Did you know that Pondicherry is full of amazing antique treasures? If you don’t know Pondicherry too well, you may not know about these places. Read on to learn about some insider secrets and favorite local spots where you can go antique shopping in Pondicherry, and learn about what makes each of these stores unique. You may not find a perfectly organized and fancy antique store, and you have to search amongst a lot of items to find items that are
really valuable-but isn’t the search itself part of the fun?
● 1st shop MG Road –Shree Kanji Kamatchi Furniture Centre
This antique shop started as a small street shop has now grown into a big shop on the main MG road. Subramanian, who hails from Pondicherry, started the store 10 years ago, and has been in this field for 20yrs. In this store, you can find antique furniture, old teakwood boxes, figurines and religious idols, old tapes, typewriters, cutlery plates, dabra sets & brass coffee filters. You may get very good prices here, but you will have to search for your treasures amongst a lot of clutter.
PRICE RANGE: They have products in the range of Rs.5000 to Rs.25000
Address: 445, MG Road, Pondicherry-605001
Ph:9976512974
● 2nd shop: Royal Heritage
History: This store is run by 45 year-old Raja, who inherited this business from his father who has been running the business for more than 50 years. Born in Tanjore, he has brought inspiration from all around Tamil Nadu, such as from Chettinadu mansions. What you can find: The biggest highlights of this store include intricate detailed doors & pillars/columns, Chettinadu furniture, temple ornaments, religious idols, fountains and chandeliers. You can also find brass items & teak products in all his four branches, which are spread out in Pondicherry. The most expensive product sold in his shop was a door worth 25 lakhs, from Ramnathapuram.
Price range: You may end up spending anywhere between Rs. 5000 to 50 lakhs at his store!
Address: 42, Muthupillai Complex, Kottakuppam, Puducherry-605003
Ph: 9360272121
● 3rd shop: Moonstar
History: Moonstar is an antique store owned by Mr.Mubarak, and has been in business for 25 years. Just last year, he moved from a tiny store in Muthialpet to a much bigger place, just a few meters away. His passion for collecting old metal utensils like trunks, crockery and lunchboxes is what makes his collection unique. What you can find: This store carries furniture, paintings, old enamel plates, lunchboxes, special animal statues, metal trunks, pickle jars and enamel coated tiffin carriers.
Price range: His rates range from paintings worth Rs. 200, to rosewood furniture worth Rs. 25000.
Address: Kottakuppam, Puducherry- 605104
Ph: 099446 11785
● 4th shop: Ramana’s Art Gallery
History: Ramana’s Art Gallery is run by father and son; Pradeep and Sandeep, and opened 30 years ago. Pradeep is originally from Rajasthan, and the store has a Rajasthani influence. An Almirah from Chennai, which was the most expensive item in his shop, was brought from Vijayanagaram Kingdom which ranged around 4lakhs (back in the 90’s) and was sold to a Bombay customer. What you can find: Pradeep’s passion is old glass items like chandeliers and vases and it also carries rosewood furniture and brass statues. While his store is the most well-maintained and his items are restored well, his prices are also higher (although still much cheaper than in comparison to Mumbai or Delhi prices).
He has got a huge collection of variety of antique products
Address: 2, MG Road, Kottakkupam, Tamilnadu-605104
Ph: 94433211416
● 5th shop (Kottakuppam Roundabout corner)
History: This store, which the owner Vijay calls “the nameless shop” is a low-priced, and negotiable shop in town. Vijay started the business 30 years ago in Pondicherry. He’s a happy seller who loves to sell things irrespective of the cost, and give at a best rate for the customer’s satisfaction. What you can find: At his store, you can find furniture and toys, little trinkets, clocks, old doorframes, microwave plates, tables, benches etc. You can find valuable items from junk if you’re willing to hunt for them.
Price range: You may find products in the range of Rs.100 to Rs.10000
Address; Kottakkuppam Roundabout
Ph: 9894033083
● 6th Shop: Auroarchana Hope
History: Auroarchana is run by two German Aurovillians, Coco and Clemens. They have been in the business for over 25 years. They have sold their products all over the world. What you can find: They focus on colonial furniture, which they restore or reproduce. They also can make custom wooden furniture on request. Their store includes wooden handicrafts, antique furniture, and modern designs.
Address: Auroville Rd, Auroville, Tamil Nadu 605101
Ph: 0413 262 2175