Shopping: Sifting treasure from trash

FIONA HAWTIN looks at antiques in the second of a week-long series on shopping options


Preloved is another word for everything from fine antiques to old junk. One person's unloved stuff is another person's salvage chic.

What is now called "found style" is a time-consuming way to shop and is best avoided by those who want everything to match - and now.

For serious collectors, fossicking excursions are more than retail therapy. They are a hobby, a lifestyle and a form of modern archaeology.

Budding antique and curio collectors should start by trawling antique shops, auction houses and markets for potential booty.

* Buy what you like, not what you think may be valuable. One too many Antiques Roadshow viewers has been stung buying fakes this way.

* Read up in the area that interests you, so you have some idea of just what is valuable, what's not, what lowers the value - such as hairline fractures on china - and how much to pay.

* He who hesitates doesn't win the item. These things don't often come off production lines, so you could be a long time looking for the next Victorian rocking horse. And if you decide you don't want it, you can always sell it on.

* At an auction, always set a limit beforehand on how much you'll pay, and stick to it. Winning is not everything if you've paid too much.

* Make regular recces to favourite places and tell them what you're after so they can let you know when something arrives that may interest you.

WORTH A LOOK:

Auburn Antiques, Great South Rd, Remuera. Rich pickings of eclectic stuff from the quality 1870s camphorwood campaign chest at $6950 to pieces that tickle owner David Auburn's funnybone, such as the Wanganui Gentlemen's Club tea dispenser for $895.

Murdoch McLennan Antiques, Parnell Rd. For Victorian equestrian prints from $100 to $2500 and good Georgian furniture.

Drummond Antiques, Anzac Ave. Absolutely crammed full of maritime curios, Crown Lynn and eye-catching wonders, such as the 1930s American juice-bar light, with hand-blown glass oranges as shades, for $750.

Webb's, Manukau Rd, Newmarket. An auction house that, apart from high-priced art, also does colonial and modern furniture, jewellery and has an affordable weekly estate auction on Thursday where you can pick up almost anything - bizarre or practical. Good value.

Tirau Antique Centre, Hillcrest Rd, Tirau. Five dealers' worth of stock under one roof.

Collectors Market, Auckland Showgrounds. On the second Sunday of every month, more than 100 stalls offer antiques and collectibles of varying quality. Worth keeping a regular eye on.

Antiques and Angels, Queen St, Northcote Point. This is prime hunting ground for those hankering after shabby chic. Everything from enormous French antique mirrors and chandeliers from $1500 to $8000, to old Chinese cupboards.

Victorian Gilt, Great South Rd, Remuera. Famous for its vast stock of quality vintage clothes, curtains, fabric, bedspreads and jewellery.

McClenaghan, Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay. Five fetchingly decorated showrooms with English furniture from the 19th century on, and Danish 20th century furniture.

Phillippe Gallais, 3c Kingsland Tce, Kingsland. Full of imported French stuff, such as the pottery wine jars from Provence for between $40 and $80 and a deco table and six chairs for $1500. This is what a Paris flea market looks like.