Whether it’s searching among thousands of antique lamps, tables, chairs, chests and jewelry in a frenetic street market, or quietly locating that perfect dinner plate or curio in a small, boutique shop, there’s a special joy in antique hunting. These are 10 of our favorite spots around the world to browse for that perfect treasure.
1. Le Monde Du Voyage, Serpette Market, Paris
This famous stand at the colorful Serpette Market has lured antique hunters for over 25 years. Enjoy fabulous antique luggage and accessories like 19th Century Louis Vuitton Damier trunks, limited edition Goyards, 1960s Kelly bags, 1940s Hermes bags and trunks… the list is endless.
2. The Upper East Side is synonymous with old money and metropolitan elegance, and BK Antiques embraces that history with its fabulous collection. Run by Barbara Kirshbaum, who worked for years at Sentimento Antiques (another favorite which recently closed), many of these pieces could just as easily belong in a museum.
3. Lawson-Fenning, Los Angeles
Tucked in the heart of Silver Lake, Lawson-Fenning is a shop with mostly heirloom-quality accessories and handcrafted home furnishings from artisans around Los Angeles. If you live near here and love antiques, it’s definitely a place you don’t want to miss.
You might see the likes of fashionistas Kate Moss, Florence Welch or Yoko Ono browsing at Rellik, a must-stop shop for high-end antiques and clothing. They specialize in unique designer pieces that are either hard to find or out of production, including a large selection of Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto.
In design-centric West Hollywood, Blackman Cruz stands out for its wonderful assortment of chic pieces. You almost feel as if you’ve walked into an Edgar Allen Poe story; the place is a dark, mysterious gallery of eye-catching clothing, coffee tables, mirrors, hats and much more.
This London street market attracts early risers each Friday, who come and line up early in search of antique treasures. A row of old warehouses on Tower Bridge Road houses the best spots to shop, though be forewarned – by 9 AM, most of the best pieces will already have disappeared!
7. Alfies Antique Market, London
Alfies on Church Street is a fun and more relaxed spot to shop for gifts, with everything from second-hand China to incredible costume jewelry and antique chandeliers. For more than 30 years people have flocked here to get their fill of colorful curiosities and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere.
8. San Telmo Market, Buenos Aires
Walk the cobblestone streets of San Telmo on a Sunday morning and be treated to incredible antiques from across Europe and South America, plus street performers, tango music and an array of delicious eats. It’s one of the liveliest antique fairs you’ll find anywhere.
9. JF Chen Antiques, Los Angeles
As you might imagine, Hollywood’s storied history has left a lot of discarded but incredible items along the way; one of the best places to find them is at JF Chen’s, a shop full of wonderful pieces, from vintage lamps to a diverse selection of dressers and coffee tables.
Located in underground vaults on Chancery Lane, this is one of the most exquisite silver collections you will ever see. Every period and style imaginable is represented here, and each piece is authenticated by silver and antique specialists. It’s like a museum where everything is for sale!
