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Do you love antiques? Do you enjoy bargain hunting? Are you crazy about repurposing second-hand furniture? Look no further! Maltese homeowners are spoilt for choice when looking to buy something in the antiques department. There’s quite a few local Facebook groups devoted to buying and selling antique items, both beautiful and functional, at bargain prices. Let’s have a look at seven of the most popular groups and what they have to offer!
(Members: 1,319)
Find doors, chairs, typewriters, bureaus, lamps to kitchen sets and proper antique treasure troves such as old magazines and newspapers, handmade works and paintings.
Our pick from Antiques Malta
David Grima (full profile name David Grima Victoriana Antiques) frequently posts different gems, from units to bottles. This time around, we’re featuring these antique bottles used in the past to store gin, port, and medicine, among other things. These bottles have, with time, become highly collectible. You just don’t get that kind of thick, lustrous quality in glass bottles anymore. They’re so pretty to look at that you could easily repurpose them as vases for flowers or use them to mix in mineral oils. After giving them a good scrub, imagine how lovely they’d look with the sunlight streaming through them!
(Members: 18,347)
This group is the most popular out of the bunch, seeing dozens of posts from different homeowners in Malta selling all sorts of valuables, from units, cabinets and desks to appliances and technologies. Despite the whopping number of members, we were pleasantly surprised to see how well organised the group is; just one note: read the rules!
Our pick from Malta Bargain Antiques, Retro, Vintage For Sale
We came across this lovely set, consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. The seem to be in very good condition, and even the fabric doesn’t seem to have faded. However, if you want a bolder option, reupholster the set with some stunning new fabric.
(Members: 370)
Created in 2017, this group still only consists of less than 400 members, yet it’s impressive how many posts are published on it.
Mainly dealing in smaller antique collectibles (with the occasional large furniture piece), there’s quite a number of things to be found on here.
Our pick(s) from Collectibles and more Malta
For example, you might be interested in this antique clock dating to 1882. Known amongst collectors as a gingerbread clock, these types of kitchen clocks were made after the American Civil War and remained popular up until World War I. Beautiful as well as functional, we can also confirm that it’s in full working order as the seller recently had it restored.
Or perhaps you’d like to adorn an empty wall with this marvellous tapestry, which takes for its subject Francois Boucher’s The Shepherd’s Gift (also known as The Nest). While the original painting was made in 1790, its romantic subject matter made it popular amongst artists looking to recreate it in different media. This tapestry is from around the 1960s or 1970s, and is ready to be hung and enjoyed.
(Members: 5,113)
Gigi’s Antiques & Collectables advertises the antique items that the establishment’s proprietor, Gigi Zammit, acquires and makes available.
Our pick(s) from Gigi’s Antiques & Collectibles
You may want to take this 1930s hand-hammered brass planter home with you, give it a good clean, and place a vibrant indoor plant inside it. Or perhaps this 1930s silver brooch with what appears to be a coral centre, which would certainly make for a lovely present. Have a housewarming party to attend? Why not take along this 1980s (or earlier) hand-painted terracotta bonbon dish? There’s something for every occasion here, and the unbeatable prices they’re going for are positively unbelievable!
(Members: 17,668)
With over 1,044 posts in the last 30 days, this group is a must join if you want to stay on top of what’s available!
Our pick(s) from Ghamara u affarijiet tad-dar ghal bejgħ (Furniture and House Items for Sale)
Fancy a trip down memory lane to nanna’s house? This vintage ceramic telephone is the perfect addition to inject old local character to your living room or foyer. If you’re looking for something a tad more functional, take a look at the door frames and units in excellent condition.
Note: Here’s why old furniture is always ideal in a home. Old furniture is made from artisans who ensure proper craftmanship, this refers to the wood used, the handling of the joins, the avoidance of laminates and melamine. A huge amount of care goes into creating handcrafted furniture, which means it’s going to be more durable and robust than what you’ll find in the market today. Point is, unless you’re willing to spend big bucks, any new furniture you get will not last half as long.
(Members: 7,719)
With over 1,044 posts in the last 30 days, this group is a must join if you want to stay on top of what’s available! Note, this is a private group, so you must join in order to see the posts.
Our pick(s) from MaLtA ViNtage, AnTiques and CoLlecTibles
Maintaining strict guidelines, and ensuring that only old items are advertised, this is yet another antiques group that offers a wide variety of things. This drawer below, for example, can be totally transformed with new knobs, some paint, and tlc. Sadly this is a private group, so clicking the photo won’t take you anywhere.
(Members: 1,044)
Our pick(s) from ANTIQUES AUCTIONS MALTA
There are so many antiques on here that are ripe for repurposing. Arrange this antique safe, remove its lock, and leave it as an open display for your books. The same could be done with this rare Bonney Forge Corporation (founded in 1876) toolbox; remove the rust, maybe get it spray-painted in some bright galvanised colour, and you’ve got a new storage unit for your bedroom. And this leather suitcase could be restored and have legs attached beneath it to be transformed into a functional coffee table.
Did you enjoy this article? Have a look at some other articles on why upcycling old furniture is both fun and kind to your wallet.
Our team at House.mt is always on the look-out for spaces, places, and things that are being built up, torn down, modernised, restored, or re-purposed – be it by a big team or a one-man(or woman)-army.
Send us a message on our Facebook page or via email, info@house.mt.
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