Antique Furniture

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ANTIQUE FURNITURE

By definition, antique furniture is more than 100 years old, which of course already makes it very special. Furthermore, they are unique pieces of history that could probably tell some amazing stories.

The Past Perfect Collection has a special antique furniture collection which includes period-style furniture from the British, Dutch and Portuguese era in India. So called Indo-European furniture or widely known as Colonial furniture.

Your imagination comes alive as you step into our store on the 11th floor of Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road in Singapore. India’s colonial past through beautiful pieces of antique furniture stirs the mind to transport you into the world of Indian Maharajas and their colonial counterparts.

Each piece weaves a story about how elegant homes depicted the colonial culture then prevalent in India. From the romantic Indo-Portuguese style, to the clean lines of the Indo-Dutch furniture to the more formal yet flowing designs of the Anglo-Indian pieces.

View our latest acquisitions here.

Antique Furniture Shop l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

The Past Perfect Collection - Antique Shop in Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore

Antique Furniture Half Moon Console Table l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

British colonial half moon console table in rosewood with carved scrolled foliage and monkey heads. 

ARTISTIC HERITAGE

As might be expected, the Indo-European style of furniture drew inspiration from India’s deep cultural well. The result was an incorporation of patterns of inlay and carving motifs that derives from the mythology and artistic heritage of this most ancient civilization. Westerners accustomed to, for example, English Regency antique furniture as a model of curvilinear restraint can be taken aback when confronted with an Anglo-Indian piece of the same style. It will likely be executed in solid rosewood with (major) portions of the exterior surface pierced, carved or inlaid.

THE SKILL OF THE CRAFTSMAN

Without doubt, Indian antique furniture shows off the magnificent skill and technical ability of the artisan. Therefore, if you are fortunate enough to get your hands on an original piece, you will appreciate the richness and beauty of this kind of furniture that makes it a treasure that will last you a lifetime.

Sometimes boldly carved or featuring intricate inlay work. It is the high quality of the materials used, the quality craftsmanship and the attention to detail which brings our antique furniture into a class of its own altogether.

Antique Furniture - Fine Moghul Design Inlay l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

Fine Moghul design inlay work on antique box. 

Antique Furniture Exotic Hardwoods l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

EXOTIC HARDWOODS

Local craftsmen used exotic hardwoods such as rosewood, mahogany and satinwood, because these were particularly suited to the climate. Unlike softer woods, like pine, that tended to warp in the tropical humidity, these woods stood up to the most extreme conditions and were readily available.

Our antique furniture was made of the finest hardwoods such as –

  • ROSEWOOD (Dalbergia Latifolia)

Indian rosewood is historically one of the main rosewoods of commerce and was traded alongside Brazilian rosewood for hundreds of years. Rosewood is a very dark brown hardwood with an almost black wavy grain. The name comes from the scent released when the wood is cut. It is used for inlaid decoration and veneer and was used for making solid furniture from the early 19th century onwards.

  • MAHOGANY (Swietenia Mahogoni)

Mahogany is a reddish-brown wood, and it has been used for making furniture since about 1730. The timber was imported from the West-Indies. It is very strong, seasons quickly and does not tend to warp and split, is seldom attacked by woodworm, and is a good timber to work. Mahogany could be obtained in large enough pieces to make large tabletops without joining, which had not been possible before, and not only does it take a pleasing smooth finish but is excellent for carving.

  • EBONY (Diospyrus Ebenum)

A black wood of very close grain and heavy in weight which was popular for veneering at the end of the 17th century. Later it was used for inlaid decoration and especially for the dark tines in stringing. A beautiful and expensive wood.

 

Teakwood l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

  • TEAKWOOD

Teakwood is strong and durable, able to withstand extremes of heat and cold with a warm colour and attractive grain and is used a lot in Indian antique furniture. It is an extremely adaptable wood and water resistant and does not splinter easily making it highly valued.

  • SATINWOOD (Chloroxylon Swietenia)

Satinwood was the most beautiful and highly valued wood used in the latter part of the 18th century and is perhaps the most widely known of decorative timbers. It is a highly figured, close-grained, hard, durable wood native to Ceylon and the East Indies. It is light yellow to golden brown in color with a lustrous satin-like quality and has an excellent finish. One other characteristic of satinwood is its aroma. When cut and worked it smells like coconut oil. Satinwood was an expensive timber, and it was used, on the whole only for special pieces for wealthy clients. It was frequently used in combination with ebony.

ANTIQUE FURNITURE FOR MODERN LIVING

Antique furniture can be beautifully combined with modern pieces and design. It gives a space a more contemporary look while keeping the sophisticated traditional elegance in harmony along with it. The old and new, along with the right accessories, can learn to live together very well. Assuming that choosing, mixing and placing pieces are carefully thought of.

An antique dining table will look great with modern chairs or a modern desk with an antique office chair will add individuality and character to your interior.

View 'Antiques at home' on our website to get some ideas on styling antique furniture.

Antique Furniture for Modern Living l The Past Perfect Collection l Singapore

Jessica Helgerson Interior design.

AUTHENTIC AND GENUINE

We have established good and long-lasting relationships with reliable suppliers. Handpicking the pieces ourselves in India also enables us to guarantee they are authentic and genuine antiques. Items are only included when high standards are met.

The product database, which you can view on our website, contains a selection of the antique furniture we have for sale in our store. View our latest acquisitions here.

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If you would like more information about some of the displayed pieces or you have other enquiries, please send us an email to info@pastperfect.sg.

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