On Bergen Street between Smith and Court Streets, hidden up a few stairs and behind a nondescript door, lies one of my favorite Brooklyn antique shops, Fork + Pencil. It is not the flagship location – which is right around the corner on Court Street – instead it is the newer warehouse store, focusing on furniture and artwork. And theoretically, it is not actually an antiques shop, but officially a consignment shop. The mix is eclectic, but there is always something interesting to be found. What makes the place special is the owner Alex and its mission – all profits after expenses go to charity. While this is good unto itself, I think it creates a unique shopping experience and better quality merchandise gets consigned there – people like to see their goods doing good.
The main floor is always a mix of large items with accessory displays covering every horizontal surface, artwork and mirrors on all the walls and chandeliers hanging everywhere. Eras and styles are all jumbled together in a highly enjoyable smorgasbord.
Intriguing arched shelving unit mounted on a console table.
Mid-century mixes with colonial.
Such a variety of lamps, like the pottery one above and this book stack one below…
…and this nicely miss-matched pair of cobalt bottles can be found everywhere.
One of F + P’s specialties is porcelain and pottery. Lots of Staffordshire, Asian ceramics, like the big Imari bowl here, lustreware, Sevres and other French porcelain, and the list goes on.
A favorite find is this giant polychrome transferware bowl. Birds and blossoms in the same place!
Their other great strength is art – etchings, engravings and all kinds of small works on paper, priced so well as to be worth more even than just their frames.
Loved these antique carriage prints. Very Georgette Heyer!
The basement is more of an adventure than the upstairs and usually looks something like this, but there are always treasures to be unearthed with a little effort.
A case in point – it doesn’t get better than this – a George Smith standard armchair found nestled in a back corner…
…and now nestling right here. Fresh from a Southampton estate, that chair lists for somewhere in the $6000 range new and even on sale rings up around $4000. Planning to re-cover it, but for now it looks great.
The artwork finds have been outstanding, including this Brooklyn view with its charming French mat and the small Chinese gouache below.
And an art triple play over just 2 visits yielded these…
…and this…
…and these…
…which mixed with this new offering from Dash & Albert, the Garden Path runner, and some beautiful antique lace curtains, has created an instantly decorated laundry room for about $500.
There is a nice article about Alex and the founding of the stores in the South Brooklyn Post. And the original store around the corner is well worth checking out – many of the valuable “smalls” end up there.
Fork + Pencil
Warehouse: 18 Bergen Street
Main Store: 221a Court Street
Brooklyn New York 11201
718 488 8855 | info@forkandpencil.com
Tuesday – Sunday 11 – 7