Antique furniture | ExpatWoman.com
 

Antique furniture

77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 07:47

Hi ladies,
Anyone of you knows where to find antique furniture (preferably the Indian type) here in Dubai? if there are any shops would you also please help me with directions? I live not far from Emirates Mall. TIA

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 12:55
I have great experience buying from Lucky Novelties and Gifts in sharjah. The prices are worth the quality of goods that they sell, especially in comparison to places like marina that are way overpriced. For location you can call on these numbers, since its a bit tricky getting there, 050/6327051 or 050/6328750 Hope this helps :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 09:54
As someone who worked in the antiques industry for a few years - mostly in high end antiques but I have a good knowledge of the whole range of antiques - there are very, very few actual "antiques" in Dubai. Most of what is passed off as antiques are "distressed" reproductions, especially the Asian and Indian furniture and decorative objects. It's amazing how much money some stores ask for what are just knockoffs made in a factory somewhere in China, and these shops includes a couple of those outfits in Al Quoz that shall remain nameless. You're much better off buying proper antiques from vetted dealers and auction houses in the UK or the US and shipping the pieces to Dubai, and it's probably cheaper as well. But if you're just looking for "antique style" furniture, I second Lucky's and Pinky's. They have that rustic, colonial handmade look. Dubai really isn't the best place for antiques because if you want to resell the market is limited and you won't recoup your investment, or you'll need to ship the pieces back overseas. The climate here is also bad for wood furniture. Thanks for this. I kind of figured as much.
654
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 08:13
As someone who worked in the antiques industry for a few years - mostly in high end antiques but I have a good knowledge of the whole range of antiques - there are very, very few actual "antiques" in Dubai. Most of what is passed off as antiques are "distressed" reproductions, especially the Asian and Indian furniture and decorative objects. It's amazing how much money some stores ask for what are just knockoffs made in a factory somewhere in China, and these shops includes a couple of those outfits in Al Quoz that shall remain nameless. You're much better off buying proper antiques from vetted dealers and auction houses in the UK or the US and shipping the pieces to Dubai, and it's probably cheaper as well. But if you're just looking for "antique style" furniture, I second Lucky's and Pinky's. They have that rustic, colonial handmade look. Dubai really isn't the best place for antiques because if you want to resell the market is limited and you won't recoup your investment, or you'll need to ship the pieces back overseas. The climate here is also bad for wood furniture.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 16:35
There is also Pinky Furniture in Dubai very close to Mall of the Emirates who have a lot of Indian Wooden Furniture but not sure if they are Antiques...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 13:43
Lucky's in Sharjah is worth a look if you want old Indian furniture. They have old pieces, pieces put together from old wood and also newer contemporary stuff. Couldn't comment on whether any would be genuine antiques, but not sure you could have that reassurance from anywhere here. It's an interesting experience going there - three huge dirty, dusty warehouses with more furniture that you've ever seen, all stacked up and aisles just wide enough to walk through. You really have to look up, down and all around! Prices have gone up, but still a fraction of what you'd pay at Marina. Some will say the quality is not as good, but I'm very happy with everything I've had from there. Some great accessories too.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 12:38
Wasn't there a man selling unique Indian furniture at the Hayya club in Town Centre? He traveled and collected interesting pieces, restored them and added his own little details. Is he still there, anyone?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 11:30
A few friends of mine have bought some nice things from Luckys in Sharjah - though not sure if they're actually antiques or not?!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 10:11
Marina 'claim' to sell some antiques but you can never be 1005 sure! They have a big warehouse store on Um Suqeim Road on the Al Quoz side of the road. Go on the SZR take the MoE exit and follow signs for Arabian Ranches (?), keep looking on the left hand side of the road to identify the store but I think you'll need to U turn at the 3rd or 4th set of lights to get to it. If you go too far just get to the roundabout with the Al Khail Road and come back down the road again! I've been to Marina recently and was disappointed at their selection - they used to have tons of accessories and interesting ornaments - nothing like that now, just a few odd lamps and cushions, the stock amount was low.
77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 09:15
:)
133
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:57
Don't kill me though when you get there and there are selected 'pieces' in the art gallery rather than a furniture shop!!! I warned you the selection is not huge. :) You need to go up the stairs and look there too as that is where I found a lot of the European antiques were kept. The selection changes, so you just need to go in there until you find what you want. We have an Indian shisham wood cupboard (it has a pale, waxed finish) from there. It has some really beautiful carving on it, and some new mirror in the panels in the doors. It sits in our entry and stylishly houses the school bags and our breeding programme for crocs and school shoes. So much nicer than Ikea, as much as I love Ikea prices... Sharon Harvey is the owner and the shop number is 348 8797 if you want to ring ahead and see what's currently in the shop. She won't remember me from a bar of soap though, so that won't help you! :)
77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:49
Thanks SamD, reading the directions I think I know the place. I'll try to go there today, together with the Marina warehouse and see if I can get something that's worth my money
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:49
I will have to check that one out. I love antiques.
133
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:33
Jumeirah Beach Road. I can never remember the turn off, so come in Off Umm Suqueim St opp. Madinat and drive down past the Burj (heading Dubai Direction) and just keep going till I eventually get there. Big white villa on your right, with big matte gold lettering Antiques Showcase etc on the wall of the villa.
77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:25
Thank you SamD, where is Showcase Art and Antiques located?
133
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:17
And ps. Marina prices are never 'reasonable'. LOL! Just my opinion of course! But they do have sales from time to time that are worth checking out.
133
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:17
Showcase Art and Antiques have a selection too - not big, but I am satisfied that their stuff is genuine. Not just Indian stuff too, some European antiques. You just have to keep popping in every now and again and keep reminding them what you are looking for. Also keep an eye on Dubizzle. While not strictly speaking antique, I have a 1930s indian table and a similar era English oak bookcase that came via Dubizzle. Antique is out there if you stay patient and keep looking :)
77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:12
Thank you Cornish Pixie, always helpful. Are prices reasonable?
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 08:04
Marina 'claim' to sell some antiques but you can never be 1005 sure! They have a big warehouse store on Um Suqeim Road on the Al Quoz side of the road. Go on the SZR take the MoE exit and follow signs for Arabian Ranches (?), keep looking on the left hand side of the road to identify the store but I think you'll need to U turn at the 3rd or 4th set of lights to get to it. If you go too far just get to the roundabout with the Al Khail Road and come back down the road again!
 
 

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