On the hunt for antique furniture and accessories for your home? With the ability to inject loads of character into your living space, many antique pieces also have great stories behind them. So wondering where to buy antiques in Singapore? Whether you’re looking for cabinets, chairs, tables or sideboards, these go-to furniture stores will have you all set!
The Past Perfect Collection
If you love colonial style antiques, visit The Past Perfect Collection. Step into the bright and airy showroom featuring top quality antique furniture and be transported back to the colonial era. Shop for stylish accessories such as antique maps, decorative silver and Good Earth tableware to add the finishing touch to your home.
Top picks
Rare items such as an exquisite campaign secretaire chest of drawers are popular. Made from camphor wood with ebony moldings and claw feet, the high level of craftsmanship makes them really special.
Antique colonial desks give a sense of gravitas to the workplace. Be it the partners’ desk or roll top desk, these date back to the nineteenth century when they were used by European settlers.
Decorative writing boxes and dressing boxes make wonderful gifts. Some even have secret compartments, so they are sure to be conversation pieces.
Top tip
“People are no longer furnishing with a purist’s view for a particular period. A nineteenth century antique dining table can be paired with a set of modern upholstered chairs, and it looks fantastic!”
#11-05 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road
6737 3078 | pastperfect.sg
Woody Antique House
Meticulously restored to retain its original beauty, the furniture at Woody Antique House is sourced from countries including China, Mongolia, India, Thailand and Myanmar. Browse cabinets from China, Tibetan chests, and rain drums and bronze statues from Thailand and Myanmar. The store is also able to make necessary modifications to pieces to align with your modern lifestyle needs.
Top picks
Sourced primarily from Zhejiang Province in China, the store’s wedding cabinets are traditionally given as a gift to newly married couples. These days, they’re either repainted in modern colours or reproduced in various sizes and colours.
Used to store costumes or clothing, Indian pitara boxes are popular to use as coffee tables or TV consoles.
Make a statement with a Mongolian sideboard. These roomy and beautifully painted numbers work brilliantly as storage cabinets.
Top Tip
“Note the finishing that was used for your piece, and find out how to maintain it. For example, wax and oil finishes may be prone to mould in wet and humid conditions.”
Blk 13 Dempsey Road, #01-05
6471 1770 | woodyantique.com | facebook.com/woodyantique
Emperor’s Attic
Hand-picked from artisans in Northern China by owner Chantal Travers, the furniture and accessories collection at Emperor’s Attic consists of quality, authentic pieces. Shop hand-painted Chinese cabinets, tables, chairs, lamps, sideboards, chests, stools and even foo dogs, and stay up to date on new shipments and the store’s regular pop-up fairs on the Facebook page.
Top Picks
Antique hand-painted cabinets and sideboards from Gansu Province are exclusive pieces, great for storage in the dining room, hallway and living room.
Mix old and new with a vibrant vintage console from Shandong Province. These beautiful numbers are great to place in nooks and corners that need a little something more.
Functional and aesthetically pleasing, elegant tall noodle cabinets from Shanxi Province offer a tonne of storage space for blankets, towels, toys and more.
Top Tip
“Don’t be afraid to mix styles; by doing so, you’re making a statement and making your home uniquely yours.”
#01-10 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road
6270 2544 | emperorsattic.com
Lim’s Holland Village
The team at Lim’s Holland Village has over 40 years of experience in the antique business and offers traditional home décor and furniture crafted to suit today’s lifestyle. Sourced from Northern China, many pieces showcased at their only store in Holland Village have up to 150 years of history. In their extensive collection, expect to find chairs, chests of drawers, wedding and food baskets, trunk boxes and more.
Top Picks
Take a trip back in history with a long side console from Gansu in Northern China, featuring unique and intricate paintings. Each painting tells a story too – be it of a wedding, the first day of spring, or the spirit animals.
Made around 50 to 80 years ago, camphor trunks are usually quickly snatched up in store because of their unique grain and how they are kept in their original form as much as possible. These can be used as coffee tables or bed-end trunks.
Top Tip
“Don’t be put off by imperfections in antiques. There may be the odd mark or dent, but it’s all part of a piece’s beauty, speaking of its age and uniqueness.”
#02-01 Holland Road Shopping Centre, 211 Holland Ave
6466 3188 | facebook.com/limshollandvillage
Just Anthony
Just Anthony carries a wide selection of Chinese antique furniture, reproductions and accessories; you can shop cabinets, chests, pot, lamps, day beds and even reproductions of timeless styles from the Ming Dynasty. You’ll also find elegant silk wall coverings, wall decorations, mirrors and even antique room dividers repurposed from old door panels. Got a tricky space or something particular in mind? Get your piece customised to your ideal colour, dimensions and design.
Top Picks
Used as the main doors of bigger households, large antique wooden doors from China’s Shanxi Province are made of elm or pine wood.
Meanwhile, original red wedding cabinets from Zhejiang Province are another favourite. Some are plain while others come with intricate carvings and beautiful paintings.
Pick up an antique console table originating from the late Qing Dynasty or early Republic; usually made of elm wood, they are sourced from Northern China.
Top Tip
“If you love a piece, buy it, not just one that will fit in your current home.”
379 Upper Paya Lebar Road
6283 4782 | 6283 4722 | justanthony.com
Möbler
Explore the Scandinavian antique collection at Möbler that features items from the early 1800s to 1970s. Presented with the worn patina of a bygone age, the antiques come from a range of time epochs: Gustavian, Jugend, Art Deco, Rococo and Empire. Set up by Swedish sisters Emelie and Ellen, the store’s pieces are specially sourced in Sweden by Emelie. Each item is professionally restored and has a unique story to tell, bringing something special to your living space.
Top Picks
The Masi Birch Chiffonje dates back to the 1820s. Inspired by symbols and ornaments from the Ancient Greek and Roman empires, this elegant chest of drawers is sure to make a statement.
Pair your sofa with the Gustavian Swedish Side Table. With a Swedish twist on the French style, it’s made of durable pine wood, which is native to Sweden.
Top Tip
“Be careful of fakes. Take a good look at the craftsmanship and ensure that the antiques you purchase are genuine natural-worn furniture rather than items made to look old.”
10C Jalan Ampas
9882 5320 | moblersingapore.com
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