Skip to main content

House Decor Ideas: Check Out Jalan Surabaya Antique Market

Are you like me who's attracted to things that have a history or looked like they have a history? Or maybe you are looking for some more interesting artefacts to add to your home decor? Well my buddy J and I definitely were and we decided to check out the famous antique street/market in Jakarta- Jalan Surabaya.

This made me miss those times when I used to type essays with a typewriter.

One has to have patience to go through the piles of collectibles. 

Was tempted to get the gramophone for G.

Just love these vintage binoculars/telescopes. J got one of these for her son.


There's a couple of things to note over there:


 1. You need to haggle. A lot.

Most of the shopkeepers start with higher prices; although some must just be out of their mind or don't want your business, they quote you ridiculous figures. They quote us a vintage fan at 20 million rupiah..yes 20,000,000idr (~2,000usd). We laughed and walked away. This is clearly a lost case. 

Let's say hypothetically we just loved the fan and willing to part 2k on it, the shopkeepers wouldn't even have credit card/atm facilities to complete the transaction. J picked out an aged metal tray which she thought would be nice as a towel tray and they quoted 2 million rupiah..another nut case. I told her I could sell her a same one for less. I could just buy a metal tray and pee on it numerous times so that it would eventually aged the same ;p

2. Don't settle on the first or second shop.

J got her eyes set on the vintage telescopes and the first shop quoted her 7,000,000idr (~700usd) and no matter how much we try to barter (for e.g; getting more items..), the storekeeper refused to budge much. We pulled ourselves away from the shop and walked down the whole street, checking the various prices each store offers for a similar telescope. We finally found one that quoted us 3,500,000idr and we got it down to 2,000,000idr (~200usd). Deal done.

3. They may not be authentic antiques.

We also got these maritime scopes for 600,000idr(~60usd) each and I was extremely excited to give it to G. I was so proud of acquiring 'an antique' since the scope was engraved that it was made in 1913 (which made it more than 100years old = qualified as an antique). The oldest things I have now are couple of vintage lomo cameras and pre-war stamps so I was super duper thrilled to have acquired something so old...till G dashed my hopes as an amateur antique collector. 

"Thanks baby, it is a really nice antique reproduction."

What??! Really? It is not authentic? 

"No I don't think so, the leather cover is made to look distressed but not aged naturally..." G gave me an empathetic look. "But I still like it.." Smile.

:( 

The next day, J's hubby also confirmed that it is just a very well reproduced piece of 'antique'. However the scopes still made a nice decor piece so I didn't feel too bad.

Lesson: Buy the items if you like the designs rather than in hope of collecting antiques. 

4. Bring cash.

They don't accept any cards. And the nearest atm machine requires a drive.

---

Well then...hope this helps and happy shopping! I am planning to make a trip to the Antique Market in Arezzo, Italy soon and hopefully I can get some nice finds :) Will write about it in May, stay tuned!

Labels:
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Manicure/Pedicure In Jakarta and Where to Go

I don't know if I am being overly critical or just plain fussy but I find that manicure and pedicure services in Jakarta are not up to par as compared to the other Asian cities like Bangkok, HongKong, and even Singapore! And by all means, the services aren't cheap as compared to overall standard of living locally. To have manicure/pedicure at somewhat a decent place with clean tools usually starts at 220,000 idr (22usd)...and you are not guaranteed OPI or internationally known brands. Nail salons at shopping malls will set you back about 450,000idr (45usd/52sgd)- funny how manicure in Jakarta cost the same in Singapore. Whoever said Jakarta is cheap?! Once, I accompanied my friend to a salon at Kemang where she wanted to have a hairwash and blowdry and I decided to have a manicure/pedicure there while waiting for her. The girl/manicurist came with a large plastic container (like the ones you store miscellaneous stuff in the wardrobe/storeroom) and inside it, the tools and ...
2 comments
Read more

Prenatal Massage at Mom N Jo

The joys of pregnancy does not just stop at morning sickness. 2nd trimester arrives and say hello to Mr Backache! Oh you didn't experience either morning sickness nor backaches? Go away! You shouldn't even be reading this post..Just kidding! On a more serious note, most pregnant women like myself will start to feel aches around the body once 2nd trimester hits. The increased weight from the belly adds more pressure to our backs as well as legs, hence the aches begin. And for me, the need to gag into the toilet bowl at least twice a day causes my neck and shoulders to ache too. Yes I know, I feel like I've aged fifty years being pregnant. However as much as we need the comforts of a massage, one can't just step into any massage place now. Firstly we can't lie face down anymore...duh! Hence we need massages that are tailored for us while we lie sideways which means options are kind of limited. I decided to check with my good friend once again, Mr Google and ta...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kado- Yakitori Restaurant at Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza Jakarta

I had a huge Yakitori craving last week, and my friends suggested me to check out Kado at Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza. Kado is apparently quite very famous for Yakitori in Jakarta and very popular with the Japanese travellers and expats. Hubby G and I had already tried couple of Yakitori places in Jakarta however we only found them pretty average; we certainly hoped Kado would be ' the Yakitori place' to go to. Tucked at a corner of the basement of Intercontinental Hotel Midplaza. Located at the basement of Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza, Kado wasn't what I had expected of a restaurant in a hotel. It looks like a family-run Japanese eatery(though belonging a chain of restaurants), unassuming and easily missed- definitely not your usual high end intimidating hotel restaurants. This place is good for anyone who just want to come casually dressed and enjoy an easy evening with family and friends. The manager/chef is a very friendly Japanese lady and almost a...
Post a Comment
Read more