McTigue’s Antiques

McTigue’s Antiques Antiques dealer in Alnwick Vintage & Antique, Alnwick, Northumberland UK

I bought this lovely mid century painting by Violet Digby at auction recently, alongside a painting by Karen Wallbank wh...
03/06/2026

I bought this lovely mid century painting by Violet Digby at auction recently, alongside a painting by Karen Wallbank who I have featured before.

This is a mountain landscape possibly a watercolour sketch. The paint technique is reminiscent of later Vanessa Bell and before I looked at the back I joked “could this be Bloomsbury?” Imagine my delight to discover that Violet M. Digby was an accomplished painter who had trained at Hastings School of Art, the Slade and the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris . She travelled in Norway (where this is set) in the early 1950s, then visited Kashmir and corresponded with Nehru before her death in 1960. She was a member of the St Ives Society of Artists and The Pastel Society. The Nehru Centre in London held a posthumous exhibition of her work in 2016..

This interesting watercolour will be on sale on my stand in Alnwick Vintage & Antique this week.



.uk .adam.perchard

Summer! The perfect dish for asparagus and the perfect image of strawberries and cream.Both available today in Alnwick V...
23/05/2026

Summer! The perfect dish for asparagus and the perfect image of strawberries and cream.
Both available today in Alnwick Vintage & Antique . Open today 10-5.
Open Bank Holiday Monday 11-4.
☀️ ☀️

This is a nineteenth century mourning brooch. The centre section contains intricately plaited hair as a perpetual remind...
20/05/2026

This is a nineteenth century mourning brooch. The centre section contains intricately plaited hair as a perpetual reminder of the person who has passed away. It’s mounted behind crystal and encircled by polished, faceted Whitby jet and mounted in gold or pinchbeck.

I find these objects fascinating, they originate in Georgian times but reached the height of popularity in the Victorian era after Queen Victoria set the fashion for elaborate mourning dress and customs following the death of her husband, Prince Albert.

Sadly the story of who this brooch memorialises is lost, but it’s a very beautiful token celebrating eternal love.

Mugs! Two examples of humble drinking vessels which are highly sought after today. First up is an Art Nouveau Tudric Pew...
13/05/2026

Mugs! Two examples of humble drinking vessels which are highly sought after today. First up is an Art Nouveau Tudric Pewter Ale Tankard No. 066. Designed by Oliver Baker for Liberty & Co., but often credited to Archibald Knox, this is a lovely piece with sinuous curves dating to the earliest period of Tudric and appeared in the 1903 catalogue.
Also made for ale or cider are these Mochaware tankards with the tree or fernlike ‘dendritic’ pattern, often on a white background with blue and beige bandings. (Photo 3.) Used in pubs and taverns from 1800 until the early 20th century, these mugs have excise duty marks which show their capacity, half pint, pint or quart (two pints). This one dates from around 1910. On sale in Alnwick Vintage & Antique from today. Open 10-5. Cheers!

Tang horses are based on iconic 7th-10th century Chinese terracotta tomb figures. They symbolize strength, speed, power,...
06/05/2026

Tang horses are based on iconic 7th-10th century Chinese terracotta tomb figures. They symbolize strength, speed, power, and high status, often rendered in sancai (three-color) glaze or painted with white slip. These figurines often depict horses with flared nostrils, arched necks, and active poses, representing the vital military power and cultural prosperity of the Tang dynasty and I have three good examples in Alnwick Vintage & Antique this week.
In a range of sizes which present a stunning tableau when grouped together, these figurines are proud and with pricked ears, strong bodies and arched necks. This is the Chinese year of the horse, specifically the fire horse, and these fiery, energetic Tang horses personify it perfectly.

Shop open daily (except Sundays) 10-5.

Just back from a great holiday visiting my family in Colorado. Here’s some snapshots to give a flavour of the amazing la...
27/04/2026

Just back from a great holiday visiting my family in Colorado. Here’s some snapshots to give a flavour of the amazing landscapes, countryside and mountains. Plus views of beautiful Golden, visits to and for antique shopping and the majestic lions . Special mention goes to their beloved and very patient dog, Aspen the Aussie Shepherd.

This beautiful Art Deco flask is silvered so when the light streams through it you can appreciate it’s opulence. French ...
22/04/2026

This beautiful Art Deco flask is silvered so when the light streams through it you can appreciate it’s opulence. French in origin there is a textured surface to the glass with the silver apparently etched into this. The subjects of an Ancient Greek style woman with a greyhound are typical of design of the period.
This very lovely thing is on sale on my stand in Alnwick Vintage & Antique . Open daily 10-5 (closed Sundays).

This large planished silver plated tazza was produced in the 1930s in the arts and crafts style by J.B. Chatterley & Son...
15/04/2026

This large planished silver plated tazza was produced in the 1930s in the arts and crafts style by J.B. Chatterley & Sons Ltd. The company started in the 1850s, established in Birmingham by John Bishop Chatterley. First a manufacturer of glass and japanned goods, but soon transitioning to crafting silver and electroplated items by 1894.

Known for their attention to detail and Celtic decoration and the company’s ability to create innovative designs their commitment to quality means their items are sought after by collectors, continuing to be a respected name in the industry.

The tazza is in excellent condition and would make a great centrepiece on any polished wood surface such as a mahogany dining table or oak hall chest.

Available now in Alnwick Vintage & Antique. Open daily (except Sundays) 10-5.

Some more photos of this fabulous Crown Ducal planter designed by Charlotte Rhead (one of the renowned “pottery ladies”)...
10/04/2026

Some more photos of this fabulous Crown Ducal planter designed by Charlotte Rhead (one of the renowned “pottery ladies”). This is in a pattern called “Stitch” which was produced between 1934 and 1936. This particular piece is a very large size (21cm plus in height) and has not been used for its original purpose as there are very few signs of wear.

The design is very striking and is firmly rooted in Art Deco geometric shapes and colours. Using a palette of scarlet, yellow, orange and black with a mottled orange interior it cleverly mimics cloth patches stitched onto the ceramic surface in an almost surreal way.

Stitch proved to be the third most popular design of all of Charlotte Rhead’s Crown Ducal output despite its short period in production which probably ceased as the company started to make Coronation china for Edward VIII/George VI. Rose Cumberbatch, a tube-liner of the time, said in a letter that the quantity made was enough “to sink a boat”. (from Bernard Bumpus book on Charlotte Rhead). With thanks to Ian Newton on Rhead-crownducal.blogspot.com

A quick look at my stand in Alnwick Vintage & Antique today. Lots to choose from, open from 10-5.
08/04/2026

A quick look at my stand in Alnwick Vintage & Antique today. Lots to choose from, open from 10-5.

Address

Alnwick Vintage & Antique
Alnwick

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when McTigue’s Antiques posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to McTigue’s Antiques:

Shortcuts

Share

Category