Antique Shops In Bangkok

[Hermano Lobo]

Does anybody know where the antique shops are in Bangkok ?

I have been told that they are near the river.

Chatuchak market use to have a couple ?

Thanks

[ColPyat]

Does anybody know where the antique shops are in Bangkok ?

I have been told that they are near the river.

Chatuchak market use to have a couple ?

Thanks

There are lots. But you have to know what you buy. Plenty of fakes around. River city near the Shangri La has countless shops, the highest prices, but still many fakes. Chatuchak has many shops, low to high prices, plenty of fakes. There are many other places in Bangkok, specialised in mostly in religious artifacts, but there you have to speak Thai, much cheaper, but also plenty of fakes.

[qualtrough]

I had a friend who was studying Asian art at the grad school level. I asked how they could tell what was real and what wasn't as far as Asian art. He told me that very often you can't, and that often the only reliable method was by tracing provenance, i.e. tracing the chain of ownership back to an artwork's origins. Very unlikely that could be done or trusted here, and more than likely if it could you would find that it was stolen at some point.

As far as more modern or Western antiques, everything I have seen is way, way overpriced, and usually in poor shape.

I believe you will find some antique shops still at Jatujak. There also used to be some clustered along New Road and in the Thieves Market area of Chinatown. If you can find one of the Nancy Chandler maps of BKK that might be a good start.

[ColPyat]

I had a friend who was studying Asian art at the grad school level. I asked how they could tell what was real and what wasn't as far as Asian art. He told me that very often you can't, and that often the only reliable method was by tracing provenance, i.e. tracing the chain of ownership back to an artwork's origins. Very unlikely that could be done or trusted here, and more than likely if it could you would find that it was stolen at some point.

That definitively is true, especially for the higher priced and highly collective fields. There are still though many fields that are not collected much, and not that expensive.

90% of what is available on the open market is untraceable, grey market at best, mostly smuggled. Unless you know a buyer well that you can trust, who did buy from the source, there is no way of knowing.

Obviously there is the moral issue as well.

Nowadays i do not collect anything anymore that came from illegal digs, i started feeling a bit uncomfortable with myself, even though small time amateur collectors like me are not the reason those digs exist. My collection now is more directed towards more recent folk art type things, and some other specialized fields (50 to 100 something years old mostly), no archaeological value, and things that are maybe better preserved at my home as they otherwise would rot away, because they are not appreciated anymore by the cultures.

[Hermano Lobo]

Many thanks for your replies.

Can anybody recommend a museum where I will see some genuine stuff?

I would have visited Thai museums before but I have been side-tracked by aspects of Thai-life, I can't remember what ?

I spend a lot of time in the British Museum, so something similar would be interesting.

Cheers

Brother Wolf

Edited May 22, 2007 by Hermano Lobo

[pumpuiman]

If you ever get up to Isaan, Pimai is about 45 minutes Northeast of Korat .

Phimai museum is part of the Thai National Museum chain. In an attempt to ensure that local artefacts benefit the local population, the Thai National museums Division sponsors museums in regions of great cultural or archaeological significance. Issan (North East Thailand) and Phimai in particular qualifies under both categories. As a result the National Museum at Phimai is much grander and better stocked than one might expect to find in a provincial Thai town (even one of such great historical significance). Flanked on one side by the Moon river and on another by one of several large Ancient ponds which used to provide water for Phimai’s citizens, with gardens that provide a satisfying blend of shade and beauty, the museum building is a traditional, stylish, Thai design. The museum is the centre for cultural heritage in Issan (it gets all the best relics from around North-East Thailand) and so it’s exhibitions, artefacts and information can complete the picture of many aspects of Esan civilisation and history, it really should be seen by anyone who has visited the area and would like knowledge to go with their memories and pictures.

Some other Pimai inormation

[alleypanda]

Naga House located in an old colonial house Soi Ongkarak 13, Samsen Road tel: 662-669 3416-8, 669 3493-4, fax: 662-669 3377.

[rak sa_ngop]

I used to like going to River City just to view the huge castings amd worm holed wooden carvings. My favourite was the stuffed 2 headed sheep/goat. I haven't seen it for a few years now, so somebody must have bought it!

[Heng]

Recommend River City and the River City auction house.