Neat shops in NYC?

March 21, 2004 8:41 AM

I'm heading to NYC in a few days and I was curious if anyone knew of any cool shops where I could find some nifty ancient artifacts for sale. I'm also curious about if anyone knows of any art galleries or shops that deal with old pieces of art. I'm on a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I'll take any suggestions because I like to window shop).
posted by Stynxno to shopping (7 comments total)

I don't know if this is the sort of ancient artifacts you mean, but stop by here anyhow. Excellent stuff.
posted by oflinkey at 9:18 AM on March 21, 2004

...errrrr natural history artifacts.
/not paying attention
posted by oflinkey at 9:19 AM on March 21, 2004

Argosy Books has an entire floor (upstairs) dedicated to antique maps and the like. Very cool — and modestly priced.
posted by silusGROK at 9:32 AM on March 21, 2004

Check out Evolution NYC at 120 Spring St (in SoHo) for some awesome natural history artifacts, like the ones oflinkey posted about.

If you're talking about old art objects, I REALLY suggest you don't bother, because most of what is available is illegal, and continued purchase of such items is the driving force behind looting of protected archaeological sites the world over.

Some more information from a speech by Colin Renfrew, possibly the world's most reknowned living archaeoloist, and from the International Council of Museums on acquisitions. These guys have also done a good deal of work on the illegal antiquities trade, and have some good book references.
posted by The Michael The at 9:49 AM on March 21, 2004

Howard Nowes is supposed to be ok for that kind of thing.
posted by amberglow at 12:13 PM on March 21, 2004

Astro Gems and Minerals. 34th and Madison. Very cool store. Not cheap though. Worth a look though.
posted by gen at 12:08 AM on March 22, 2004

I know that gems are not artifacts per se, but Astro is a cool store for windowshopping and isn't that well-known (aint in a hot shopping district.)
posted by gen at 12:09 AM on March 22, 2004