Antique Shops in Lebanon: Where to Find Heritage Pieces

Antique hunting in Lebanon yields surprising finds. The country's history under Ottoman, French Mandate, and post-independence rule left a layered material culture — from inlaid mother-of-pearl chests to art deco glassware.

Where to look

• Beirut's Saifi Village area, Achrafieh, and Mar Mikhael.
• Tripoli's old souks for traditional Levantine pieces.
• Mount Lebanon mountain villages — many old houses sell direct.
• Auction houses in Beirut for higher-end pieces.

Common categories

• Inlaid mother-of-pearl boxes, screens, and chests.
• Ottoman-era brass and copper trays, coffee pots, lanterns.
• French-era furniture: armoires, mirrors, sideboards.
• Silver: teapots, candlesticks, cutlery.
• Damascene-style swords (often modern reproductions).
• Old maps, prints, and orientalist paintings.

Authentication

• Ask for provenance — where did the piece come from?
• Look for tool marks consistent with the period (hand chiselling vs machine).
• Patina on metal and wood is hard to fake; uniform aging is a warning sign.
• Expect dealers to negotiate — listed price is rarely the real price.