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| Back Street Antiques |
| (909) 599-6052
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120 West Bonita Avenue
Suite H
San Dimas, CA 91773
Driving
Directions |
| Web: www.backstreetantiques.com |
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Hours of Operation:
Wednesday - Sunday: 11AM - 5PM |
Showroom Finder member since:
September 2005 |
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| About Us: |
Designer Florence Quinn created Back Street using the finest elements of the decorative arts. This highly sophisticated repository of Victorian elegance has a signature style as unmistakable as her handwriting.
This vintage shop, an impressive tapestry of interior design and classically inspired furnishings, is a virtual hidden treasure of antiques and fine arts nestled in the Courtyard of the San Dimas Historical District. Imported fabriques, gilded French and Italian furniture in the Rococo and French Renaissance revival manner of mid 18th and 19th centuries showcases a midas touch to the oppulence of a bygone
era.
French armoires brimming with imported fabriques, laces, linens, and Victorian apparel circa 1823 to 1900 creates a perfect backdrop for exceptional quality in the timeless china, faiance, crystal, and silver that she fondly refers to as "jewelry for the table". Such well renowned names include Limoges, R.S. Prussia, Theodore Haviland, Rosenthal, Tirschenreuth, Pickard, Noritake, and Heisy & Pairpont.
A Spring and Summer cottage garden vignette always features a charming selection of shabby chic furniture in the French fashion. And, a most favorite find is imported lavender from our secret garden just outside Paris.
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| Tips for Antique Shopping: |
1. Antiques are, by definition, at least 100 years old. Anything else is “vintage” or a “collectible”.
2. Move the piece away from walls and other items so you can get a good look at all sides, including the bottom. Study the piece under bright light or ask to take it outside if the weather is not inclement.
3. Examine the finish for natural signs of wear. Authentic pieces will have dirt in crevices or in places that are hard to clean, and wear around knobs and on drawers caused by friction. The absence of such wear may indicate that the piece is not old, or that it has been refinished. The latter is not necessarily bad if it’s been done well, but it will lower the piece’s value in most instances.
4. Negotiate. An all-in-good-fun, see-what-you-can-do-for-me attitude gets you a lot further with dealers than a negative, attacking stance. |
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