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City awash with Art Deco pieces
By Yang Di and Cerelia Lim |
June 13, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IN past issues, we ran a series featuring Art Deco buildings in the city. As an architectural style that was the symbol of modernism in the 1930s, it is impossible today to recreate a building of that era. But there are some establishments that trade in Art Deco furniture, for those who harbor a desire to reflect on this glorious period.
During the construction boom in the 1990s, these old furnishings were usually discarded or sold to a rag-and-bone man. These junk dealers would then strip off the valuable parts and resell them. But, during the past five years, people started to appreciate the value of these pieces, which are a physical testament to their heritage. They started keeping and preserving them and collectors found themselves with fewer collectables. Here are three shops where rare furnishings from this by gone period can still be purchased.
Original furniture from 1890 to 1940
Tucked away in an old garden villa is an Art Deco furniture enclave. Owner David Kao is a collector of these furniture pieces that were in vogue during the 1930s. His 80-square-meter shop Tai Gu stocks gorgeous original furniture from 1890 to 1940 that would fit anybody's home, modern or otherwise. Shanghai Art Deco is a distinct style that evolved here in the 1920s and 1930s and influenced everything from architecture to interior design and furniture. This shop features mainly Shanghai Art Deco furniture, which was strongly influenced by the generic Art Deco style mixed in with a combination of traditional Chinese furniture designs and woods. The rare examples displayed at the shop are a rosewood mahjong table, a 1903 Victor Gramophone and a 1930s Rheinmetall typewriter. The owner also stocks a collection of pieces from the Art Nouveau period.
Opening hours: 1pm-6pm(Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays)
Address: 1/F, 370 Xingguo Rd
Tel: 6280-2228
Bright ideas for your home
Within the furniture family, lamps are statement pieces that are relatively easy to match when retrofitting a room. Although Shanghai Art Deco carries furnishings from the by-gone glorious era of this city, the majority of this shop's pieces are lamps. Pan Zhizhong, the owner, and his wife have been in the trade for 20 years. In the early days, they would source these items from shikumen (stone-gated) houses and buildings that were torn down for redevelopment. However, in recent years, people started to appreciate the value and artistry of these furnishings and were reluctant to sell them to traders like Pan. Nonetheless, do not dismiss this shop as another "fake, touristy" market due to its location. His shop on Dongtai Road is a window to his warehouse on Zizhong Road. A lamp from the 1930s sells between 4,000 yuan (US$585.78) and 5,000 yuan.
Opening hours: 10am-5pm
Address: 107 Zizhong Rd
Tel: 1590-0644-637
Shop feels more like a cozy house
If searching for Art Deco treasures from the past is your passion, you'll want to explore Antiques Garden, a treasure trove of old, collectable furniture. The two-story store and cafe is fitted out in old Shanghai style, exuding a welcoming ambience that is more like being in a home than a furniture shop. The high-quality furniture and accessories passed down from the 1930s era is well displayed, with prices starting from 1,000 yuan. A restoration service is offered. The relaxed backyard cafe is another highlight and one of the most enjoyable outdoor places you can go for a Sunday afternoon tea.
Opening hours: 11am-10:30pm (Sunday to Thursday); 11am-11:30pm (Friday, Saturday)
Address: 44 Sinan Rd
Tel: 5382-1055
During the construction boom in the 1990s, these old furnishings were usually discarded or sold to a rag-and-bone man. These junk dealers would then strip off the valuable parts and resell them. But, during the past five years, people started to appreciate the value of these pieces, which are a physical testament to their heritage. They started keeping and preserving them and collectors found themselves with fewer collectables. Here are three shops where rare furnishings from this by gone period can still be purchased.
Original furniture from 1890 to 1940
Tucked away in an old garden villa is an Art Deco furniture enclave. Owner David Kao is a collector of these furniture pieces that were in vogue during the 1930s. His 80-square-meter shop Tai Gu stocks gorgeous original furniture from 1890 to 1940 that would fit anybody's home, modern or otherwise. Shanghai Art Deco is a distinct style that evolved here in the 1920s and 1930s and influenced everything from architecture to interior design and furniture. This shop features mainly Shanghai Art Deco furniture, which was strongly influenced by the generic Art Deco style mixed in with a combination of traditional Chinese furniture designs and woods. The rare examples displayed at the shop are a rosewood mahjong table, a 1903 Victor Gramophone and a 1930s Rheinmetall typewriter. The owner also stocks a collection of pieces from the Art Nouveau period.
Opening hours: 1pm-6pm(Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays)
Address: 1/F, 370 Xingguo Rd
Tel: 6280-2228
Bright ideas for your home
Within the furniture family, lamps are statement pieces that are relatively easy to match when retrofitting a room. Although Shanghai Art Deco carries furnishings from the by-gone glorious era of this city, the majority of this shop's pieces are lamps. Pan Zhizhong, the owner, and his wife have been in the trade for 20 years. In the early days, they would source these items from shikumen (stone-gated) houses and buildings that were torn down for redevelopment. However, in recent years, people started to appreciate the value and artistry of these furnishings and were reluctant to sell them to traders like Pan. Nonetheless, do not dismiss this shop as another "fake, touristy" market due to its location. His shop on Dongtai Road is a window to his warehouse on Zizhong Road. A lamp from the 1930s sells between 4,000 yuan (US$585.78) and 5,000 yuan.
Opening hours: 10am-5pm
Address: 107 Zizhong Rd
Tel: 1590-0644-637
Shop feels more like a cozy house
If searching for Art Deco treasures from the past is your passion, you'll want to explore Antiques Garden, a treasure trove of old, collectable furniture. The two-story store and cafe is fitted out in old Shanghai style, exuding a welcoming ambience that is more like being in a home than a furniture shop. The high-quality furniture and accessories passed down from the 1930s era is well displayed, with prices starting from 1,000 yuan. A restoration service is offered. The relaxed backyard cafe is another highlight and one of the most enjoyable outdoor places you can go for a Sunday afternoon tea.
Opening hours: 11am-10:30pm (Sunday to Thursday); 11am-11:30pm (Friday, Saturday)
Address: 44 Sinan Rd
Tel: 5382-1055
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