At Bucharest Art Gallery, each antique piece has a unique story, not only because of its past, but also because of the journey it takes to reach our stores in Chile. Today we want to share with you the fascinating process we follow when importing antiques from France.
Closing the container in Paris.
As a company, we have been importing antiques for 16 years, bringing in between one and four containers annually. This commitment has allowed us to offer our customers unique pieces of great historical value.
It all begins in the charming auction houses in different regions of France. The excitement of participating in an auction is indescribable: the atmosphere steeped in history, the competition to acquire unique pieces, and the satisfaction of winning a special object that we know our customers will love. It is at these auctions that we carefully select furniture, objects, and other antiques that stand out for their history, design, and quality.
Once acquired, the pieces are transported to Paris, where we temporarily store them in our warehouses. There, each antique is carefully packed to ensure its protection during the journey. This is a crucial step, as we want to ensure each piece arrives in perfect condition. Once everything is ready, we load the container in Paris, preparing it for its journey.
From the port of Le Havre, one of the most important in France, the container begins its sea voyage to Chile, arriving at the ports of Valparaíso or San Antonio.
Ricardo waiting to participate in the Customs inspection in Valparaíso
Upon arrival in Chile, the container goes through a process called "approval," where Customs inspects its contents to ensure everything is in order. Once this stage is completed, the container is transported to a warehouse in Santiago and then transferred to our stores, where it is finally ready to be admired and purchased by our customers.
Mauricio and Osvaldo receiving the container
This process, although challenging, is a labor of love. We are passionate about bringing unique pieces to Chile that tell stories and can transform any space into something special. Every antique you find at Bucharest Art Gallery has traveled a long way to reach you, and we are delighted to be part of that journey.
