Antiques with history, story and secret - Indian Antique Quest & Giveaway

Hark back to the golden era of antiques with Sridhar Marappan, a History Background Academician, Researcher and blogger all rolled in one, who is making us revisit the glorious past of brass. Propelled by passion and open to learning at every turn Sridhar's online venture Indian Antique Quest is an Antique Curio E-Retailer with the classical forms, decorative details and a decadent touch of gold. 

Indian Antique Quest is one stop stomping ground for antique hunters. Sridhar's keen eyes for antiques and his addiction to hunt genuine pieces takes him to the sources like estates, homes, temple auctions, yard sales, renovation sites, government auction sale etc. where he also learns the history and past of each piece. With the flashback of struggles Sridhar sums up that having traveled the lengths & breadths of our country for academic research, it has provided him the opportunity to gain much inputs. Spending hours and days scrolling through and scanning through the best he accumulates only the pieces with steeped history, stories and secrets. 

The creative brain and champion behind this project is bringing you this pure luxurious metal with an equally illustrious past. With my big appetite and Sridhar's abiding passion we, the brass lovers, are taking you today for some inside scoop of Indian Antique Quest – an online gold mine of brass lovers. 

The path to antiques was set for Sridhar since his childhood, as he coins: Antiques and historical places had always fascinated me right from my childhood which is not strange as my grandfather is a great connoisseur of art and finesse. Its his experiences, stories and history was what I grew up with. Luckily some of his collections which stood the test of time were passed on to us. Firmly choosing to nurture my profound interests in history and objects through time, I achieved masters degree in history and tourism and that has helped me much through curriculum and field visit where inputs on antiques and history were gained. 

Asked upon his small business success mantra, Sridhar proudly claims: Customers are my only reason for what I am now, and that's due to my policy of high volume of business with low profit margin and non fixed prices. I often accumulate pieces from some places at a very lower prices than market value. Keeping the customers in my priority, I sell those pieces at the same low buying price giving the benefit to customers. If you consider the actual market value of the same piece, it will be way too high than our prices. In some instances, if a customer is loving a piece due to some sentimental connection but not being able to afford then in such cases I have sold for less than my buying price also. My these courtesy acts have made a strong list of regular buyers  and well wishers. I have unique pricing much lower than market because I source directly. Apart from these I myself select only the best antiques being an antique lover myself and do not settle for less, so high quality guaranteed.

Sridhar does not shy away talking about his creative soul and his role behind his brand. Sridhar opens up: I am a born dreamer, always oriented towards beauty and creativity. I am on a constant hunt of ideas and improvisations every day. There have been days when I visualize ideas in dreams and wake up to jot them down to implement next day. Fun part of my business is picking the décor stuff from my own collection and give them some perky updates around the home.

Because every successful story begins with a carefully devised products, Sridhar get excited talking about the genuineness of his products: All are 100% original antiques with a clean, happy history and story and not to forget the positive vibe. I take immense proud in giving full details about each and every piece. All are sourced directly after thorough check for quality, damages, usablity and memory inputs they carry. I also note down the history of each piece and gain additional information of improvisation of each antique and their other names.

Being on a constant hunt for antiques manning a physical outlet is not feasible for Sridhar. He belts out how his products are mainly acquired from: My self-directed observation and exploration makes me take a dive into very interior and unknown places. My main source is through few relatives from interior cities of Kerala (via royal homes) where no others can penetrate. While other come from Andhra antique regions via my good friend in the region. Thankfully many of our relatives have settled and own huge farm lands in Mysore and through their links I can reach in to huge properties. Sourcing directly from the original owners with their entwined stories my every product make it a one of a kind piece with unique appeal.

Sridhar has translated his same very experience far and wide through his online venture, where he spreads brass love with signature items and character rich accessories. If you also have a natural affinity and big appetite for antiques then do get connected on India Antique Quest's social medias to see more dizzying array of brass varieties. 

Instagram Feed 

Pinterest Account

Blog 

Facebook Page

And now some Giveaway Time :). Indian Antique Quest has a beautiful giveaway for all the readers of Pinkz Passion for celebrating 10k followers on Instagram. One lucky winner will be walking away with an antique English bowl (8 inches tall & 8 inches wide).

Follow along few simple steps as mentioned below to participate in this wonderful giveaway. 

1). 'Follow' the feeds of Pinkz Passion & Indian Antique Quest on Instagram.

