Specialist South African Antique Dealer

Because of this country’s diverse cultures – from indigenous inhabitants to immigrants from all over the world – and its rich, interesting history, South Africa antique dealers across this southern tip of the African continent have an ongoing demand for collectable pieces of all types, periods and styles.

This reflection of the rainbow nation’s heritage and diverse preferences is indeed something to be treasured, just as dealers and our customers in South Africa set great store by the fine antiques which we trade and collect.

Antiques

Although “antique” typically refers to items which are at least 100 years old, there are certain exceptions to this universally accepted rule, cars being one and books another. A minimum age of 160 years applies to books for them be classified thus.

As from the age of 20 years, cars are defined as “classic”. Once they reach 25 years of age, they may be referred to as “antique” in America, although this is not a hard and fast rule. Most often, the term refers to furniture and works of art which are of required age and display workmanship, manufacturing techniques and styles which reflect a particular bygone period in history.

They are valued and valuable because of their age, condition, rarity, beauty, craftsmanship, attention to detail, characteristics, purpose and association – either on a personal, emotional level or as a piece of history.

The rarer an original piece is, the higher the price it will fetch. As more years pass, its value and desirability will increase, making its acquisition a sound investment. When in doubt about period, price and authenticity, ask a reputable dealer, like our company, for expert advice and evaluation.

Depending on what it is and its condition, restoration may increase or decrease its value, so it is wise to seek expert advice first, before undertaking any restoration. Persian rugs are an example illustrating the fact that wear and tear due to age, and use, does not detract from value and may enhance it, therefore making restoration is strictly a no-no.

Collectable antique pieces typically include drawings, paintings, sketches, weapons, mirrors and frames, carpets and rugs, grooming aids, jewellery, clothing, furniture and decorative objects, crockery, utensils, ornaments and implements, carriages and wagons.

Vintage

Opinions seem to vary about the age of vintage objects, with some claiming that items of more than 20 years would qualify, whilst others set the bar at 50 years of age. Many will use “classic” and “vintage” interchangeably, but another essence of vintage merchandise includes its characteristic portrayal of a specific era.

Retro

“Retro” literally implies looking backwards or into the not too distant past, currently, such as the period from the 1950s to 1980s. It is fondly evocative of these times and many people still alive today were born or growing up during the retro era, remembering much of this once familiar style with nostalgia.

Many items were disparagingly discarded at “kitsch”, once they became unfashionable, and have once again become desirable in some quarters. History does indeed repeat itself.

Begin Now

Genuine antiques, such as the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Regency pieces in which we specialise, are fast becoming increasingly scarce. The best time to begin your collection is right now, so contact us or pop into our Pretoria dealership showroom and rest assured that your dream item is BADA certified, and in excellent condition for at least another 100 years and longer.