WORDS: Remy Raitt | PHOTO: Shavan Rahim
There’s no need to head to the East if you’re in search of Chinese antiques. In fact, any South African interested in Asian relics will know that Trade Roots has been filling local homes with these hard-to-find furniture pieces for the past 17 years.
Co-owner Lionel Levin first began his love affair with the Far East on a visit to Hong Kong in the 1960s. A well-known interior designer, Lionel’s obsession with all things unique was indulged through trips to exotic destinations in search of large and extraordinary furniture items.
Decades later, married to Louella and still travelling frequently, the Levins took a leap of faith and filled a 20-foot container with desirable “Indian Allsorts” and shipped these finds back to South Africa. Encouraged by the spontaneous response to their imported treasures, Trade Roots was established in Johannesburg in 1994. However, dealing with India proved difficult and relatively unexplored China beckoned… and stole their hearts.
Broadening their business, Trade Roots extended to the historic De Waterkant district in Cape Town where daughter, Cathi Evans, runs the second shop. Now the longest established dealers in Chinese antiques in the country, the company enjoys a loyal following of established clients as well as an ever-growing number of new visitors to their stores.
“Chinese antiques are often perceived to be highly decorated, often inlaid and generally quite ornately over the top,” Louella says. “This isn’t at all our signature. Trade Roots deals in antique country furniture and we shy away from the very ornate pieces.”
She erases any confusion about their imports, clarifying that the Ming Dynasty was known for its simple and bold furniture while the Ching Dynasty, with a rising middle class, brought about more ornate pieces.
“The majority of what we import is Ching Dynasty (which ended in 1911), imitating the Ming Style. Ming pieces are now largely unavailable and are more likely to appear on international auctions than in the marketplaces of China.”
Each store a wonderland
The large variety of Chinese antiques available at Trade Roots makes each store a wonderland. Stock includes cabinets, dressers, screens, desks, chairs and console tables, as well as large stone pots, originally used for exporting oils, vinegars, rice wine etc. Smaller pieces, like wooden rice measures and water buckets, are popular sellers, as well as old stoneware.
Each year the family brings in several 40-foot-high cube containers. A container, including smalls, usually carries around 250 pieces. “Each container brings a few gems,” says Louella, noting that gems from their last container included a spectacular set of red lacquer decorated cabinets with top cabinets and a marvelous Elmwood dresser.
Working as a family might be unimaginable for some, but it works beautifully for the Levins. The recipe to their success? Louella believes it’s the fact that they all share the same passion for the product. Their respective strengths also complement each other.
“Lionel, with many years’ experience as a highly acclaimed designer, has an eye for the unusual and spectacular,” she says. “I’m the realist. With 17 years in the business, I have a pretty good idea of what sells and what ceiling prices we can afford to pay at source. I interact well with clients, as does Cathi. Lionel prefers not to be involved in the day-to-day running of the shop. Cathi has learnt well from her parents and has an extremely good business ethic. And lastly, we all have respect for each other.”
Cape Town store: 13 Hudson Street, De Waterkant, (021) 421 0401
Johannesburg store: 44 The Ave St, Johannesburg, (011) 728 0672
VISI 54, on sale now, zooms in on creative families in South Africa. Get your hands on a copy for more on teams with family ties.
