Golden Square Freedom Park in The City was the place to be yesterday for antiques hunters.
The inaugural Bridgetown Antiques Market featured artisans and collectors showcasing their craft or items.
Senior cultural policy and research officer with the Division of Culture Dr Sheron Johnson said the hope was to make the market a monthly event.
“We want this to become a space where locals and visitors alike can come and have quality antiques. It also serves as a means to revitalise The City and promote Golden Square so people can see how this section of Bridgetown has been redeveloped,” she added.
Johnson said trades such as chair caning and French polishing were dying out so it was also a way to keep them alive as long as possible, while also offering an avenue for the artisans to earn some money.
“This is the perfect space to get unique antiques for your home. I hope the youth come out and take an interest [to help keep the old trades alive].”
The market attracted a large number of people, both locals and visitors. Master of ceremonies Antoine Williams highlighted the various artisans, such as joiner Paul Arthur who was restoring a chair with the French polish method, which is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface.
Another highlight was visually impaired Anne Marie Goddard, who was caning chairs. It involves weaving palm skin or bark onto a chair, making a solid surface. (CA)
