well after a weekend of finals in sport, snooker,tennis,formula one
and the rugby ( hello guys south africa won)..so what do we find here today is a stunning oil on canvas by the well known British artist Victor Elford and it is now in the shop under european art,have a peek.
Victor elford was born in Plymouth of an old Devonshire family,his early life was spent amoung the Chiltern Hills where his love of landscape painting was obviously influenced by the beautiful woodland scenery that surrounded him.
Elford was an interior decorator and furniture designer and had ample opportunity to incorporate murals into his schemes and designs.His art is entirely self taught and had painted many murals for big passenger liners...So i guess by now they would have scuttled many of them and one wonders what happened to his art.
He has also held many one man exhibitions and today his art is well sought after.
During the second world war while serving his country his ship was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic.He landed up in West Africa where he was tremendously impressed by the great beauty that surrounded him.
He firmly believes ,however,that all worthwhile art incorporates beauty of line and crafmanship and should convey all the influences on the subject of the primary elements of nature.
So i guess this peaceful painting is just that,that he describes.
The scene painted here was done in ...The Tamar at Cotehele.

with the weekend a few days away and some more tennis in Basel i will be watching and supporting that dishy Roger Federer and hoping he is back on form...well what can one really say about this giant which has not been said already.

well once again it was a happy hunting ground and i found this wonderful carraige clock on the "flea" market in Zurich.
Why "flea"? The most stupid thing i ever heard about the sale of this clock was a comment passed by a man who said...why is this clock so expensive...this is a flea market?
Well i bought it and am delighted as it was made by the world renowned London clock makers...Charles Frodsham ..makers to the Queen.(that is the real Queen ,...not just any old queen)and i paid the asking price..below 400sfr...what a gift.The enamel face is signed Charles Frodsham London and it repeats on the half and the hour. perfect working condition.

A little further down to way i came across a stunning Persian carpet in stunning condition with soft colors aged at over 100 years.The medalions were centred with flowers and in the centre of the carpet with a deer.At an asking price of 180sfr.This carpet took at least 3/4 months to make so price that out at a cleaners salary 25sfr an hour.Thats a fair price i would have thought...but no..!! a carpet dealer offered the poor man a measly 50sfr.
My advice to a very stupid man...who also uses that term "flea" go back home and get into bed.

My best buys are from other dealers and YES the flea markets are now selling better and upmarket goods.Well worth a visit.
Happy hunting and remember not all is "flea" at the Zurich, Burkliplatz market.
P.S. the carpet was sold close to the asking price!! A very good buy.