2). To increase your chance of winning, follow the Facebook pages of Pinkz Passion & Indian Antique Quest

3). Leave a comment here or on any of my social media mentioning the actions you have followed.

It's as simple as that. The giveaway is open from April 2nd to April 13th. The lucky winner will be announced on April 15th (Sunday). 

The giveaway is open for all the readers across India, USA & Canada so spread the word & share the post :).

Signing out today's post thanking Indian Antique Quest for hosting a wonderful giveaway and wishing all the very best for all future business ventures. Until we meet again, stay connected, toodles!

(All images belong to Indian Antique Quest and do not copy or use without prior permission of the owner, you may pin them from Pinkz Passion's Pinterest account)

Festive Mode is on - Ganesha Chaturthi 2017

The festive season is upon us and I feel it is the best way to recharge and feel rejuvenated. Festivals give us a chance to debunk the suffering of our stereotype lives and enjoy the unapologetic and non-guilty pleasures of celebration.

 

Nevertheless, this year with our recently ended road trip and schools re-opening in a week, punishing schedules has begun to take toll on me and with that our home is an absolute madhouse.  Still the temptation to welcome 'Bappa' with all the grandeur is as strong as Fevicol adhesive :). After all, festivals are all about forgetting our worries and celebrate the positive side of life which also includes finding the time to do all your favorite things! And as you all know my favorite thing is to ignite a new romance and unfold new décor stories at the herald of any festival.

The one whose arrival has captured the social media, many homes and many hearts this festive season also is our rotund and plump bellied fella, Ganesha. Whose love runs in our genes and in our collection being the soul of our home. On this pious festival of "Ganesh Chaturthi", presenting few rare pieces of grand antiques from our collection that resonate with history. At the same time, they echo our sense of pride being a passionate collector of such gems. 

The very first in the antique series is "Sitar playing Ganesha" paired here with the rest of the antiques. My everyday gold brass is scrubbed and shined especially for the festive season. The brass water jug and small 'lota' housing flowers are recent loots from an antique dealer this summer. I personally think, these rare pieces keep us plugged in the past and surround ourselves with nostalgia and history. 

Next is an intricately carved brass hanging diya..which is quite heavy to hang. I have proudly displayed it here with all the bumps and knocks it came with. Every time I call these antiques in service, my husband wonderfully smug about collecting them all with his discerned eye, I let him take the credit of adding them to our collection ;), but it is me, who feel contented to bring out the best of them by displaying them in the nooks and corners of our home.

 

Whatever the festival it is, make-overs on my consoles and coffee table are part of my decorating DNA. Placed on my console here, the chubby little deity 'Bal-Ganesha', is my absolute favorite. Festivals are the best reason to bring out those hidden gems and scatter these treasured pieces into dead spaces. However, this Ganesha doesn't take turns often on my social media because keeping him clean is a herculean task. Though, this year, my son offered his hands for shining these beauties. His thoughtful and appreciative gesture revealed that festival values are being instilled in him firmly without being said.

And for the last of the series, I am ending with antique duo of Ganesha with more brass (is there a such thing as too much brass? Not for me!). Each of our pieces are distinct and have an individuality and character of its own. Multitude of such brass items can bring a buzz on the coffee table with ease.   

 

All this antique pieces are hunted and acquired from different antique dealers who have sourced these pieces directly from the destruction of palaces and temples, hence the exact era and age of these pieces are unknown. We feel proud to own and display these pieces from history in our collection which are hard to find in current market for owning. 

And before I wrap up this post, it hit me that you, my dear reader, might not know that these stunning but simple vignettes this year are created with the flowers from our tiny garden. With every bloom, I have leaped and whirled in one of those dances to see these babies and my green thumb grow ;).

Signing out wishing that may this festival of faith and joy bring the prosperity and happiness in you and your family. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi, enjoy the festivities until we meet again, toodles. 

Marvels of a bygone era (Prakalyam Gallery)

A lifelong obsession with antiques and natural affinity of a bygone era resulted into a recipe of a healthy business for Veshali Visvanaath. With cultivated taste and deep passion, Veshali is spreading her love of authentic and genuine antique collection far and wide through her online venture - Prakalyam gallery- one stop stomping ground for handmade antiques and colonial furniture hunters in Singapore and beyond.

When I found myself unapologetically glued on the collection of antiques and colonial furniture on Prakalyam Gallery online, I knew at an instant that it has a script-worthy story to share with my readers.

