We've been fans for years now, and think this is a great way to shop. In an age of throwaway thrift, think about these fairs as the opposite – a collectable thrifting experience where you'll find actual vintage and antique objects. Each fair is unique, so if you are on the lookout for something special, we recommend starting your treasure-hunting weekend with a trip to Brooklyn and a Sunday outing to The Firs in Rosebank.
"At the top of the hierarchy there is what we call collectable thrifting. Here, antique markets offer hand-picked and high-end secondhand items, where the past is preserved with purpose and panache, and goods are in peak condition (often having been expertly restored)."
From bargain bins to high-end collectables
At the entry level, charity shops and donation bins offer affordable, often unfiltered options for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. "Trendy vintage" takes it up a notch, with curated current street-style-inspired pieces targeting fashion-conscious shoppers, often via Instagram shops and markets. Curated pre-loved stores refine the experience even more, offering contemporary, hand-picked secondhand items in boutique-style settings.At the top of the hierarchy of the pre-owned market, there is what we call collectable thrifting. Here, antique fairs, the sophisticated cousin to the rummage sale, offer hand-picked and high-end secondhand items, where the past is preserved with panache, and goods are in peak condition (often having been expertly restored). Think antique ceramics, vintage jewellery, period furniture, and rare objets d’art – the kinds of finds that tell stories and have a history of their own. While it's high-end, buyers who appreciate individuality and craftsmanship will find something to love here, often for as little as R150 or reaching into the thousands.
With the growing popularity of second-hand style and conscious and sustainable living, thrifting has taken on a new level of cultural cool, from Gen Z’s obsession with Y2K fashion to home decorators scouring the internet and Facebook Marketplace for mid-century sideboards.
Favourite antique fairs in (and around) Joburg
Brooklyn Antique Fair in Pretoria and The Firs Antique Fair in Rosebank are Gauteng's premier monthly antique fairs – both led by the irrepressible Clyde Terry of Clyde on 4th Antiques and Collectables in Melville, a confessed Moorcroft ceramics addict, or more politely, collector. With decades of experience, Terry is widely respected for his deep knowledge of antiques, from Victorian silverware to mid-century design. He brings a curator’s eye and a collector’s heart to everything he does, offering guidance to both seasoned buyers and curious newcomers.
Read more about Terry's antique collecting history here.Quality finds at the Brooklyn Mall Antique Fair
The Brooklyn Antique Fair has been a firm favourite of collectors for the past 10 years. As Pretoria’s first antiques-only fair, it keeps things small and curated, with just 15 top-notch dealers. It’s all about quality over quantity – and its relaxed, manageable size makes it perfect for curious first-timers or anyone starting their collection journey.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE
Photo: @antique_fair_pretoria_brooklyn.
Expect to find an assortment of vintage jewellery, antique silver, porcelain, vintage fashion, and rare art – all curated by experienced traders, all of whom are members of NAADA (The National Antiques & Decorative Arts Association) and sometimes SAADA (The South African Antique, Art and Design Association) too. That kind of pedigree means you’re not just browsing someone’s attic clean-out; you’re looking at heritage items that have been vetted for authenticity and value. The Brooklyn Mall antique fair gives Pretoria locals and travelling Joburgers a first crack at what South Africa’s top antique dealers have sourced over the last month.
Our advice? Arrive early to score the best picks; the real collectors never wait until noon.
AN INSIDER'S VIEW
Sonia Scholtz, the trader behind My Beautiful Mess at Brooklyn Mall Antique Fair, has been specialising in antique jewellery and attending antique fairs for the past 25 years. She recalled one particularly memorable moment when a woman fell in love with a ring at her stand. She wanted her husband to buy it and stood her ground for a two full hours until he eventually relented. Seeing and handling antique pieces in person is something Scholtz believes is a key reason to visit the fair. "One can fall in love with a piece once you have seen and handled it," Scholtz tells us. Her collection includes a wide range of antique jewellery, with prices starting at a few hundred rand.
