Own a piece of History: Delhi's curio shops

There’s nothing like an antique piece to add class and character to your home. Although authentic ones are hard to come by, yet, once in a while you do bag in that collector’s item.

Like any other city, Delhi too has its share of fake and real but if you are able to sniff out the wheat from the chaff you can ramble through markets at Sundernagar, Jama Masjid (Chor Bazaar), Hauz Khas village, Qutub Minar and Janpath for a slice of old-world charm in brass lamps, miniatures, wooden chests and Buddhist tangkhas. Or else, here’s a low-down on some of the dealers, on whom you can count.

Coins and stamps
If collecting coins has you occupied, find some old ones at Vivek Singh’s in Govindpuri Extension. He keeps rare Indian and foreign coins that are worth your while. The collection includes those from the East India Company, particularly the cute one anna coins.

For the rarest stamps pay a visit to Karol Bagh, N Rajpal’s to be precise, who has on sale the used 1852 Scindedawk among others. Stamps with error, such as the one with King George's head missing, is also part of the lot. From 4 lakh to 80 lakh, the cost of the stamps vary depending on age, errors on them, varieties, essays and colour trials.

Art and collectibles
Pichwai paintings of the Krishna cult, Ravi Vermas, Tanjore paintings or tribal art: you can find them all at Gallery in Sunder Nagar. The antique wooden doors here will surely catch your fancy.

Furniture
Old and ornate wooden furniture, brass lamps and figurines of gods and goddesses at Kumbakonam Arts (Jangpura Extension) are quite an eyeful. This store specialises in antique furniture and collectibles from southern India.

Puratan at Aurobindo Marg beckons you with its collection of furniture from Gujarat, including carved tables and almirahs in Burma teak. This store also does reproductions.

Collecting antiques is perhaps an expensive hobby. But if it’s class you’re looking for nothing beats the vintage look.