You’ll discover hidden gems by focusing on curated spaces like Manhattan’s Mantiques Modern, where vintage Fiat car seat sofas and WWII tank bronze sculptures await, or Newport’s Drawing Room, a private museum-shop specializing in Imperial Habsburg and Asian antiquities. Don’t overlook Chepachet Village’s 1690s buildings housing vintage toys and hand-hewn beams, or Showplace’s basement-level Jacqueline’s shop with authenticated American artifacts. The most extraordinary finds emerge from knowledgeable dealers who’ve spent decades cultivating connections, and understanding their specializations reveal access to pieces you’d never find elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Mantiques Modern houses unusual pieces like a sofa crafted from 1960s Fiat car seats and a WWII tank bronze gear sculpture.
- Showplace’s basement features authentic American artifacts, including Ulysses Grant’s wife’s dress and museum-sourced vintage items with provenance.
- The Drawing Room offers curated Imperial Habsburg art and Asian antiquities, with documented provenance and pieces valued in tens of thousands.
- Chepachet Village shops in 1690s buildings contain vintage toys, hand-hewn beams, and authentic fixtures from historic establishments like 1809’s Brown and Hopkins.
- South County Barn Finds specializes in Depression-era glassware, regional maritime artifacts, and nostalgic collectibles across 400 booths spanning 50,000 square feet.
Designer Furniture and Art Finds in Chelsea’s Mantiques Modern
Tucked away at 146 W 22nd Street in Chelsea, Mantiques Modern transforms 4,000 square feet into a treasure trove of 20th-century design that’ll make any vintage enthusiast’s heart race.
You’ll discover furniture pieces by legends like Isamu Noguchi and Jean Prouvé among their 13-item collection, including a stunning sofa crafted from two 1960s Fiat car seats priced at $11,500.
Mid-century seating options showcase the era’s bold aesthetic sensibilities.
The art collection spans 63 pieces, from surrealist paintings to abstract works that challenge conventional tastes.
Vintage lighting fixtures illuminate restored airplane engines reimagined as conversation-starting tables.
Brass and metal pieces dominate the industrial-modernist inventory, featuring finds like Curtis Jere bookends and a polished bronze gear sculpture salvaged from a WWII tank for $3,200.
The shop also showcases handmade sculptures and handcrafted items that add an artisanal dimension to the curated space.
With over 100 years of combined vintage luxury experience among its curators, the shop has established itself as an authority in authenticating and sourcing rare design pieces.
Discovering Specialized Vendors at Showplace’s Multi-Story Complex
While Mantiques Modern offers a curated slice of mid-century excellence, Showplace Antiques presents an entirely different experience: a sprawling three-floor marketplace where over 250 galleries compete for your attention.
A sprawling three-floor marketplace where over 250 galleries compete for your attention—an entirely different antique-hunting experience.
You’ll discover approximately 200 dealers whose vendor stories reveal genuine expertise in antique preservation.
Navigate this treasure trove strategically:
- Ground floor: Watch dealers who’ll explain how timepieces define personal identity.
- Basement: Jacqueline’s shop showcasing American historical artifacts with authentic provenance.
- Upstairs archive: New York Vintage’s 23-year collection featuring Ulysses Grant’s wife’s dress and museum-sourced pieces.
Shannon Hoey and fellow vendors don’t just sell—they preserve. Their database-documented items attract celebrities like Lady Gaga while promoting sustainable luxury. Co-founded by Shannon Hoey, the space has dressed Sarah Jessica Parker and worked with costume designers for acclaimed productions like *Boardwalk Empire* and *Mad Men*.
The marketplace holds bi-monthly live estate auctions featuring fine and decorative art objects alongside vintage and modern furniture.
Between discoveries, you’ll find an espresso cafe downstairs. Open Saturdays 8:30 AM-5:30 PM for your independent exploration.
Historic Chepachet Village: Rhode Island’s Antique Treasure Trail
Just thirty miles northwest of Providence, Chepachet Village stakes its claim as Rhode Island’s premier destination for antique enthusiasts who’ve grown weary of overpriced dealers.
This National Register village houses four distinct shops within buildings dating to 1690, where you’ll discover vintage jewelry, Star Wars collectibles, and baseball memorabilia at revitalizing reasonable prices.
