Where to find antique furniture in Bangalore

August 28, 2017 10:00 am | Updated 10:00 am IST

Nostalgia is always the best-seller in any form. Perhaps, that’s one of the main reasons why antique stores continue to do so well! Your house gains a certain charm through antique décor; a certain otherworldly atmosphere drenched in the memories of good times.

Today, antique stores are also more popularly known as vintage or memorabilia stores, and they stock up not just on period furniture but every little tidbit imaginable, from matchboxes to posters to musical instruments that will light up the past. So, if you are looking to have some antiques in your house, here are the top stores in Bangalore where you are sure to find some gems. 

Natesan’s Antiquarts

 

One of the oldest and most popular antique shops in India, Natesan’s was started in 1930 in Chennai. The late T. N. Natesan was an enterprising entrepreneur who saw the rising interest in collector’s items and antiques among the British. He started off by selling hand-carved ivory buttons and soon caught the eye of a British woman who helped him set up shop at the Spencer’s Hotel (now the Taj Connemara).  

By then, Natesan had expanded to buying and selling antiques, and soon he was mentored by the professional painter, Svetoslav Roerich. Since then, there has been no looking back, and today you can find Natesan’s in multiple cities in India. 

What you can find:  

Natesan’s has a great collection of original antiques as well as object d’arts fashioned in traditional styles by highly skilled craftsmen in bronze, iron, silver, and other metals.

Where : 76, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bengaluru-560001

Qurio City

Started by S V Ramachandran in 2006 "out of sheer passion", Qurio City is named after one of his favourite author’s books, Charles Dickens’ ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’.

Formerly an Indian Air Force employee, Ramachandran has always been passionate about history and heritage. Travelling extensively during his IAF days, he has obtained rare artefacts from all over India, many times by visiting Sunday flea markets. His love for collecting curios stems from his childhood days, and over the years, he has become the proud owner of rare stamps, watches, LPs, paintings, books, and carpets, amongst other things.  

Given Ramachandran’s ardent love for all things historic, his shop will leave you spoilt for choice.  

What you can find:

You can find everything from dowry chests to the doors belonging to the house of the Mysore Maharaja’s concubine to vintage posters in this shop, which itself is set in a house that is more than a 100 years old. Gramophone players dating to 1908, a copy of The Discovery of India signed by Jawaharlal Nehru, a 150-year-old cuckoo clock and old radios are some of the many treasures you can find in this quaint little shop. Oh, and you can also repurpose some of your old furniture here and reuse them again in different avatars. 

Where : #101 K Kamaraj Road, Bangalore 560042

Mahaveer Antiques

Mahaveer Chand’s antique store is obscure with no signboard announcing its presence. But its products are not. This nameless shop stands out only due to its electric blue walls, peeling plaster, and its array of items that allure a passerby to come in and take a look.  

Originally, this was a shop set up in their own house by Mahaveer’s father Roopchand Sethyaji sometime in the late 1940s for his money lending business. Among the many things that people pawned for money were precious personal possessions, including priceless heirlooms. A young Mahaveer began to take notice of some of the vintage items and took a serious interest in collecting and preserving them. After his father passed away, Mahaveer built up the business and concentrated on buying and selling antiques. His shop is now filled with the little marvels he has acquired from dealers shutting shop, old houses being demolished, and people who have wanted to sell things in their houses.  

What you can find:

Mahaveer’s has brass utensils from Karaikudi, grandfather clocks, vintage pocket watches, old cameras, and furniture.

Where : 26, Berlie Street, Near Sudha Chats, Langford Road, B. Nanjappa Circle, Shantinagar

Dhakshini Antiques

Established more than 30 years ago, Dhakshini Antiques has every vintage piece of furniture you can think of. Started by Sudha and Chandru, it is now in the hands of their daughter Preetha Chandrasekaran. Inspired by their love for everything classic and traditional, the family would pick up South Indian vintage pieces during their trips.  

Today, the shop does a lot of restoration work with the help of skilled craftsmen. Preetha also designs furniture and show pieces in the traditional mould but with a contemporary touch in terms of utility. She uses a lot of reclaimed wood and metal and retains the original shape and texture of the piece to the fullest extent possible. 

Where : 3/11, Artillery Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore

The Vintage Shop

Amar Collections is a tiny, two-room shop hidden away in a corner of Bangalore and is one of the oldest in the city, having opened its doors in 1996. But don’t judge the shop by its size. It bursts at its seams with antique furniture, including Georgian high chairs and Victorian sofas. Chairs, book cases, tables etc., line the store inviting you to hear the stories they have to tell.  

Amar Mangharam is the man behind the shop, which he started with his own, burgeoning personal collection of vintage items.  

What you can find:

The shop has some interesting furniture like newsstands, rolltop desks, exquisitely handcrafted cabinets, and plush arm chairs. He will also tailor make your furniture as per your design for you. 

Where : HAL Airport Rd, Rustam Bagh Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560017    

 

This article is contributed by RoofandFloor , part of KSL Digital Ventures Pvt. Ltd., from The Hindu Group

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