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Hobbies and Collecting
Hobbies and Collecting
The hobby of collecting
Anything is liable to be collected or turned into a hobby. Here we offer you a full guide of the latest trends in the sector and an overview of what is outstanding in each field.... Read more [+]
The Best of Bookshops and antique books
Selexyz bookstore (Maastricht), a temple of literatureIn Maastricht the walls of a 13th century church contain a surprise for book and architecture lovers. It is the bookstore regarded by The Guardian journalist Sean Dodson as the best in the world. A meticulous spatial reworking by Merkx + Girod has turned this old bicycle centre into an ode to literature. Since it was opened in 2006, it has had the honour of being the most-visited church in the Netherlands.
El Ateneo (Buenos Aires), a remodelled theatreThe boxes are tiny reading rooms. The old stage, a café. An original makeover for the Buenos Aires Ateneo, into the bookstore regarded by Sean Dodson as second best in the world.
The Best of Antique shops and Auctions
Bernheimer-Colnaghi (Munich and London), a broad outlookThough its main speciality is old masters of the 16th to 19th centuries, under Blanca Bernheimer’s direction, vintage and contemporary photography has taken a prominent place in its exhibition halls. The origins of this long-established family of antiques dealers go back to 1864, when the grandfather founded the business with a textile and oriental carpet shop. They progressively diversified their interests, and in 2002 acquired the Colnaghi gallery, founded in 1760.
Galerie J. Kugel (Paris), a long lineageThe origins of this dynasty of antiques dealers (now in its fifth generation) go back to late 18th century Russia. Currently their catalogue ranges from gold and silver work to furniture, artworks and sculptures.
The Best of Museums and Expositions
The British Museum (London), nothing left outSome 5 million tourists a year bear out the choice of TravelMail, which puts the British Museum at No 1 in its Top Ten. The building is a work of art in itself thanks to its huge, striking entrance hall. Beyond the threshold, thousands of objects encompass the history of humanity. Sarcophaguses, sculptures, shrines, the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles... A vast collection that needs several visits to be admired in all its splendour.
The Egyptian Museum (Cairo), a stimulating journeyTutankhamun’s gold mask is the top attraction at this Museum, opened in 1902. Though really this is just the tip of an iceberg made up of a collection of incalculable value.
