A European Connection for Antiques

If you are an antique hound or if you love the traditional European folk look in home furnishings you may already know about this bargain source . . . European Antique Imports, where wholesale prices are the norm.

Owner Ken Peterson travels to the Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania), Russia and Scandinavia two or three times a year to handpick the inventory his team has uncovered in small towns and the countryside.

He ships these selections to the United States and sells them to dealers across the country. There is a “warehouse clearance” in progress so the prices are even better and reflect a 10% to 20% reduction from the wholesale cost.

Armoires, bookcases, tables, cabinets, buffets and hutches, most made of ash, oak, birch and pine and dating to the 1800s are on the floor at this warehouse. Some pieces have been restored, but others are in their original state.

A 19th century pine armoire in its original state would retail for about $1,400 at a reasonable antique store and more than $2,000 at a pricey one. But here that armoire is $700. Some armoires have been converted to entertainment centers and others have been altered to house computers, sliding drawer and all.

One such piece found in Estonia, dating to 1880 and boasting a hand-carved crown, is $1,475. The painted pieces also date to the 1800s, some with the original paint, some with restored paint finishes. Some wonderful hope chests painted with the traditional folk art figures start at $350; the dressers start at $575.

If you have a fatter wallet, check out the painted hutch for $2,400, which would probably run $7,500 at many antique dealers. As an accent piece, we loved the three-legged pedestal tables, all dating to the 1890s and priced from $150 to $200.

There are no two pieces alike on the floor or anywhere else for that matter.

“Apparently, there was a code among carpenters forbidding them to make the same piece twice,” Peterson said.

European Antique Imports, 3119 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. By appointment. (213) 382-2030.

WEEKEND SUPERSALE: An open-end sale is in progress at the Harris & Frank Outlet Store, where the reductions are 20% to 60% off their already discounted prices on quality men’s apparel. It gets even better if you can use some sweaters or sport shirts, many of which are 50% off.

Harris & Frank Outlet Store, 17631 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 783-2739.

For more deals, see https://www.bargainsla.com.