Nestled in the protective arms of Veshali, Prakalyam Gallery is an opulent place dripping with riches of antique collection that echoes India’s expertise and artistic excellence of master craftsmanship in colonial past. With chiseled to perfection pieces Prakalyam Gallery is creating a stir with their glam collection of wooden furniture, antique silver, glass and other artefacts. Each of these unusually exclusive pieces are a fusion of Indian craftsmanship and the styles of an olden colonial era.

 

It was a different ballgame when Veshali was hunting antiques for her home, but when the shopping game gone overboard for her home; Veshali translated her years of experience of curating antiques in steering a business empire of Prakalyam gallery. Though the name ‘Prakalyam’ may sound a bit challenging to pronounce, it has the perfect meaning and essence of what Veshali was looking for. It is a Sanskrit word which denotes “all things beautiful”. The word is an amalgamation of two Hindi words...pracchin and kaal which literally means ancient times.  

Accomplishments and accolades come at an easy trot for Veshali in a short span of three years.  A desi soul and a lover of simplest things, Veshali innovates with an eye to what is meaningful in her client’s beautiful homes. When it comes to products, Prakalyam is committed to suffusing its gallery with the most genuine antiques. Each piece has gone through intelligent and deliberate design process under Veshali’s supervision and care. Veshali is steadfast and has a clear blueprint of what Prakalyam Gallery should provide. With an eye for antiques and her addiction to hunt, Veshali is keen to rethink the very essence of what she puts in the gallery. Veshali personally goes through the grind of endorsing every unusual and rare piece for the gallery from India. Important pieces in the gallery are secured through auctions and personal contacts of Veshali. Keeping the line of design close to the colonial era, off lately, Veshali is also bringing a few reproductions upon request. Veshali’s business breaths on –“Being true to everything I do”.  As she firmly believes that the only thing she is answerable is her own conscience. No wonder, the uniqueness in Prakalyam brand is an expression of Veshali’s individuality and personality that has begun to cast a major influence for anyone who loves to blend classy and exclusive pieces in their homes.Prakalyam has prospered in keeping the spectacle and marvels of Indian era alive through their gallery. As we sign off, wishing Prakalyam all the very best for all future accomplishments. Do take a trip down the nostalgic lanes of a long-gone era by visiting the gallery of Prakalyam here. Follow along Prakalyam gallery on Instagram here and Facebook page here. If you ever step your feet in Singapore or you live there to drop in the physical store of Prakalyam by appointment.

Until we meet again, stay connected on Facebook and Instagram feeds of Pinkz Passion, toodles!

(Image Courtesy: Prakalyam Gallery. The pictures can not be used without a consent  from the store owners, however, you may re-pin them from Pinkz Passion's Pinterest account) 

A pot of memories...

My mom, a fervent antique lover, owns exquisite antiques and treasured handed down brass. Inhabiting in an aged pixie dust brass and special centuries past era treasures is something I have completely inherited from her. Surprising juxtaposition of different styles and era mixing with her chock-full of alluring and interesting used family heirlooms truly resonates her art of mastering the mixology. With abundance flow of flowers from her garden paired with a fresh approach in my grand mother's pot connects her to the past in a tangible way! Some day, hopefully I will share her amazing collection with you all :)

I have definitely got same good genes of her ;) For the very same sense of nostalgia few of those antiques are handed down to me by mom and now they are a cherished part of my own home décor. The diverse mix of decorating with antiques of a bygone era offers an absolute personal touch in your décor. Connecting the dots of "old" story with "new" story and probably creating "another" story with next set of users when I pass it on to my children warms up my heart. 

The excellently crafted pot, engraved with  my great grand father's name,  housing the mounds of bright yellow mums is over 100+ years old. As we grow older memories of our early childhood seems to fade away, though,  I still have vivid memories of my grandma using it. Ditching out the tray, I have also used the set of same very old "German Silver" plate as a tray on the table. I personally believe antique world treasure never go out of style. They were, they are and always will be classic, timeless and stylish.

Hold on tightly to those priceless faded treasures of antiques hiding in your parents attics, bring them into your home with whole new outlook and let them take on a new life full of exuberance and excitement.

On the other note, I have started to seize the home gracefully and have rolled down the sleeves for the upcoming festivities. Stay connected on passion page of Facebook for further updates, until we meet again, toodles!