Asian Artefacts, 9 Rua Dos Negociantes, Coloane Main Street (tel 853 881 022)
Asian Artefacts sits along the main street linking Coloane Square and St Xavier's church. The street is more a cosy lane than a main thoroughfare, with just a handful of shops running along it. Asian Artefacts specialises in antiques, selling restored Chinese pieces, plus a few artefacts from around the region.
Owner Anita Lauder set up the shop in the late 1970s, and has since built up a trusted network of contacts in China to restore the antiques she finds during her regular visits to the mainland. Each piece of furniture is accompanied by a 'before' and 'after' photograph, to assure customers that the pieces are genuine antiques. Most of the pieces are about 100 to 150 years old, and range from one-seater stools to side pieces, wardrobes and chairs.
Ms Lauder affixes what she considers a fair price for a genuine antique. A wardrobe goes for about $5,000. She has built up a steady client base over the years, which includes private individuals, designers and dealers.
Customers unable to visit the shop can ask to have photographs and details sent by e-mail. Shipments can be arranged to any part of the world. A bonus to visiting Ms Lauder's shop in Coloane is that the owner is a good person to ask about restaurants and places to visit in Macau.
Apartments may not be on everyone's shopping list, but it is true that many Hong Kong and mainland visitors popping to Macau are snapping up flats there. People are realising the potential of property investment in a place that is preparing itself for bigger things.
In addition, an influx of construction workers, brought in to build an array of entertainment complexes in Macau, is fuelling the property boom. Warren Rooke, who is well informed about the property market (and is the husband of Asian Artefacts' owner Anita Lauder), says another reason for Macau's property boom is a special government scheme under which, for $1 million, investors can apply for residency.