The Firs Antique Fair: A new era for SA's longest-running tabletop fair
For vintage-lovers in the know, cosmopolitan Rosebank isn't the original home of South Africa's oldest tabletop antique fair. Established 50 years ago, Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City played permanent host to this monthly fair for 24 years before it's relocation to The Firs (January 2025), bringing new energy to the event. With more than 35 traders from across the country (and often international dealers too), there is plenty to browse. Like Brooklyn Mall's fair, traders here are also NAADA and, in some cases, SAADA vetted.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
From Chinese antiques and fine art to period furniture, jewellery, silverware, and museum-worthy porcelain, the variety at The Firs antique fair is astounding. For fashion lovers, this is also a go-to spot for vintage couture and accessories – ideal for that next themed soirée, or even a Bridgerton-inspired high tea (see our tips on how to give your home a Bridgerton makeover). And that's not the only draw for younger people: prices start at around R150, making it completely accessible for budding collectors.
Our advice? Make a day of it by combining antique browsing with brunch or a leisurely lunch at one of The Firs' popular restaurants, including The Grillhouse and La Parada. Finish off with ice-cream at Gelato Mania. And for a bit more exploring of Rosebank, see our guide to neighbourhood here.
AN INSIDER'S VIEW
Savannah Jabour of Collectors Investments has been participating in antique fairs for the past 10 years. Her store specialises in numismatics (coins and banknotes) as well as medals, watches, and general antiques. Jabour loves these events, as each month is an opportunity to reconnect with fellow dealers and long-standing clients. She says it's the sense of community – and the shared love for what they do, that makes the fair special.
"I think people should come to the fair to engage in their curiosity. No other place will offer you the selection of history and culture that the antiques tables can. [It's also about] the sense of community, of finding traders you trust, and building your own collection – be it for pleasure or investment. The fair is a place of relationships and knowledge," says Jabour. The stock she brings is carefully curated for each fair, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.
Three reasons why antique fairs are still thriving – and why you should go
FACE-TO-FACE BEATS FACEBOOK MARKETPLACEAccording to an article published by Global Newswired, the South African social commerce market, which includes shopping via social platforms, is projected to grow 35.2% to over R28 billion in 2025. Despite this digital marketplace growth, there’s something enduringly magnetic about the real-life experience of an antique fair, and the opportunity to connect with a loyal base of dealers and collectors who’ve passed on their knowledge through generations.
VINTAGE DRIP FOR THE GEN ZS
Antique fairs tap into key Gen Z values: individuality, sustainability, and a passion for storytelling through objects. With a growing interest in slow fashion, vintage decor, and conscious consumption, younger buyers are turning to secondhand markets for pieces that stand out and have history, instead of the fast, mass-produced goods that are more common
ASK A DEALER – THEY PROBABLY KNOW YOUR GRAN'S CHINA PATTERN
A number of the dealers at the fair have been part of it since the start, and as an example, Terry points out that a few dealers are now in their second generation. Over the past two years, around 10 new dealers have joined the The Firs Antique Fair (formerly hosted at Nelson Mandela Square). The collection of knowledge is astounding, and one of the most enjoyable parts of visiting the fair is the opportunity to engage with people who are truly passionate about the objects that surround them. Many of the dealers operate antique stores or workshops full-time, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, they probably know who does. This kind of community and expertise is irreplaceable.
Plan your visit to these monthly antique fairs
BROOKLYN MALL ANTIQUE FAIRVisit the Brooklyn Mall Antique Fair on the first Saturday before the first Sunday of every month (barring January) from 09:00 – 15:00. Entrance is free.
Main atrium at Brooklyn Mall, Corner of Veale Street and Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria.
THE FIRS ANTIQUE FAIR
Visit The Firs Antique Fair on the first Sunday of every month (barring January) from 10:00 – 16:00. Entrance is free.
The Firs, Biermann Ave, Rosebank.
Comments