Buy antics to keep memories fresh
Nov 08, 2007
IT can be a watch, a set of china teacups, a doormat, a pair of earrings, a pair of leather sandals, a novel — anything. But for something to qualify as an antique, it must be over 100 years old and in good working condition. <br>
By Titus Serunjogi
IT can be a watch, a set of china teacups, a doormat, a pair of earrings, a pair of leather sandals, a novel — anything. But for something to qualify as an antique, it must be over 100 years old and in good working condition.
Many items have been passed down from generation to generation and have over the years found their way into garage sales, secondhand markets, auctions and curios shops.
In some countries, people fall over themselves to buy a 100-year-old teapot. Antique auctions are often the most sought-after events that fetch millions.
To some people, an antique is a symbol of wealth and prestige. But in Kampala, the only two curios shops are chocking with precious antiques, but hardly does anyone ever drop by.
Yet whenever tourists, expatriate workers and foreign dignitaries chance on these shops, they sweep the shelves clean.
Antiques and KnickKnacks at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel has hosted the Libyan president, Col Maumar El Gaddhafi and former US secretary of state Mme Madeline Albright, among other dignitaries.
The shop stocks rings, mirrors, clocks, crystal chandeliers, wall length tapestries, Persian rugs, teacups and ship bells.
Some of the items even come complete with family logs and records of how they were passed down through the generations.
They cost between sh500 and sh5m; but one can also bargain. Andretta Antonio of the antique shop on Colline House says: “People buy curios for personal reasons. You may pick an object because you feel connected to it in the same way its previous owner felt 100 years ago.â€
Antic coffee cups go for sh40,000 at Andretta’s, while a candle holder hand-carved out of gold, costs sh70,000. Some people buy antics that remind them of a certain period.
For instance, Andretta sells photos of former Ugandan president Idi Amin swimming with a shirt on. Antonio also has memorabilia of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1954 visit to Uganda.
IT can be a watch, a set of china teacups, a doormat, a pair of earrings, a pair of leather sandals, a novel — anything. But for something to qualify as an antique, it must be over 100 years old and in good working condition.
Many items have been passed down from generation to generation and have over the years found their way into garage sales, secondhand markets, auctions and curios shops.
In some countries, people fall over themselves to buy a 100-year-old teapot. Antique auctions are often the most sought-after events that fetch millions.
To some people, an antique is a symbol of wealth and prestige. But in Kampala, the only two curios shops are chocking with precious antiques, but hardly does anyone ever drop by.
Yet whenever tourists, expatriate workers and foreign dignitaries chance on these shops, they sweep the shelves clean.
Antiques and KnickKnacks at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel has hosted the Libyan president, Col Maumar El Gaddhafi and former US secretary of state Mme Madeline Albright, among other dignitaries.
The shop stocks rings, mirrors, clocks, crystal chandeliers, wall length tapestries, Persian rugs, teacups and ship bells.
Some of the items even come complete with family logs and records of how they were passed down through the generations.
They cost between sh500 and sh5m; but one can also bargain. Andretta Antonio of the antique shop on Colline House says: “People buy curios for personal reasons. You may pick an object because you feel connected to it in the same way its previous owner felt 100 years ago.â€
Antic coffee cups go for sh40,000 at Andretta’s, while a candle holder hand-carved out of gold, costs sh70,000. Some people buy antics that remind them of a certain period.
For instance, Andretta sells photos of former Ugandan president Idi Amin swimming with a shirt on. Antonio also has memorabilia of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1954 visit to Uganda.