Van Leest Antiek

The ‘Van Den Dubbelden Arend’ building on the Schoutenstraat in Utrecht, which dates back to 1726, is and will always remain a household name. It is the oldest building from the original Dom city centre, which has offered shop space to generations of bakers since its beginnings. Today, Van Leest Antiques resides here.

In 1989, ‘Van Den Dubbelden Arend’ was abandoned as a bakery by the guild of bakers for the last time. Luckily enough for Toon van Leest in fact because this became an extremely suitable space for antiques, which the owner a part-time dentist deals in. The original cake tins, the inner walls decorated with frescos are purposefully intertwined within the shop and act as a backdrop for the material displayed in the window. The oven-wall which sits in the heart of the old bakery is used to create a characteristic setting for the huge diversity of antiques present here.

SPECIALIZED IN

Van Leest Antiques is specialized in English antiques covering mainly oak and mahogany furniture, mirrors, clocks, chandeliers, barometers, globes, zoology equipment and medical instruments. The periods vary mainly from 18th century to the 19th century Victorian period.
The British Empire then stood at the top of the rankings as far as the colonies were concerned and this resulted in antiques from other countries outside England, Scotland and Wales being brought over. People also discovered colonial travel furniture as well as other accessories from overseas. Mirrors, clocks, chandeliers and silver here are mostly French and Italian and some are even of Dutch origins.

CHANGING OWNERSHIP

Charm fits with the character of this listed building and its usage. One remaining piece of furniture (not for sale), which truly lives up to what the ‘Van den Dubbelden Arend’ bakery represented, is the old bakers oven. Enclosed is a short story as a tribute to the bakers guild about the last existing baker : “A German deserter had invented his own sort of boiler using the heat from the oven which was then channeled through to the boiler. It had to be very carefully stoked up, otherwise the whole thing would explode. In those days this meant they had warm water all day long. Today it would take 2-3 weeks before the oven could reach the right temperature. This equipment actually worked right up until the 60’s. The boiler then broke down and there was sadly no spirit left in it to bring it back”.
Now the sight of the oven adds charm to the shop fitting in with the style of the building and the changing antique interior.

JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF THE LAIRDS

Van Leest travels himself regularly to England, Scotland and Wales to collect stock and to visit trade fairs, auctions and antique dealers. This is the way this fanatical antique collector personally tracks down unique pieces for Van Leest Antiques and for his clients’ unusual requests.

In view of the fact that antiques stand for lasting value and are a stable product not always increasing in price, this means the collector is not reliant on trends. Antiques are thus seen as a good investment. Above, all antiques are timeless and also never lose their beauty.
Perhaps it is a deep-rooted discipline since childhood and a sense of tradition, which is at the bottom of why we are overwhelmed by the beauty of British antiques. As an old member of the Utrecht University student union and lover of Britain, it is not surprising that Van Leest grasped the opportunity to run his business like that of a Scottish Laird, maintaining his British traditions and customs.
It is actually said that antiques can talk. Not just by looking at them but also by touching them. It is almost as if their spirit still lives on. As you come into the shop building
it is immediately noticeable. The shop comes alive and the pieces speak each in its own way. It is up to the viewer to experience it for himself.
Despite the collapse of the Empire, Britain still has plenty of beautiful antique pieces for us and certainly for the next generation. Each piece being unique and, which should not be bought on impulse. Antiques deserve time and attention. “It has got to fit the owner, just like his suit”.

THEMED WEEKS

At least once a year, at the height of the summer then again mid-winter, Van Leest arranges small receptions for his customers. Dependent on the theme, numerous clients are selected and sent an invitation to attend a special sale event, which is always accompanied with coffee, cake and a good glass of wine.