Weeknight採訪：歐洲古董經營者的心裡談 Confessions of an Antique Dealer

在緊湊的採購行程間，常會有一些不經意的美好發現，支持並提醒我們莫忘初衷！

Its always great to be reminded once again why we do what we do, especially during the hustle and bustle of a buying trip.

旅程中深沉的疲憊總讓我回想起最初改弦易轍的心路歷程，在15年前我剛踏入歐式傢俱產業時，台灣處在一個所謂仿古傢俱的年代，規模經濟造成的工廠外移，在勞動報酬相對便宜的地區，供應商試圖模仿歐洲古董傢俱的外型大量生產製造，徒具外型的仿古傢俱卻由於沒有工匠以繁複工序所製造的細節，以及為了降低生產成本所使用的密集板等合成木料，導致成品本身不堪長期使用且完全失去了只有古董傢俱才能感受到的真實內涵，再精美的設計圖再也無法將美感百分百呈現在商品本身，在這樣的市場情況當中，消費者既無法取得實用又高品質的家具，粗劣的仿古傢俱也間接傷害了歐洲傢俱的真實形象，產業陷入一個惡性循環當中，長時間錯誤教育消費者，用收購精品的價格購買仿古傢俱也視為理所當然，粗製濫造不堪使用的品質，造成了無形的浪費，在深知這樣的環境是無法長久的之下，我決定斷絕台灣現有的仿古供應商，以一種取經的態度，從幾位長年熟識的外國朋友，以及向友人借來的幾本歐洲古董拍賣資料，開始另一段嶄新的經營旅程，帶著書本花費數月時間遊歷歐洲各城市，在巷弄與古老建築當中看見文化底蘊的豐富，在鄉鎮與城市中用力體會歐洲人對於家庭佈置的精心與認真，在每一口飲食之間品味生活日常的美好，從建築、飲食、文化、氣候來遙想這些其來何自。

 

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As we near the end of this buying trip, the fatigue and stress really taking a toll, I think back to 15 years ago when we started. What kept us going for so long? In the beginning, like many at the time, we sold European decorative objects and modern reproductions or replicas of antique objects. We felt we needed to change not because mass produced replicas break quite easily and thus creating more waste, but rather it is not good for that market. In that business, the only way to compete was to offer the same replicated goods for less; however, that will in no way enhance Taiwanese buyer’s appreciation or taste for the real thing. We began to learn about the antique auctions in Europe, studied European architecture, food, culture, and even weather patterns to prepare ourselves for the new journey.

 

 

在現今社會中，面對面交談或是親身體驗接觸已經不再是買賣唯一的選項，網路讓我們能更快速且便利的獲得我們需要的一切，因此我們也在網路中更多的分享本店藏品資訊給那些喜歡卻無法親身前往的消費者們。唯獨採購工作，我們從不曾假手他人，即便是相交十年以上的古董商，提供任何藏品時，就算會有再多額外的支出，我們依然會親自到場鑑定，確保我們經手過的商品是真實可信的，這是我們對自己與客人的承諾，身為歐洲古董的經營者，在買到特殊的藏品時，那種發自內心的喜悅與滿足才是我最大的收獲，而能將這些美好與人分享更是我們覺得十分驕傲的事。

 

During the transition, we made numerous mistakes; however, good thing the team supported one another, and we learnt from our mistakes. We accumulated hands-on experiences one only gains after being on the front lines of operations, which is the “discerning eye”, the most important skill for an antique dealer, where he or she can sift out all that is out there and present the very finest to our collectors.In the age of internet, we can purchase almost anything from home. We are also experimenting and looking for the best way to serve our customer this way, using messaging apps, social media and videos to share what we see with our collectors. But in terms of sourcing, we still only trust our own eyes, even for dealers we have worked with for over a decade, and thus we still need to appraise the objects in-person.We feel this is the only way to work to ensure we meet our customer’s expectations and trust in us. The other reason is that there is so much joy in finding the objects that we feel worthy and then sharing them with people who appreciate them.

