There’s a certain charm that comes with owning items that tell stories of years past. Especially so if said items once belonged to families and individuals who once wielded power and influence in Europe.
“This is something that more collectors are realizing,” says Angelique Lhuillier, owner of Casa de Memoria, an auction house in Brgy. Bel-Air. “Beautiful old things that hold memories—there’s something very special about them. It’s like owning a piece of history.”
Lhuillier’s conclusion came following Casa de Memoria’s recently held fourth auction, where a great majority of the lots sold once belonged to prominent European families. According to her, more than anything, it confirmed her belief that there is a market for European heirlooms in the country.
Among the lots sold were a vintage Chesterfield seat, a Russian malachite perfume burner set, an Underwood typewriter, a Haviland Limoges porcelain service set, a 100-year-old Vista Alegre crystal service set from Portugal, and an 18-karat gold Italian charm bracelet whose provenance dates back to the early 20th century. The said bracelet’s charms carry the form of Kingdom of Italy’s crown emblem, as well as oval figures with filigree embellishments.
“After our fourth auction, what we realized is that there are local collectors who find European antiquities and heirlooms so interesting that they keep coming back to purchase items—across different art disciplines—with special historical significance,” Lhuillier adds.
Casa de Memoria is located at the corner of Jupiter and Comet St. in Bel-Air, Makati.
For more information, you may visit CasaDeMemoria.com or @CasaDeMemoria on Instagram and @TheCasaDeMemoria on Facebook.