Start at The Old Post Office Antiques‘ two floors of estate treasures, then explore Town Trader’s vintage toys alongside its hand-hewn beams and antique fixtures in America’s oldest trading post.
Old Stone Mill spans nine rooms with 1868 counters still operational, while Brown and Hopkins Country Store has served collectors since 1809.
Historic architecture enhances every discovery—exposed post-and-beam construction, original masonry, and wooden floors create an atmosphere that refined suburban shops simply can’t replicate. Browse everything from cast iron pans to vintage vinyl records scattered throughout these neighboring establishments.
Newport’s Drawing Room: A Museum-Style Shopping Experience
You’ll uncover The Drawing Room of Newport operates more like a private museum than a typical antique shop, where proprietors Federico Santi and John Gacher have spent over 40 years assembling extraordinary collections that span Imperial Habsburg decorative arts to centuries-old Asian antiquities.
Each piece in their Spring Street location tells a story—whether it’s an ornate inkstand priced in the tens of thousands or a meticulously restored period lighting fixture—creating obsessively curated vignettes that demand careful examination.
The cramped-but-not-cluttered space rewards patient browsers who comprehend that genuine discovery requires time, and you’re encouraged to call ahead (401-261-3980) to ensure access to their museum-quality inventory that extends far beyond the 300+ pieces showcased online. The shop specializes in period furniture, lighting, and high-style decorative arts that have been their focus for 36 years. Collectors seeking Zsolnay ceramics will find the proprietors are not only knowledgeable dealers but also active buyers interested in acquiring fine turn-of-the-century pieces.
Obsessively Curated Collector Rooms
Since 1985, Federico Santi and John Gacher have transformed their Spring Street location into what devotees call a museum-quality antique shop where every object earns its place through historical significance and aesthetic merit. This collector’s sanctuary demonstrates masterful antique room curation across diverse periods and cultures.
Their obsessive approach delivers three distinct collecting universes:
- Asian treasures from China and Japan alongside American Greek Revival furnishings
- Imperial Habsburg decorative arts paired with centuries-old inkwells and timepieces
- Rare Newport books displayed with carefully selected erotic art
You’ll find pieces priced in tens of thousands—legitimate antiques with documented provenance. The proprietors’ knowledge transforms browsing into education, while Manx cat Esmeralda keeps watch over this cramped-but-never-cluttered space at 152 Spring Street. Recognized with Travelers’ Choice distinction, the shop ranks among the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor, cementing its reputation among serious collectors and history enthusiasts alike. The shop occupies one of Newport’s historically significant streets, where colonial-era homes with diamond-pane windows once housed prominent Revolutionary figures.
Call 401-261-3980 for appointments.
Extended Browsing Opportunities
While most antique shops pressure you to purchase or leave, Newport’s Drawing Room invites unhurried exploration of its museum-caliber collection.
Proprietors Federico Santi and John Gacher encourage you to examine centuries-old treasures without obligation, whether you’re studying vintage jewelry from Imperial Habsburg artisans or handling timeworn textiles that span continents.
Their 152 Spring Street location operates as both gallery and shop, where cramped quarters paradoxically feel spacious through thoughtful curation.
You’ll discover serious antiques priced from modest to tens of thousands—restored French high-style desks, Asian porcelains, erotic art, ornate inkwells.
The online gallery showcases over 300 pieces, yet represents merely a fraction of what’s available.
Open daily 11 am to 5 pm, this forty-year Newport institution rewards repeat visits with constantly rotating inventory that satisfies genuine collectors and curious wanderers alike.
South County Barn Finds and Nostalgic Collectibles
You’ll discover authentic Rhode Island heritage when you step into South County’s classic red barn antique shops, where weathered wood beams frame collections that span generations of local history.
These rustic settings aren’t just charming backdrops—they’re carefully curated spaces where dealers specialize in regional maritime artifacts, colonial-era furniture, and farm implements that tell the story of the Ocean State’s agricultural past.
The barn atmosphere enhances your hunt for nostalgic collectibles, from vintage beach memorabilia to Depression-era glassware that once graced South County farmhouse tables.
Classic Red Barn Setting
Tucked away at 13208 Tesson Ferry Rd in Saint Louis, the South County Antique Mall transforms over 50,000 square feet into a treasure hunter’s paradise that rivals the romantic notion of discovering vintage finds in a sprawling country barn. The vintage charm permeates every corner as you navigate 400 display booths housing countless treasures from 300-plus independent dealers.
