Antique Beauty in the French Concession

Hong Merchant

Finding and buying quality Chinese antiques with provenance in Shanghai can be an adventure fraught with peril, but whether you’re a serious collector or a beginner, professional help is at hand - simply make an appointment to view the treasures for sale at Hong Merchant. Housed in an idyllic, 1930’s villa set on a quiet French Concession lane, this unique, private gallery-cum-showroom also doubles as a home for the owner and director, art historian and archaeologist Pia Pierre, along with selected artists who are invited from all over the globe to stay and immerse themselves in Chinese culture.

Occupying the lovingly restored space of well-worn wooden floors, exposed brick, high ceilings and arched leadlight windows are antiques spanning all periods from Qing to Art Deco, including bronzes, statues, figurines, chests, lamps, lacquer objects, fabrics and furniture. Contemporary art lines the walls, courtesy of the resident and exhibited artists that have included Christian Renonciat, Angel Gescheff, Ann Yen and Caroline Beauzon. An upstairs balcony, downstairs sunroom and lush garden offer numerous vantage points from which to take in the peaceful scenery and perfect backdrop for that antique armoire, turn of the century footstool, or cutting-edge piece from Aurèle’s Lost Dog series, bringing a whole new meaning to home shopping.