Latest update February 25th, 2025 10:18 AM
Latest News
- Five dead in road accidents
- 25 helicopter trips required weekly for preparatory work on 7th oil project—Exxon says in EIA
- Israel deploys tanks as assault on occupied West Bank intensifies
- Govt. seeking contractors for $1.9B Parika to Goshen Road project
- GHRA urges Gov’t to follow laws in dealing with US deportation issue
Huge collection of Guyanese antiques released
By Leonard Gildarie
Imagine a place where you can virtually relive old memories. Where you can see, feel and touch some of the artwork of probably from the last century or before that. And it has all been collected in Guyana.
For the music lover, an old John Lennon album, or for the housewife who loves nice décor, a variety of items, like an unusual vase or table.
Now, there is a place where really old, classy stuff can be found and it is an art lover and historian’s dream.
Opened just a month ago, The Antique Shoppe on Carmichael Street, just a few doors north of The Bishops’ High School, has been generating much interest.
For over 30 years, the collection of antiques has been growing as a hobby for one family, says Jason Netram, a senior official of the establishment. The collection, thousands of pieces, is now being released for Guyanese to sample.
The shop has what is believed to be an original signed copy of a painting of South-African-based Russian-born artist, Vladimir Grigoryevich Tretchikoff. How that copy of the “Chinese Girl” ended up in Guyana is anybody’s guess, but it is one of the many mysteries of the shop.
There is an old Tiffany’s lamp shade worth thousands.
According to Netram, Guyana is not unknown for its art work or expensive collection items. One of most famous stamps in the world, said to be sold for millions, came from Guyana.
There is an old card table that folds in two; a record player that looked early 1900s, and several dolls.
The collection, numbering over 20,000 pieces, has been a major pain to catalogue.
There are Indian, Chinese, English, American and even some pre-Columbus pieces, Netram said.
However, it is the thousands of bottles, bronze and wood carvings that would send any art lover crazy.
I saw some paintings that looked like the old Georgetown.
There was even a wooden sculpture of the great Mahatma Gandhi.
According to Netram, it may be the first time that there was any attempt to unleash such a vast array of antiques and old artwork on Guyana.
“I know for sure that there cannot another such collection in Guyana.”
The buyers have been coming from the embassies, mostly Europeans and even local gold miners who see the value.
I saw several golf clubs that looked 1930s.
In the corner, work is being done to assess several bronze plates that looked Chinese. A large vase, also Asian, stood majestically in place.
Of course, the pieces are by no means cheap.
But bottles, paintings that are original, can be had for a steal.
“Obviously, collection of art can never be brought in large quantities. A piece here and there…it takes time for your collection to grow,” Jason said.
There were three violins, one of them definitely European…the price was over US$10,000 as it is an original piece.
There were also several watches, ceramics and even rare books.
“Yes, it pains us to part with the items which have taken years to collect. But it is an opportunity for especially Guyanese to have painting, a vase, an old table… something Guyana. This is art in its raw form,” an enthusiastic Netram said.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The PPP/C’s rotten return
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) ought to have treated its loss in the... more
Why the U.S. Should Strengthen Trade Ties with the Caribbean
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- A rules-based international trading system has long been a foundation of global commerce,... more
Weekend Cartoon
