In the famous words of a collector, "I don't have any consultants or advisors. I obviously talk to people, but to use a cliche, you should buy art with your eyes and not with your ears."

Bob Frassinetti.

All about Antique Tours here in Plaza Dorrego, San Telmo and Buenos Aires, as well as all Argentina,..... Chile and Uruguay.

Antiquing in Buenos Aires by Bob Frassinetti.



Rare and incredible objects, furniture, books, toys, artworks… all those antiques and collectibles you dream of can be found in Buenos Aires.
Once upon a time Buenos Aires was a very small port city with very little population surrounded by one of the world’s most fertile lands. Not too far away there were several other populations with very different traditions to the Spaniards who had populated this portside area. As the city grew and the Porteñan society evolved many Europeans chose Argentina to be their home. They immigrated with all their possessions from every corner of the old continent. This flow from Europe to Argentina first began in mid 19th century, and has never stopped till now. At the same time, as the world evolved –wars, economical possibilities, inspiration, were many of the causes that help other people chose our country as their own.
All of these new immigrants that were coming from Europe (Western and Eastern), Middle East, Asia and Africa, as well as many other Latin American countries, brought with them all kinds of objects, from paintings to mirrors and combs, from decorative items to all kinds of furniture, and so on.

This brief history of immigration in Argentina might help those that don’t know our country to understand a bit about the eclectic variety of items that can be found in this beautiful city that is Buenos Aires (specially Buenos Aires because it has always been the main gate to our great and beautiful country). Many of them were brought in immigration ships, many others were sent to these families from their homelands, some others were imported, and some other ones were the result of business among relatives who lived in their homelands and these new immigrants that were building a life in our Pampas. Those valuable family objects some times due to hard economic situations, or may be because there was no one to inherit them, have taken a path towards flea markets, auctions or antiques shops.



During the last few years there has been a huge turn in our economy, the peso (local currency) has lost much of its value in relation to the dollar and the Euro, this situation has impacted in many areas of our everyday life. On the dark side one of the biggest consequences of this economic shift has been an intense flow of goods towards all kinds of markets, in order to keep on with a certain lifestyle. Therefore many families have found themselves in a situation were they had to sell many of their family’s goods. On the bright side this new valuation of the peso has made of Argentina a more appealing place to visit for foreigners, since its much cheaper than many other big international metropolis though still shows all its splendor in its culture, art, fashion and good sense of living.

Our local flea markets, open fairs and antiques shops are open history books that show this turns in our lives.

Plus, these are excellent places to shop for those items all art lovers dream of, as well as an excellent opportunity for art dealers that wish to offer their regular clients high class items at reasonable prices.

One of the most beautiful open air markets in the city is in the historical neighborhood of San Telmo, that’s open all day during Sundays, from very early in the morning to late in the afternoon. Surrounded by countless antiques shops that open their doors to the public all week long, this fair is just beautiful, with very good quality items… Bargaining is always an interesting possibility when acquiring these type of objects, always a plus to get what you want at the price you want to.

In the outskirts of the city, the Solano fair is one outstanding market where if you have a sharp eye for antiques you can find absolutely amazing treasures. Since this fair is very much for locals you can find all from old clothes, semi used house goods, and whatever people had and needed to sell… Its always better to visit this outskirts out of the tourists path fair with a local, best if you know what you want but don’t have much time and your Spanish is not very good.

Back to the city, one excellent flea market is the Dorrego Market, in the heart of Palermo, very nearby a great restaurants area, this market has all kinds of items. Its just a matter of walking around and talking with the local people that are very kind and would gladly help you in your quest.

On the other end of the city, during the weekends there’s an other kind of flea market in Peru abajo. Located in the beautiful residential area of Acasusso you will find this fair has all kinds of decorative items and furniture, one of its specialties are chandeliers at very reasonable prices… High class and good prices, one excellent combo!



These are the most representative fairs and markets in BA. There’s nothing you can’t get, you name it, they have it… And of course, these are excellent sights when touring through the city of tango, ‘cause there are many different street shows that weekly chose those locations to show their art: tango, puppeteers, street theatre, live music, plus all kinds of local street food to enjoy during your walk, there’s no way that can go wrong!

The Early Years ....

Buenos Aires has become home & all of South America my back yard 

The Big Island of Chileo, Chile, Bits of England.

Topic: Bob Frassinetti

 

 

 

 

And all about Antique Tours here in Plaza Dorrego, San Telmo and all Argentina, Chile and Uruguay by Bob Frassinetti.

 

Exporting Art and Antiques World Wide.

 

Travelling Argentina for Antiques collectibles and Art

 

 

Traveling is all about meeting people, going through different experiences, enjoying different cultures and discovering foreign and interesting sites.

I’ve traveled throughout the south of South America, and I truly believe that a great part of making a memorable experience out of a journey is meeting people, locals specially.

 

Getting to know the site through a local’s point of view is a wonderful experience, off the path outings… following the popular saying: “when in Rome, you do what Romans do”. That’s my leitmotiv when traveling.

I also adore my country. I’m a proud Argentinean who has discovered throughout the years the beauty and mysteries of this southern country. Hence I began sharing throughout forums and websites my experiences, tips on what to do when visiting our country. And as I kept on writing about the various customs of our culture I kept on discovering things –little treasures- that I thought were for granted. A great wine, an outstanding site within the city, my own refuge from the craziness of a cosmopolite city, an off the path antique fair… this has been a two way street  experience, for at the same time I proudly share the beauties of my land, I have found myself discovering many new and interesting features too.

I even have met some great people through these forums, people who came to BA and met with me, with which we’ve had an amazing time and enjoyed a great conversation, a glass of outstanding Argentinean wine.

 

I’ve written about art & antiques, visiting the Patagonia or riding the train up to the Andes through the clouds, shopping and leisure in the city of Tango and of course, about the great pleasure Argentineans take on good eating. I’ve always focused on our most traditional dish, asado, for I’ve thought it was the most perfect way of getting into the Argentinean feel.

However I’ve recently discover, that Argentineans –alike many countries within the world who have been built hand in hand thanks to a great flow of immigration, are not all the same. We –as a nation-  share our culture and language, but each and every one of us is unique. We each have a particular life’s history that has made us be what we are, and it’s important not to forget about that. To me, that particular part of myself is curry. Yes, food. Yes, Indian food, which I got into when I lived in London and in the British Guyana. My speciality is my Indian-British- Argentinean curry… Hmmm; Indian from origin, British for it’s were I picked it up, and Argentinean for non of these countries have the superb kind of meat we have down here in Argentina and that adds that special something to it.

This is my bonding meal, I cook it for my special people. It’s a ceremony which I find most amusing.

Not to brag, but it’s the best curry in the country! I won’t say my secret for I’m an artist, and that would spoil the magic… You must come down here and experience it yourself.