To reserve an item email: alligatormilitaria@gmail.com or text: +44 (0)7970 273034

Art Deco era ladies leather motoring hat

Dating from around the 1920s - beautifully made in soft leather with contrasting stitching and leather covered decorative buttons, lined throughout in black cotton fabric.

Overall the condition is very pleasing although there are a number of issues: One of the buttons is missing on the left side and of the two on the right, one has folded in on itself. The leather surface has become scuffed along the fold line at the back during storage, the chin strap has come away from the retaining rivet above the buckle (doesn't affect fastening). In our honest opinion these issues are relatively minor and virtually unnoticeable on display. This is so stylish - straight from the Great Gatsby era and a luxury item in its day. No labels. Quite a large size, possible to accommodate a scarf.

£85.00 + £4.20 P&P UK

1930s era Stratnoid / Stratton foil backed compact

Scarce Welsh girl in traditional dress.

On the internal cover: Reg. design No. 767198 STRATNOID Made in England

Stratton was founded in 1860 as Stratnoid, a company that specialised in manufacturing knitting needles. In 1920 it merged with Jarret and Rainsford and traded as Stratton and Stratton of Mayfair. In the early 1920s it began assembling compacts from components sourced in America, but by the 1930s all Stratton compacts were being manufactured in their entirety at their Birmingham works. The superior workmanship and the fabulous range of styles and designs became legendary, and Stratton were ultimately responsible for producing half of all compacts manufactured in the UK.

This compact appears to have had little use with no outward signs of regular handling. There is a minor mark on the mirror which is not immediately obvious, a small faint mark on the applicator, and an area of light surface corrosion / loss of finish (2cm wide and ranging from 2mm to 7mm at its deepest point) inside the powder well, hidden by the rotating cover. There is also a slight loss of finish on the inner bezel. Nevertheless this is in overall very pleasing condition, particularly as all outer surfaces are bright, and scratch free. 

Dia: 5.2cm £80.00 + £4.90 P&P UK

Mid century Joan Lea Creations African woman head vase

Jet black ceramic vase with hand painted 22ct. gold highlights and bright crimson lips. Kitsch yet so cool, the flamboyant fifties style is evidence of the changing times after the gloom of the war years.

This vase was produced in two sizes, this being the smaller version - the numeral 2 can be found impressed into the lower part of the back of the neck. In absolutely fantastic condition with no loss of gold and no chips or cracks.

H:12 x W:10.5cm £40.00 + £4.70 P&P UK

USSR balancing circus bear figurine

Desirable 1960s/70s pottery figurine manufactured at the Koniakov Kalinin Faience Factory which made a name for itself for its artistic flair. Established in 1809, the factory won the Grand Prix at the Great World Exposition in Paris in 1937, the artists winning gold medals together with the highest accolades for their work. These eye-catching figurines were hand painted and therefore no two examples are identical often varying to some degree in both shade of colour and application. A collection of these can display interesting variations.

The back stamp Made in USSR together with the 'green sprig' foliage mark over 3NK (Zeke or Zik mark) are bold and crisp and date this to between 1962 - 1974. The number 36 can be seen (better with a magnifying glass) near the vent hole. We believe this number was probably allocated to the person who painted it. This is a great example in lovely condition with no chips or cracks.

Height: 14cm approx. £40.00 + £4.79 P&P UK

Vintage 10-point Eckenstein wrought iron climbing crampons by Stubai, Austria

Named after their inventor, Oscar Eckenstein. A respected mountaineer and bouldering pioneer, Oscar Eckenstein famously led the first serious attempt on K2 in 1902. In 1908, working with Italian blacksmith Henry Grivel, he designed what is considered to be the forerunner of the modern-day crampon. With 10 long, sharp spikes, they were attached to hiking boots, allowing the user to literally walk up mountains, Previously, climbers cut steps in the ice with axes to make progress. Compared to modern crampons these appear cumbersome but were, without doubt, innovative. Henry Grivel helped Eckenstein make the product commercially available and in 1938, Grivel's son Laurent altered the design to include two front spikes - the 12-point crampon proving even more efficient. The points on this set vary in length depending on their position from 3cm - 4cm.

Overall surface rust to ironwork, but nothing serious (treated with ACF-50). The maroon coloured leatherwork (single application of saddle soap) has darkened in places but remains supple with very little surface wear or cracks. Karabiner for attaching crampons to belt when not required. Stamped on each crampon: 44, Made in Austria, STUBAI (diamond logo) and ECKENSTEIN.

£85.00 + £6.30 P&P UK

Vintage laboratory cork press

Born out of an amalgamation of two companies in 1954, Griffin & George became one of the largest laboratory equipment and chemical wholesalers in the world. This cast iron press is designed to reduce the diameter of corks evenly to fit into bottle necks without increasing the porosity. ‘Ghost marks’ can be seen on the back of the solid wheel indicating the casting mould was a simplified version of an earlier Victorian design which was pierced to create ‘wavy’ spokes.

Minor loss to hammer finish silver paint and slight surface corrosion, otherwise nice vintage condition - this could be an interesting and unusual desk ornament. Heavy item at over 2.6kgs.

With handle up - H:30.5 / Handle down - H:15.8 x W:6.5 x L:34.5cm

£28.00 + £9.99 P&P UK

Vintage cobbler's last on metal stand

Wooden shoe last - the underside inset with steel heel and toe plates and a leather pad applied at the ankle. The stand comprises a substantial metal plate with welded on post, finished in black lacquer and a black velour lining to the base. Numeral 9 is stamped into the wood in two places.

The wood has an oiled finish which highlights both the grain and the flowing shape and also evidence of its previous work life to which the simple 'rustic' stand harmonises so well.

A great example of repurposing / appropriation - a humble vintage tool can be an attractive object when displayed ‘in its own light’.

H:17 x W:9.5 x L:27cm

£30.00 + £4.20 P&P UK