One of the beautiful houses where Pembridge Road meets Portobello Road
Today’s post is very special, as we are visiting Portobello Market on an early Saturday morning, when all the traders are only just setting up their stalls and the air is filled with excitement ahead of the market day. I arrived at Notting Hill Gate around 8am, as I would be accompanying one of the fine antique jewellery traders at his stall for a few hours.
Portobello Road
The traders are busy setting up their stalls for the day
As I walked down Portobello Road I passed other stands that were just being set up. The road was packed with parked vans that were being unloaded with all the glorious things that make up this legendary market every Saturday.
The wonderful food market on Portobello Road
I continued a bit further down past all the antique shops and came up to the famous food market, where the heavenly smell of newly baked bread filled the air, mixed with the sweet smell of strawberries, mangoes and the most exotic fruits and berries.
Vintage bags being unpacked at Portobello Road
I have written another post about Portobello Market – the guide to finding your way around there – but I think that every visit is so amazing as you always discover new things, stands and have a fun chat with some of the traders!
Portobello Market wonders
I just had to photograph the facades of the houses along Portobello Road, as the first morning sunshine hit them so beautifully with its warm light.
Antique Gold Rings, Portobello Market, London
So the purpose of my visit was to show you the fine antique jewellery that is for sale at Portobello Market, and I think we should start with this collection of gold rings with various gemstones. I love wearing big cocktail rings to parties as they can be so OTT – but then become beautiful statement pieces when worn with subtle outfits.
Such a beautiful pair of Art Nouveau diamond earrings
I adore these Art Nouveau dropdown earrings with diamonds. By now we are familiar with Art Nouveau-design, which is often very intricate with nature inspired shapes:
Art Nouveau butterfly necklace with sapphires and diamonds *sigh*
Earring heaven is coming up below! Would you say that you prefer Art Deco or Art Nouveau jewellery?
Loving these aquamarine and diamond earrings
Antique emerald and diamond earrings
Antique diamond earrings
Selection of antique jewellery at Portobello Market
This is what fine antique jewellery displays often look like. So much to choose from with a glorious range of gemstones, and precious metals. You can also see some more period typical Art Nouveau jewellery in the middle and towards the top of this photo. For example the locket where you insert a photo of a loved one (it is empty in the photo above).
Antique diamond dress clips
If you look closely at the picture above you can see a dress clip with diamonds in the middle of the picture. Those were very popular around the turn of the century, among the fashionable ladies who would fasten them on each side of their dress, at the bottom of the dress straps at the front, to keep the dress sitting correctly.
At the top right of the photo you have a pair of golden earrings with amethysts, with the typical screw on earrings. And need I even mention all the glorious cocktail rings on the far left at the back?
Antique engagement rings
For those of you hunting for antique engagement rings this is definitely the place to visit. The traders are always happy to advise on the different designs and the price ranges go from a few hundred pounds up to… well I will leave that to your imagination! Here are some sparkling beauties – accompanied by an Art Deco diamond and sapphire bracelet . If anything in this – or any other post on the blog – takes your fancy, do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will put you in touch with the right antique dealers.
I hope that inspires you to wear something fabulous this weekend my dear!
Decades of Elegance 