About 20 years ago, back when I first started buying antique furniture and architectural antiques in India, my first trip was to Bombay. The trip was a real eye opener. I went through the Chor Bazaar, or so-called Thieves Market, and met a dealer who told me about a collection of old church panels his friend had. Curious, I traveled with him through town until we came to an old church building, in use as an old car repair shop. We went inside into a large, dark space full of old cars and piles of parts. I asked him where the old panels were, and he pointed up. They were tied in bundles and hanging precariously from the ceiling. After taking them down and unwrapping them, I see an almost complete painted altar wall shrine from this 17th century church.
The Portuguese colonized parts of India and built many amazing European style buildings, cathedrals and homes. This disused church had been gutted out many years before, but the carvings had been carefully removed and saved by someone who must have understood what a treasure they were.
I looked at each hand carved piece and the wonderful workmanship for the time and location. To my greater surprise, on the back of one of the pilasters were the portraits and the names of the two Portuguese men who painted the shrine along with a message and the year 1649 when it was made.
This is one of my most memorable adventures scouting for antique treasures around the world.
After many years in storage here in Denver, this rare altarpiece will soon be reassembled in our new showroom. If you’d like to see this beautiful piece of history and craftsmanship, visit us at 377 S. Lipan Street in Denver or take a look online.
Eron Johnson
Eron Johnson Antiques