Timeless treasures
Some antiques look as good as new even though they have been used every day for 100 years or spent 50 years in a dusty, unused French chateau
Kate Davies’s career in antiques began with a 19th century mahogany butler’s tray – a piece that would have been used by the butler of a grand English estate to carry silverware from the pantry to the dining room. The events planner, who at the time was working for a large investment bank, was frustrated while trying to decorate her Hong Kong home - she couldn’t find European antiques locally and so had them shipped from Melbourne, where she had grown up. “Up came the butler’s tray and eight English dining chairs. My Hong Kong friends wanted to know where I had sourced the pieces from, they started asking if perhaps I could find more? And so, my unexpected career in antiques began.”
Last year, Davies opened her emporium Authentiques, specialising in European antique furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. “There has long been an abundance of reproduced European antiques in Asia,” Davies explains. “But if you wish to invest in the originals that have adorned the upstairs parlours and the downstairs kitchens of French chateaux and English castles in centuries long gone – finding these pieces in Hong Kong has been a challenge, and this is what Authentiques offers.”
While Davies seemingly “fell” into her new career, she had always harboured a fascination for and a love of European antiques, having grown up in a home filled with wonderful pieces – and this sensibility still guides her purchases today. “Growing up with European antique furniture in my parents’ Australian homes gave me a special appreciation for hand-crafted old pieces and for their relationship with contemporary furniture and art. It dawned on me during our first buying trip to Europe why I was naturally drawn to antiques. Everywhere we went I heard myself saying ‘my parents has one of those’ or ‘my mum has something so similar’. My parents are keen decorators and they are very clever at mixing old with new. I am never happier than when I am in their spaces and I seek out similar ambiences wherever I go: mood lighting, statement pieces, modern art, ethnic rugs, long oak dining tables, cosy armchairs, industrial stools and of course great music all beckoning guests to stay longer.”
Davies says the demand for European antiques is growing in Hong Kong, and adds this is doubly true for Asian furniture. “Asian antiques have always been popular in Hong Kong with the local Cantonese population. And also foreigners living in Hong Kong tend to purchase Chinese style furniture and antiques as they learn more about the culture. But the demand for Asian antiques is definitely changing. Mainland Chinese are buying up Chinese relics that have left their country, almost in a patriotic frenzy to return them to their rightful home. Auction houses are getting record prices for Chinese furniture in Hong Kong, the United States, even down in Australia. Interest in English and French antiques is also definitely on the increase, but it’s still early days in my opinion.”
When asked what is driving the demand for European pieces, Davies says the answer is manifold: “The Chinese are fascinated by the practical side of the furniture and by the innovative designs that were influenced by centuries-old kings and queens and their personal designers and craftsmen. Mainland Chinese are travelling more frequently to Europe and naturally learning more about the cultures, and many have been educated in those countries. Those who have recently settled in Hong Kong are moving beyond the fashion and luxury labels, they are looking for a more sophisticated product, one-of-a-kind and bespoke items. Being rare, particularly in Asia, the European antiques tick all those boxes and instantly add a superior, almost regal or well-educated dimension to their home and image.”
Alongside their beauty and individuality, antiques can also be extremely practical, even in a 21st century home. “Often, these pieces are extremely functional,” Davies says. “Furniture made from solid wood, crafted by experts can withstand the test of time. Dents, scratches, burns and everyday use add character to a piece – just as the weather, hard work and age change our bodies and faces – and there is beauty in every line. Antiques are timeless. We have pieces that look as good as new even though they were used daily for 100 years or were discovered after 50 years in a dusty, unused French chateau.”
What about décor, where do European antiques work best? Davies says they can be used in any home or room and when carefully chosen will help reflect a homeowner’s character and sensibility. “When old and new pieces are mixed, they often accentuate each other and the stark contrasts create a completely unique setting that reflects the personality of the owner. I encourage mixing the eras and styles and personally find it a lot of fun.” Davies says another way to reinvent a room is to periodically move antique pieces around. “See how they can change your mood with different light on them, surrounded by other pieces from another angle.”
Finding and purchasing antiques can be an intricate process and Davies says the first step is to ensure you work with professionals. “Provenance is important, especially if buyers are wanting their antiques to increase in value over time. Purchasers need to be wary of fakes and replicas and also look at the integrity of any repairs that may have been done. At Authentiques we host talks and courses where we offer tips on what to look for and what to avoid when buying from dealers or at auction. Overall buyers need to find a dealer they can trust just as one would in the art world.”