 

在每趟採購進行到尾聲的同時，在我心中除了深層疲憊，更多的是一種戒慎恐懼的緊繃，對即將到來的貨櫃中，每一件收藏品的包裝狀況、運送過程、貨櫃內的安置情況是否良好等等， 我們總是事必躬親，這種壓力與使命讓安森國際走到這一步，內心充滿喜悅感激卻也總感如履薄冰。年初這趟旅程中是我們踏過深厚的積雪，充滿泥濘的草地，風大到無法直視前方的展場，自認即使再來一次也無法做到更好，即便此行中許多天公不作美的狀況，但還是設法克服了，希望這樣的專注能夠讓一切參與的過程完美落幕。

 

There is always a sense of stress in this leg of the buying trip, as the items are prepared for shipment, since we need to make sure all the objects are properly wrapped and packed in the container. This winter has been a particularly harsh one as I step on the ankle high snow on the ground, feeling the mudding ground underneath, and the wind blowing so strong I am having trouble walking straight. I think to myself is there any way we can do what we do but with more ease? I realized, no, this is the only way to ensure we meet what we set out to do, and we can overcome it with bad weather and all.

 

一件偉大的藝術需要的不只是一個感性的觸發，不過有時候迎合市場是一個經營者必須的考量，但是身為一個歐洲古董經營者，我時常懷抱著一種夢想，能夠透過分享與學習讓那些非市場主流的古董收藏被更多人發現，世界的遼闊與驚奇來自相異文化獨有的美，不止侷限於主流市場，提昇眼界也讓我們更加了解世界。

 

For a work of art to be considered great, not only is the stroke of inspiration essential, there is also market forces to be taken into consideration. As someone who works in antique, I have this dream within me to have more people understand and appreciate works less people know, collect, and are not yet valued as they should be. After all, I feel antiques are not just about objects, but a learning and appreciation for the world we live in; all of its beauty and culture, so we can understand it even better.

 

真正永恆的美好，總是經得起時間的淬煉，讓歷史的洪流去蕪存菁而其留下的精華，便留存在古董物件之上，乘載某一時期的文化底蘊和社會繁榮的縮影值得我們奮力爭取，生命最甜美之處在於我們內心有渴望和追求，為此所付出的努力心力更是真正生活中銘刻的印記，而一個城市的熟成來自於長久時間以來所累積的歷史軌跡，這些脈絡展現在建築、音樂、文化、藝術進而烙印在人們的心靈，形成城市中人們生活的底蘊欣賞著、把玩著這些不同年代所留下的文化縮影，慢慢地我們也將醞釀出，屬於自己獨一無二的氛圍和品味。

 

For something to be considered good and eternal, it must of course stand the test of time. Antiques are important in our lives because it captures memories and stories from a bygone era reminding us, as hard as we push for advances in technology, can the objects of today really stand the test of time? Antiques are rooted in architecture, music, art and history. They are more then objects; they give us a great perspective on our place in time. Antiques are beautiful, unique, great to look at, and meant to be enjoyed. In the process, we also write our stories and histories through them.

 

安森國際

2003年成立，安森國際是台灣最具規模的古董品牌，手上有合作超過一千五百個大大小小的歐洲古董商，可以很快的為藏家、博物館與店家找到難找的品項，安森國際位於台南300多坪的旗艦館，第一次光臨的客人都會感覺到了博物館般的驚喜，一間超乎藏家所想像的古董展示館，秉持著對客人價格上與品質上的承諾，從每年多趟的國外採購、一年超過15個貨櫃的進貨、報關、店內營運和送貨，都是團隊一手完成，因為這些努力建立了藏家與業界中驚人的成績。旅行般不回風景但能帶回生活品味，推開溫潤木匡鑲嵌著彩繪玻璃的木門，門片上古老卡榫嘎嘎作響，彩繪玻璃水彩般的柔和、光影漫射，伴隨咕咕鐘規律滴答滴答，安森國際歡迎貴賓進入一場跨越場域限制的藝術對話。

 

About Annsons

Founded in 2003, Annsons is Taiwan’s premier antique brand, with an over 1,500 European dealers networks. Annsons’s specializes in tracking down hard to find items for collectors, museums, and store owners. Annsons’ Tainan flagship store is over 1,000 squared meters in size, giving visitors a feeling they are walking into a museum. Annsons strives to deliver fine object at prices most collectors find hard to believe. They make over 4 buying trips a year, bringing in nearly 15 containers of products, as well as taking care of buying, packing, importing and selling on their own. The many reason why it holds a place in the heart of every serious collector in Taiwan.