The treasure trove
There’s a place in Paphos that will take you back in time
Historians have always relied on the written word, but for me, objects that one can actually see, touch, and smell, offer an altogether more intimate understanding of the minds and manners of past times.
Well-made collectibles and antiques nearly always have about them integrity, honesty and heritage. And those bored with ‘look alike’ interiors can bring character and individual style into their home by stepping into the world created by people like Tony Reeves.
Ye Olde Antiques Shop in Paphos opened its doors only a few months ago. Enter, and you are greeted with shelves groaning with treasures.
From glorious Victorian plates to pretty jugs, from salt and pepper pots to silver trays, they all seem to whisper ‘take me from the shelf’.
Turn around, (but do so very carefully as this particular shop fairly overflows with goodies) and come face to face with a stern Edwardian lady staring out at you from a gold-framed aquatint. Piles of pottery and delicate porcelain vie for attention with 1950s fairground souvenirs, and Japanese lacquer boxes. Then, spot the metal bread bins (just like your Aunt Meg used to own) along with her heavy stone water bottle, plus rolling pins and bread boards. They are all here for the inquisitive and acquisitive to relish in, and Tony knows the story on every single item within his shop.
His personal collecting passion is cranberry glass. “I’ve been hooked on that for years, it’s the beautiful deep colour, and the craftsmanship involved, and many of the pieces here on sale are from my own collection.”
Is he like so many us then who get carried away with a specific interest and fill up the house with their collections?
“Something like that. I cannot really pass a shop in the UK that has this specialist glassware without being tempted by at least one perfect piece.”
His other weakness is old fairground prizes! “One of my favourites is a painted handbag made of china with the heads of two devils poking out from the bag. Now that’s a real collectors’ item these days, yet probably only cost a few pennies when first made.”
I spot a bone china tea set, along with a biscuit barrel in the shape of a house. Both bring back memories of childhood teas with my aunt, and I ask Tony if people come into the shop and experience similar memories.
“Every day people will come in and do the same thing. The trigger could be the jelly moulds or pie funnels, the ribbon plates or the elderly examples of Paddington Bears that jog their thoughts back in time.”
Like every collector and dealer Tony has his most satisfying find. “A lalique bowl which I bought at a car boot sale for five pounds and then sold on for 6,000 pounds. But that’s because I know what I am looking for at sales. Even though I’ve been in this business for over 30 years I still study books, and am always learning about everything from classical antiques, collectibles. But I also study modern culture. For example, I have toy robots and other toys from well-known TV series that are now in vogue.”
Tony’s best customers are Cypriots. “They are keen to own things that are not only different from the stuff you get in the ordinary shops but in items that will also increase in value the longer they own them,” he says.
He also has interior designers who come in on the look out for original pieces to decorate their clients’ homes.
“Russians are also very interested in my stock especially anything silver such as the silver heavily decorated drinks tray.”
The English are not such big spenders. “They do come in, of course, but they tend to look and admire, and remember. Or, they bring in goods to have them valued, and we can also buy from them if the item is of interest,” he says.
Almost on cue an English lady came into the shop clutching a small – and I have to say – pretty ghastly figure of a seated fat man with holes bored into his head, holding aloft a pair of giant feet. The lady wanted to know what it was used for. Quick as a flash, Tony explains it was a match holder, and the base of large feet was used for striking the matches. Such monstrosities are collectible, and Tony values it at fifty pounds. Exit one smiling lady carefully clutching her new found treasure.
I found it interesting that Cypriots were so interested in buying basically second-hand goods, as so many new homes for those who can afford are temples of modernism with a nod in the direction of IKEA rather than Queen Anne.
“Not now. With popular TV programmes like Flog it, Cash in the Attic, and the Antiques Road Show all illustrate how old stuff can be both attractive and valuable. The key, I think, is not everyone wants a home that looks the same as their neighbour’s so the trend to have one of two truly original pieces is becoming more and more popular, and collectibles and antiques can do that for a home,” says Tony.
So what can be called a genuine antique? “Any object over one hundred years old, less than one hundred then it’s known as a collectible.”
Tony’s shop, which he runs with the help of wife Patricia, is unique and commands a huge amount of interest from those tired of the same old imported tat that has recently swamped our stores.
Here within the sometimes impenetrable jumble of goodies, you will discover lovely original gifts for friends and family.
For any one with a remotely acquisitive nature, a visit is pure torture. If it’s not the lure of luscious glassware, then the collection of old jewellery and quirky 1950s handbags might just do the trick. And happily for all the collectors out there, Tony’s prices are not exorbitant. In fact many items cost much less than the pseudo repro rubbish we are sometimes succumbed into buying. And here there’s zero chance of finding the ubiquitous ‘made in Taiwan’ stamp on the bottom of your Victorian chamber pot.
Ye Olde London Antiques shop
Tatiana Court
Eleftherious Venezelou Road
Paphos
(On Butcher Boy road)
Mobile 99946092
