Athens antique shops & markets

erlikhan · 12th February 2018, 12:48 PM

Hi. Last year i have been to Thessaloniki and visited the antique shops in “bit bazaar”. They were quiet interesting. How is the antiques market in Athens compared to Thessaloniki in quantity and quality ,especially weaponswise?

Regards

digenis · 13th February 2018, 10:56 PM

I think the quality and quantity of antique weapons in Athens is better than in Thessaloniki. Prices are high (but not as high as in the Capali Carsi). Two categories of shops: High end with insane prices and flea market antique dealers with prices closer to market value outside of Greece/Turkey. I have recent anecdotal evidence from some of the dealers that several Turkish collectors have been shopping in Athens recently. Although money, talks some dealers take into consideration the nationality of the buyer and may jack up the price or refuse to sell "cultural heritage" items. In general you find better quality and more reasonably priced items elsewhere. Hope this helps.

erlikhan · 14th February 2018, 10:28 PM

Thank you very much. So seems worth giving a check. I am interested not only in antique 'cultural heritage' items but bayonets, military arms as well.
I will give sellers some other country name , if they ask me.

erlikhan · 14th February 2018, 10:47 PM

One last question: I google and see that there is a sunday flea or antique open market on sundays in Monasteraki. But I see that there are many antique shops already operating whole week in Monasteraki. So, does the sunday market add a lot over what shops offer about militaria and antique arms?

thanks

digenis · 15th February 2018, 05:54 PM

The flea market on Sunday has a lot of vendors with items laying all over the place. Many of these vendors have local stores but others do not. When going down to the Monastiraki area check out a great antique store call "Martinos" on the expensive side but high quality items. In the flea market itself much of the good stuff is hidden in small stores in the alleys.
If I was currently living in Athens I would show you around but I now live across the pond.

12th February 2018, 12:48 PM	#1
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Athens antique shops & markets Hi. Last year i have been to Thessaloniki and visited the antique shops in “bit bazaar”. They were quiet interesting. How is the antiques market in Athens compared to Thessaloniki in quantity and quality ,especially weaponswise? Regards

13th February 2018, 10:56 PM	#2
digenis Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 48	I think the quality and quantity of antique weapons in Athens is better than in Thessaloniki. Prices are high (but not as high as in the Capali Carsi). Two categories of shops: High end with insane prices and flea market antique dealers with prices closer to market value outside of Greece/Turkey. I have recent anecdotal evidence from some of the dealers that several Turkish collectors have been shopping in Athens recently. Although money, talks some dealers take into consideration the nationality of the buyer and may jack up the price or refuse to sell "cultural heritage" items. In general you find better quality and more reasonably priced items elsewhere. Hope this helps.

14th February 2018, 10:28 PM	#3
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Thank you very much. So seems worth giving a check. I am interested not only in antique 'cultural heritage' items but bayonets, military arms as well. I will give sellers some other country name , if they ask me.

14th February 2018, 10:47 PM	#4
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	One last question: I google and see that there is a sunday flea or antique open market on sundays in Monasteraki. But I see that there are many antique shops already operating whole week in Monasteraki. So, does the sunday market add a lot over what shops offer about militaria and antique arms? thanks

15th February 2018, 05:54 PM	#5
digenis Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 48	The flea market on Sunday has a lot of vendors with items laying all over the place. Many of these vendors have local stores but others do not. When going down to the Monastiraki area check out a great antique store call "Martinos" on the expensive side but high quality items. In the flea market itself much of the good stuff is hidden in small stores in the alleys. If I was currently living in Athens I would show you around but I now live across the pond.