Zaankanters have emptied the attic and brought their hidden treasures to the second-hand shop. Not to sell but to have it appraised by two art connoisseurs. “I hope it is worth something because I would like to renovate”, let a visitor know about a vase. Another claims to have the inkwell of Hitler’s psychologist.
“I don’t want to burn my hands on this,” says appraiser Gijs Essink about the wooden ink set. He often receives objects that can be linked to the Second World War. “Everything that has to do with WWII is 95 percent counterfeit and besides, if it’s true I don’t like it either because I don’t like that kind of collectible.” And that’s why he doesn’t want to value it.
Renovation
Another visitor takes two French vases that have been in the family for generations. “They’ve been through a lot of moves so I hope they’re worth something,” he says. If so, he already has a renovation in mind. Unfortunately, after a short conversation with the appraiser, this is not the case. And so more dreams of antique treasures taken from the attic are shattered. Many people take crockery with them: “So that the children don’t have to clean it up when I’m gone”.
Own collection
Dorcas herself also dreams of hidden luxury. The second-hand store receives a lot of old stuff and Otto Ferf Jentink has set aside a few “antique” Chinese vases to have them appraised. But the appraiser sees it right away, “Made in Holland” is written on the bottom. This antique does come from a museum as a souvenir from the museum shop.
One lady comes with a necklace that she can offer for auction for 1,000 euros. Another man comes with an Italian wooden monk who can bring in 1,500 euros in a shop in the nine streets. “But I don’t, I’m looking for a nice place for him, he has become a roommate”, let the visitor know.