I discovered a quaint cluster of stores five years ago in an old fashioned commercial building called King’s Village just behind Grand Hyatt Hotel in Honolulu.
There was an antique fine porcelain gallery on the second floor but it was closed.
The items they had on display were really beautiful pieces of china. I wished to go back. We were leaving for Manila on that day that’s why I couldn’t go back the next day. I felt so bad. I wished to go back. I told myself, It would take several more years or not even before I come back to Hawaii, and maybe that store would no longer be there.
It’s still here!
I bought that tiny Xmas tree ornament by Wedgwood for $19 + 4.17 tax
They also have Lladro. I don’t buy Lladro. I avoided them for fear of knocking them off. Mahirap na. Ubos ang baon pambayad pag naka basag.
The store, Royal Selection sells rare pieces, mostly antiques of mint quality.
Look at that cup and saucer, $2,400 for one tasa and one platito.
$800 for the green cup and saucer
After I’ve seen their average price, I knew already that there’s nothing in that store that I would be able to buy. One plate merong $450, meorng $2,000,
Sa lahat ng Buddha eto ang payatot pero yung price nya hindi payatot. It’s US$12,600, mura pa yan ha.
Messein, Germany circa 1765. According to the sales person, it’s slightly repaired that’s why the price is low.
A fine porcelain planter box made by Dresden, Germany. Circa 1870 Price $23,000
Ano kaya ang halaman na mailagay natin dito to justify using it as a planter box? Money tree. The one that really bears dollars, euro, pounds sterling, swiss francs. Philippines pesos okay rin as long as real money.
We met the owner, Professor Shigeki Kato. He was such an inspiration. He knows the history behind every piece of item in his store. We spent almost an hour there and it was like going to a museum with an able curator. It was such a privilege listening to him.
Prof. Kato taught us the basic process of making porcelain figurines during the 1700 and till now. He taught us how to distinguish a real Meissen from a copy, imitation, not Meissen, less of a Meissen, etc. Basta hindi Meissen.
Oyen spent many minutes choosing a plate that has her birth year. She decided to buy it, $150 yata. Kala ko bibilhin, tapos biglang namahalan, wag na lang daw. Sometimes you could find those plates in antique shops or maybe on ebay at a fraction of the selling price.
Professor Kato enthusiastically showed us the difference of a Meissen from other porcelain and quality brands.
There was a large bowl with cover locked in a display case that was marked SOLD. The design was beyond intricate. It was bought by a Japanese collector from Vancouver, Canada. It’s a super rare museum piece, the original value could reach $400,000 but since some minor restorations were done, it sold for only $48,500. I didn’t take a photo, nahiya ako. It would be shipped and donated to a museum in Japan.
I was about to leave na when I saw this small table. Aha! these pieces are slightly damaged or some have unnoticeable imperfections. My spirit became alive! Hope is not lost.
I was able to buy a tiny Meissen cup for $5, lucky me. I found a saucer for $10 and another item for $20. Basta I paid $69 in total including the tiny Xmas ornament. I was satisfied with my purchase plus the invaluable knowledge we learned from Professor Keto.
The King’s Village would no longer be here in one or two years. The whole complex was recently sold to an investment group from Hongkong. The building would be torn down to give way to a high-rise residential apartments / condos. I wish I am around when the gallery starts packing their merchandise. Baka 90% off!
Royal Selection Antique Porcelain Gallery
King’s Village
435 Walina Street #803
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
(1) (808)271-1304
[email protected]
They have a much smaller shop at Kalakaua Avenue beside ABC Store infront of Moana Surf Rider and in Ala Moana Shopping Center. But the one in King’s Village behind the Grand Hyatt Regency is the main store.
Indeed, all these little shops will be closing. I’m not sure if you recall the International Market from your previous visits, but it was recently (as in super recent) demolished because ipapatayo ang Saks Fifth Avenue doon.