Antiques in high demand despite sluggish market

Antiques in high demand despite sluggish market

I. Christianto, Contributor, Jakarta

Exhibitions and furniture fairs are held regularly in Jakarta
and other major cities in the country. The number of such events
continues to increase despite the not-so-favorable economic
conditions in the country.

This indicates that the market for antique furniture,
representing people from the higher income groups, is not
affected by the economic crisis as furniture fairs and showrooms
are always packed with visitors.

The most-sought-after products are ethnic and antique
furniture, as they are timeless and also reflect the status of
the owners.

Sisan Pradono, owner of San Surya furniture in Jakarta, said
there was an increasing market for antique furniture.

"Some people are now changing their taste to ethnic or antique
styles from the post-modern types. From my experience I see that
customers in the higher income bracket consist mostly of young
families who are educated abroad. Since antique furniture is
popular now in other countries, they are also acquire a liking
for antique furniture," he said.

Pradono, who has been in the business since 1989 and focuses
on art and craft style, said furniture was usually regarded as
antique if it was made between 60 and 100 years ago.

"Furniture can also be classified as antique if it is made
using old wood. But it is difficult to find such products now,"
he said.

He said the antique furniture usually came from the Dutch
colonial era, therefore many of the models were of Western
European style.

"Don't forget, however, that Indonesia is also rich in its own
antique furniture. Furniture made in Jepara, Kudus and other
places in the country is of very high quality," he said, adding
that his company also produced antique reproductions in local
styles popular with foreigners.

Devi Tana of Devi Collection in Kemang, South Jakarta, agreed
with Pradono.

"Antique furniture from Indonesia is of the same quality as
that of China and India," she said, adding that antique and
ethnic style furniture was always in demand.

But because of import duty and delivery costs, the price of
overseas antique furniture is always much higher in Indonesia.

"About 80 percent of the buyers at Devi Collection are
foreigners. Many of them are attracted to antique furniture
originating from Central Java (Kudus and Jepara), Madura and
Lombok," she said.

As a matter of fact, many of the buyers also sought furniture-
related items from other places in Indonesia including Bali,
Lombok and Toraja.

Genuine antique furniture is not cheap. Prices may start from
tens of millions up to hundreds of millions of rupiah.

Pradono said just like modern furniture, antique furniture
included various items like living room sets, dining sets, chests
of draws, cupboards, wardrobes, corner tables and benches.

"Those interested in antiques but unable to afford them
usually buy antique reproductions which cost much less than the
genuine item. A simple teak living room set costs some Rp 4
million (about US$400 million)," he said, adding that antique
furniture was usually made of teak.

He said that some Indonesian antique furniture was also made
of jackfruit wood and Sengon Jawa wood. Reproductions are also in
demand as the prices are much cheaper.

"The difference is in the age of the wood. It is important to
remember that due to its scarcity, genuine antique furniture is
highly priced now," he said.

Meanwhile, Devi said that most of the antique furniture and
other antique items at her shop she acquired by surveying various
villages.

"It's not so easy now to hunt for real antique furniture.
Sometimes I visit a remote area and find antique items, but the
owner does not want to sell," she said.

Furniture makers are very careful as those seeking antique
furniture are very experienced. The buyers are really
knowledgeable and do not just want to have ethnic or traditional
styles.

Both Devi and Pradono agreed that competition was getting
tougher and price wars were inevitable.

"However, it seems that each shop has its own specialty and
specific market. The buyers have already understood where to find
particular designs and models," she said.

The most popular antique furniture includes living room sets,
cupboards and wardrobes. Bookshelves and benches are also
popular.

Both Sun Surya and Devi Collection also export their products.

Export destinations include the United States, Western Europe,
Australia and South Africa, said Devi. Pradono exports to the
U.S. and Europe.

A major challenge for local antique furniture companies is
that now many foreign buyers are trying to buy directly from
well-known places like Kudus and Jepara.

There are also other challenges as some foreign buyers are now
eying neighboring nations such as Vietnam due to lower prices.
Actually some of the buyers have also shifted their orders to
other countries such as Malaysia or China -- Indonesia's
competitors in the furniture business. If the economic slowdown
in buyer countries continues, it will also be another challenge.
The issue of ecolabeling also stands as another challenge for
Indonesia's furniture makers in general as some nations,
especially those in Europe, are very strict with ecolabeling,
without which the product will be rejected.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS),
Indonesian furniture exports totaled $1.64 billion in 2000, with
most furniture being sold to the U.S., Japan, the Netherlands,
Germany, England, Belgium, Australia, Singapore and Spain.
Tips for buying antique furniture
* Check the condition of the wood. A single crack means a lower
price, but the furniture may still be able to be restored.
* Find out the type of wood. Most antique furniture is made of
teak.
* Check the design and model. Does it represent the period that
it was made in?
* Check for the final touch. Some furniture can be refinished.
* Ask for a humidity test of the wood. Good furniture should
contain kiln-dried wood before processing.
* Compare prices.