Antique shopping in Cochin?

Arun

I've just about convinced my parents to go on a short trip to S. India ( ) - maybe now they will understand what I've been blathering about all these years...

I've read that Old Cochin has many antique shops - has anyone been to these places? Any idea whether there is a problem with fakes, or items ripped off archaeological sites?

Any comments appreciated.

Also, any recommendations for an upmarket hotel or tour giude in Cochin?

Many thanks,
Arun

Jorge Reverter

Hi Arun,

There are many antique shops in Fort Cochin. Prices are probably higher than in other places. Normally no problem with fakes. They can send all kind of items to your country.

No need of tour guide as the only interested things in town are quite near each others in Fort Cochin and Mattanchery.
A nice hotel "The Old Courtyard Hotel" http://www.oldcourtyard.com
another one is Hotel Wellington, more expensive is " Brunton Boatyard Hotel"

Jorge

cyberhippie

Yeah I had browse around some of these shops out near the Synagogue. Some nice stuff not that I'm an expert or anything but it looked nice.
I remember I liked the old carved wooden door and lintel, until I looked at the the price
Though not antique I also like the patterned ceramic door knobs they had for sale.

john.sw

An "Antique" in India can be anything that was made today, yesterday, last year or in the days of Vasco da Gama.

It is to do with the style of the item rather than its age.

Prices in Fort Cochin are high, and most of the stuff is new.

Beware of "Cottage Industries" and Kashmiri shops. They charge very high prices indeed, and are very clever with green tourists.

Also, if you have a driver he will probably be on a commission from the shops he takes you to. This can be as high as 50% depending on how much you are ripped off.

It pays to know what you are doing if you are buying antiques. If you are merely buying a few souvenirs, then decide how much an item is worth to you and do not pay a penny more.

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Arun

Thanks a lot, guys!

haritha

It is true beware of the cottage industries or emporiums or very big air conditioned decorated shops .And these places sell things do nto have any kerala connection .This you can buy in any big cities or tourist towns .There are lot of local antique shops sell different curios some are collected and some made from okd wookd from demolsihed big houses .And these shops they never pressure you or hazzle you .There uis a nice place to stay in Mattanchery opposite Casa Maria restaurant .A tastefully designed accomodation . Another affordable place to stay in fort kochi and interesting place is Ballard bungalow , and lot of new accomodations coming up .

Happy travels in kerala

machadinha

If you are seriously into antiques, it used to be that any items over 100 years old I believe need clearance to be exported, and you may very well be asked for this if they look remotely like it (good baksheesh opportunity if nothing else).

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