PHOTOS BY KRISTINE GOODRICH
These Boots Were Made for Antiquing
A Journey Down King Street
BY KRISTINE GOODRICH
While many people refer to this bustling coastal region as “Chucktown” or “The Holy City,” Charleston was originally founded in 1670 as Charles Towne, in honor of King Charles II of England. Charleston adopted its present name in 1783. While the earliest settlers were primarily English, Charles Towne was also home to many French, Scottish, Irish and German settlers.
A large part of what makes Charleston so special is its history. When walking through the streets downtown, you can’t help but wonder what things were like back in the day. You might wonder who lived in the magnificent houses encompassing the Battery, what the shops on King Street looked like in the 1800s, or what kind of atmosphere the city had before all the massive growth of the 21st century.
Whether you find yourself asking these questions or you’re simply a curious traveler, the antique stores of lower King Street can help satisfy your imagination. While there are many places to pop into, there are two stores that sparked my interest.
George C. Birlant and Company is on the corner of King and Clifford streets. It is a rather large store bursting with immaculate silver cutlery, rich mahogany furniture and many other odds and ends. George Birlant originally founded this antique store in 1922. He was a well-known realtor and later became known for his collection of English Georgian furniture and silver.
Walking into Birlant’s Antiques, you will be amazed at the floor-to-ceiling collection of antiques that the Birlants and Slotins have to offer. The owners travel extensively to England to hand select each and every antique they place in their store. Vendors range from antique fairs and auctions to vendors they have done business with for decades. Regardless, this place is one of a kind and is sure to take you back in time.
One of the owner’s favorite pieces is a fabulous antique desk circa 1770-1800. Straight from England, it is pure mahogany and is characteristic of the Georgian period Chippendale style. The desk is hand carved and was modeled after a chest of drawers with a drop-down writing surface. Something like this piece could be found in the home of aristocratic families and statesmen. With a price tag of $34,500, this is definitely an artifact worth remembering.
A second memorable piece is a French Napoleon III lacquered tortoiseshell and boulle Tantalus set or “Cave a Liqueur” with four amber hand cut crystal decanters and 10 glasses. This set is from the 1860s and was used to serve alcohol. The colors are extremely eye catching and a piece like this was a symbol of the French art of entertaining. This dainty piece of history is a great item to stumble upon.
If you continue venturing down King Street, you will run into Jacques Antiques, run by Jacques Lemoine. This store specializes in 17th, 18th and 19th century French antiques. Walking into this store is like entering France itself. Everything is personally selected by the owner for its character, beauty and authenticity. Since the French were some of the first settlers in Charleston, this quaint little shop is right at home.
One of Lemoine’s current projects is a pair of Napolean III period Paris porcelain lamps. They are former oil lamps with the “Carcel” system that have been craftily converted into regular bulb lamps. Bernard Carcel invented the oil lamp in the 1800s, and you can still see where the key was used to adjust the wick and tool rack. These lamps are truly one of a kind. With intricate artwork and a vibrant orange glaze, they easily fit into any of the historic Charleston homes. It is no surprise interior designers come far and wide to explore the shops nestled in downtown Charleston.
One of the most interesting antiques I stumbled upon has to be the 15th century French oak chest located inside Jacques Antiques. It is from France during the late Middle Age period (circa 1450), before Columbus discovered America. Although the wood on top was replaced in the early 17th century, the original hardware has been preserved. Minor adjustments were made to shorten the feet, but the chest is in pristine condition. It was used to store clothes and other garments during that time. It is amazing to see something that is so well preserved and that can still be used.
Although the spotlight was on two European antique stores located in the heart of downtown Charleston, this city has much more to offer. Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley and Summerville are also home to many historical artifacts waiting to be admired. For any curious local or traveler, antiquing is the perfect way to let your imagination run free.