Skip to content

Shopping List

Your Shopping List is empty

Article: The Price of Provenance

CONFESSIONS

The Price of Provenance

This late 19th-century Belgian oil painting captures a dusky scene at the Antwerp port, encapsulating the industrial vigor of the era. Mounted in a simple wooden frame, the canvas comes alive with a moody vista featuring three ships docked at sunset.

As the landscape of international trade continues to shift, we are seeing notable changes in how antiques make their way to us. With new tariffs and the continued effects of 2020's Brexit altering long-established trade routes, importing fine European antiques has become increasingly challenging. These factors have led to higher costs and fewer shipments, particularly from the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

Rather than discouraging collectors, these changes highlight the significance of what we already have. Each antique in our current inventory has traveled through time and through modern barriers, making its presence not only meaningful but also less costly than what is to come. We can rest assured that the craftsmanship, history, and scarcity of these pieces will carry an even deeper sense of value in the future.

A lacquered rosewood table by MKD with a sculpture by Jean Touret and a ceramic vase by René Buthaud; behind, Josef Zotti chairs and minimalist sconces.

In the gallery of a Paris apartment, a lacquered rosewood table by MKD holds a sculpture by Jean Touret and a ceramic vase by René Buthaud. Behind them, a pair of Josef Zotti chairs and minimalist wall sconces complete the setting, a testament to the enduring dialogue between craftsmanship and modern living.

For those who appreciate the authenticity and artistry of European design, this is a moment to take note. The market continues to evolve, and the true beauty lies in what endures. Every item in our collection tells a story, not only of its maker and its era, but of its continued journey to reach us today.

Photography by Alice Mesguich, styling by Aurore Lameyre with Juliette Starkman. Featured in Architectural Digest France, March/April 2025.

Read more

Parisian Revierie
Lookbook

Parisian Revierie

A reimagined 17th-century Paris home blends Art Deco elegance with timeless restraint. Explore how sculptural forms, warm woods, and collected treasures create a dialogue between modern design and ...

Read more