The magic of old lamps, globes and crystals in Jamal’s Corner
CHENNAI: A 1880’s French clock with a two-weight mechanism stands tall with its top almost touching the ceiling as we enter a quaint antique store — Jamal’s Corner Shop in Pudupet. The owner, Bubli Jamal, is a cheerful 67-year-old who has spent over 45 years running the antique store, procuring unique collectibles to add to his collection.
What was started by his grandfather in the 1930s as a glass and lamp import business, gradually took a turn after his father Ramzaali build a collection of antiques. “During the independence movement, we had a ban on selling imported goods. That’s when we had to make do with the Indian products,” he recalls. “My father started collecting a lot of unique items, and whatever was left from his father’s collection, he kept them safely. A hobby became an antique store,” shares Jamal as he takes us around the shop which is strewn with collectibles that are nearly 100 years old and from different parts of the world.
Since the family’s primary interest was in glass chandeliers, glass globes, lamps and crystals, Jamal carries on the interest and passion till today. “This is my collection, and am passionate about it,” he says pointing to the pulley lamps, 100-year-old Victorian lamps and art deco lamps that are hung from the ceiling. “My grandfather used to sell some of these lamps to churches, temples, mosques and occasionally to the Nawabs. They are from places including Belgium, Austria and England. I also started collecting unique clocks, telephones and periodically a few other collectibles… slowly it all accumulated and now this is an ocean!” he grins stretching his arms wide.
Old switches, candle stick telephones, miners lamps, ship clocks, a copper boiler, slide projectors, model of a 1900’s ship and China plates are among the treasure trove in the store. “Everything has a value. Until a customer wants to give it a new home, it remains covered in dust,” he goes on. “When someone chooses to buy a particular artefact, I get it ready for them in working condition,” he smiles. The shop which began in the Evening Bazaar Road (Park Town) in 1940, was later shifted to its current location at Lang’s Garden Road (Pudupet) in 1993.
As we talk, a prospective buyer enters the shops asking for lamps, but what he asks next surely took us by surprise. “I am looking for lamps, is there anything new here?” asks the man. As Jamal advises the man to look for new ones in the market, he turns around, looks at us and says, “People aren’t aware what an antique is! Many times I have to explain about the value of these artefacts. Just because they are lying around without a taker doesn’t mean they don’t have a value. Every piece here is extremely valuable!” he says walking us through stacked old cupboards.
An old kerosene catches our attention… “This is a rare piece that I own. There are many more resting inside these cupboards…the process of selling them is slow. People don’t buy them often. But, as they say – patience is gold and I will take this slow,” he shares.
“After you, who?” we ask. With a bleak smiles Jamal says that he’s looking for someone who can take care of the business. “My son works in Bengaluru and my daughters are married… they aren’t too interested in this. When the time comes, I’ll give it to a person who is capable of taking care of it.”
“The people who can restore these artefacts are also very scarce. My team is good at what they do. That’s why when someone sells an artefact, I first repair it for them. It’s important that people retain what they have, understand its importance and enjoy it!” he adds.
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