The Antique Market in Saddar a lane where the city’s past linges beneath layers of dust. Once a lively attraction for tourists and collectors, the market today is quiet, with forgotten stories. Here you’ll find century-old idols, traditional utensils, ornate chandeliers and clocks from another era.
But not everything is an ‘antique.’ Shopkeepers draw the line: antiques are rare, often two to three centuries old while vintage pieces come from more recent decades like lamps, statues, or household items from the 60s and 70s. Many of these treasures don’t come from factories; they come from homes. The new generation often discards such items, unaware of their value. Some pieces trace back to migrations during partition, when Hindus and Muslims left behind belongings in grand ‘havelis.’ Others are remnants of the British era, from glassware to decorative elephants.
With declining tourism and security concerns, sales have dwindled. Handicrafts now fill the space once reserved for true antiques. Still, the market holds onto hope that someday seekers of history and artistry will return, drawn to relics that bring forth the history of the region
