The penchant for things of the past

Plush sofas, innovative lighting system, steel furniture, glass doors and many other interior design objects have hit the markets. But when it comes to giving that classic and appealing look to a house, office or even a hotel perhaps, nothing comes in as handy as those good old and antique items.

But finding an old item or an authentic antique piece in twin cities is not as easy as signing an interior designer to decorate your house. This is where Moghal Arts Decoration House at Banjara Hills Road No. 1 caters to your needs.

Be it wall clocks, porcelain articles, chandeliers, coins, old photographs, furniture, wooden chest and above all gramophones and records, a visit to this small shop on the ever busy Banjara Hills gives one the pleasure of making a journey into the past.

“We have been in this business since three decades and have lots of collection, particularly different furniture, cupboards and gramophones. Our source of collection are the nawabs, jagirdars, tahsildars and other eminent families in twin cities and surrounding districts,” says Mirza Azhar Ali Baig, owner of the shop.
Range and rate

While the clocks collection date back to 1940’s and cost from Rs.2,500 to Rs.6,000, pocket watches range from Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000, dining tables costs from Rs.8,000 to Rs.20,000 (the more the intricate carvings, the more is price), Mughal paintings made by water colours cost about Rs.15, 000 per piece.

Mr. Baig claims that majority of the items sold at his outlet are four decades-old and some date back to pre-Independence era.

The good thing about this outlet is, that apart from offering old and antique items, they also take up repair works of old gramophone player needles, 78 RPM records, furniture, pocket watches, clocks etc. Ask him as to how to recognise an authentic antique or old item, pat comes the reply saying that one needs to have an eye. “While checking for furniture, normally we look for the style adopted in fixing the joints and based on carpentry, the period of the furniture is judged. For porcelain products, the style used in naming the place of the products origin, the period is judged,” he explains.

Mr. Baig says items at his outlet are used in film and television serials shootings on hire system.

He also works as a commission agent for selling and buying old and antique items on behalf of the owners. “Kharidne jao to milta nahi our bechne jao to biktha nahi, usi ka naam antique piece,” says Mr. Baig even as he continues to adjust the products in the display cupboards.