Through Four Seasons' Eyes Budapest - IMEX America

Antiques
The collector’s paradise
104
BÁV
(V. Bécsi utca 1-3; www.bav.hu)
This state-run operation is
the oldest auction house in
Hungary with several outlets
in the capital, each focusing on
particular branches of antiques
from paintings to furniture,
carpets, statuettes, decorative
art and jewelry. BÁV shops are
identifiable by the maroon-andwhite
Venus de Milo sign, but
only the central outlet on Bécsi
utca – the largest of all – holds
auctions; one in May and another
in November.
Ernst Galéria
(V. Irányi utca 27, V. Zrínyi utca 14;
www.ernstgaleria.hu)
This elegant shop specializes
in paintings from the 1800s
and 1900s, graphic arts and
furniture from the early 1900s
including beautiful examples
of Secessionist, Art-Deco and
Bauhaus styles. Ernst also has
an impressive collection of
decorative ceramics from the
1930s and 1940s as well as vintage
art books, propaganda and film
posters – some are part of the
gallery’s permanent collection
while others are for sale. The
downtown location frequently
hold exhibits.
Gallery 5*6*7*
(VI. Benczúr utca 2;
www.gallery567.hu)
Belgian-born collector Peter
Langh has a deep appreciation
for ‘souvenirs of dictatorship’ –
manufactured behind the Iron
Curtain between the late 1940s
and the 1980s. Retro furniture
and lighting to EU standard
feature alongside paintings,
ceramics and wall carpets, all
the way to copycats of Danish
furniture designer Panton
Verner. Bauhaus and Art-Deco
finds occasionally make an
appearance.
Központi Antikvárium
(V. Múzeum körút 13-15;
www.kozpontiantikvarium.hu)
The Központi Antikvárium’s
collection consists largely of
antique books, such as works
written by theologians and
monks more than 300 years ago.
Languages covered include Latin,
German, French and Hungarian.
Also featured in its collection
are engravings and maps from
the Middle Ages. They hold four
auctions per year – two in the
spring and two before Christmas.
Montparnasse
(V. Falk Miksa utca 10;
www.montparnasse.co.uk)
As the name suggests, the focus
at Montparnasse is on French
antiques, particularly from the
1930s when Art Deco was all the
rage. The shop’s proprietor Beáta
Szabó studied linguistics at the
Sorbonne and interior design
in Brighton and has a penchant
for striking antique pieces,
lovingly restored dining room
sets, display cabinets and myriad
decorative items.
Móró Antik
(V. Falk Miksa utca 13;
www.moroantik.hu)
Local connoisseurs of antique
firearms, swords and exotic
pieces of Eastern art such as