One of the great charms of Londön is the Portobello Market, a weekly assembly of antique dealers from across the country who drive down delights of all shapes and sizes, often bric a brac and at times treasures.

You will find specialists—even scholars of their trade—of glassware to silver, furniture, crockery, dolls, statues, porcelain, and more. Rummaging through their stalls I sometimes find things that simply delight me. I don’t often buy but a chat about the object, and some good banter on the price and origins make my Saturday. At other times, good old-fashioned haggling lands the object at home.

Today I saw two really fun things. One is a Kashmiri scribe’s box from the late 19th century made of wood with Kashmir lacquer. Though it’s not high art and some might call it kitch, I was thrilled at the sheer detail, the superb condition, and the story it appeared to be telling.

The other was a mid-19th century Lahore koftgari plate with Mughal-style flowers and inlaid verses. Though there were condition issues, it was a monumental object at 22 inches wide and it’s once glorious past was still visible upon closer inspection.
Enjoy!