This rustic charm manifests through:
- Hand-crafted furniture pieces evoking authentic barn-find experiences
- Antique silver collections showcasing old-world craftsmanship
- Nostalgic glassware and jewelry spanning decades of Americana
You’ll spend 2-3 hours exploring this maze of memories, where free parking and daily 10 AM-6 PM hours eliminate barriers between you and your next discovery.
Nearly two decades in business proves this hidden gem delivers authentic treasure-hunting freedom.
Rhode Island Heritage Pieces
Rhode Island’s South County region harbors a concentration of antique shops where colonial heritage meets coastal charm, offering treasure hunters access to pieces that span three centuries of New England history. You’ll discover authentic heirlooms sourced directly from local estates—colonial furniture crafted by early settlers, ship models that chronicle maritime traditions, and marine artifacts pulled from coastal collections.
The region’s 17th and 18th-century roots yield historically significant finds you won’t encounter elsewhere. Hunt through curated selections of vintage jewelry, decorative pottery, and nautical memorabilia alongside sterling silver, hand-painted china, and antique clocks. These aren’t mass-produced reproductions—they’re genuine articles from the past, each carrying Rhode Island’s distinct coastal and agricultural legacy.
You’re free to explore barn structures packed with heritage pieces that serious collectors covet.
Manhattan’s Multi-Floor Antique Palaces: Kentshire and Showplace
Where else can you explore 80 years of curated excellence spanning three floors of a Madison Avenue townhouse? Kentshire’s uptown gallery at 700 Madison Avenue represents New York’s first LEED-certified art gallery, housing treasures that’ll ignite your passion for authentic period pieces.
Since 1940, three generations have mastered the art of jewelry authentication and antique restoration, building collections that embody their philosophy: “If you’d find it in an Englishman’s home, you’d find it here.”
Their expertise spans:
- Fine antique and estate jewelry with contemporary fashion sensibility
- English furniture emphasizing design excellence and authenticity
- French and Italian objets d’art and decorative accessories
You’ll discover their Bergdorf Goodman seventh-floor boutique or schedule appointments at their 5th Avenue location. They’re regular fixtures at Masterpiece London and the New York Winter Antiques Show.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Authenticate Antique Items Before Making a Purchase?
Don’t let counterfeits pull the wool over your eyes—you’ll authenticate by examining vintage jewelry hallmarks, verifying antique painting signatures, researching provenance records, and consulting experts who’ll confirm authenticity through scientific testing and detailed documentation before you buy.
What Payment Methods Do Most Antique Shops Accept for Large Purchases?
Most antique shops accept major credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers for large purchases of vintage jewelry and rare collectibles. You’ll often find layaway plans and financing options like Affirm, giving you flexible payment freedom for high-value treasures.
Can Antique Furniture Be Shipped Internationally or Only Domestically?
You can absolutely ship antique furniture internationally! Specialized carriers handle shipping logistics across borders, though you’ll navigate international regulations including customs documentation and duty exemptions. Air and ocean freight options give you global collecting freedom despite added complexity.
Do Antique Shops Offer Appraisal Services for Items I Already Own?
Yes, you’ll find antique shops are treasure troves for appraisals! They connect you with professional appraisers who’ll evaluate your vintage jewelry, rare collectibles, and cherished possessions—giving you the freedom to make informed decisions about insurance, sales, or estate planning.
What Are the Best Times of Year to Find Deals at Antique Shops?
You’ll find the best deals during seasonal sales in fall and spring when inventory turns over rapidly, plus winter holiday discounts from mid-October through January when fewer shoppers compete and dealers enthusiastically clear stock before year-end.
References
- https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/editorial/post/antiquing-in-rhode-island-a-collectors-paradise-from-shoreline-to-countryside/
- https://www.westgateresorts.com/blog/antique-stores-nyc/
- https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/this-is-where-nate-berkus-shops-antiques-in-new-york-city
- https://www.lemon8-app.com/belladunn/7269963304804827654?region=us
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60763-Activities-c26-t137-New_York_City_New_York.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSK3vZMOiXk
- https://mantiquesmodern.com
- https://www.postcard.inc/places/mantiques-modern-new-york
- https://mantiquesmodern.com/collections
- https://mantiquesmodern.com/pages/press-3
