Since 1974, Belgium Antique Exporters has operated as a family-run wholesale business, moving European antiques from a single Antwerp warehouse to dealers, decorators and auctioneers across the world. That five-decade lineage shapes everything about the place. This is not a retail shop or a weekend fair. It is a working trade operation built to supply professionals who need volume, variety and quality from one source.
The warehouse covers 40,000 square feet, and the scale becomes apparent the moment you step inside. Furniture commands the floor plan — armoires, sideboards, dining sets and cabinets arranged across a space that takes real time to cover. Around and between the furniture, the stock extends into grandfather clocks, chandeliers, candelabras, statues, vases, ornamental bronzes, lighting fixtures and original artwork. Following the path from one end to the other takes considerably longer than most visitors expect.
The range across periods and styles is unusually broad for a single site. French court furniture — Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Empire and Napoleon III — sits alongside Anglo-American classics such as Chippendale, Queen Anne and Tudor. Decorative movements including Art Deco and Art Nouveau occupy their own corners, while Gothic Revival, Breughel and Spanish pieces fill out the more specialist sections. Every item is hand-picked, cleaned and presented in ready-to-sell condition. The breadth is deliberate: the warehouse exists to supply dealers working across multiple market niches in a single visit.
The typical client list reflects that trade purpose. Antique dealers, retail shops, interior decorators, wholesalers and auctioneers form the core audience. A collector focused on one period will almost certainly find strong examples here. A dealer building mixed inventory will find the visit transforms their options. The business also offers a shipping service, which makes the warehouse a practical sourcing destination for international buyers who cannot transport purchases themselves. Buyers should confirm current shipping options directly when making contact.
Access is by appointment only, Monday through Friday. That model is an asset for serious visitors. Arranging a time in advance means the experience is focused and unhurried once you arrive. Coming prepared with a wish list helps, though the sheer variety on display makes open browsing equally worthwhile. For dealers building stock, designers sourcing period pieces or collectors researching a style movement, this is one of Antwerp's most substantial and least-publicised professional resources.
Getting there is straightforward. The Burgemeester Nolf stop sits approximately 100 metres from the warehouse and serves tram lines 2 and A3 alongside bus lines 60, 61, 62, 67, 601 and 707 — the most practical local option for visitors already in Antwerp. Visitors arriving from outside the city can use Antwerpen-Luchtbal train station, served by S32 and S35, approximately 1.1 km away. The warehouse address is in the Merksem district, and confirming the exact location when booking an appointment is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Belgium Antique Exporters open to the public, or is it trade only?
A: The warehouse is primarily a wholesale operation serving antique dealers, interior decorators, auctioneers and international buyers. Serious collectors researching a specific period or style are also welcome, but this is a working trade environment rather than a retail shop. Access is by appointment only, Monday through Friday — arrange a time before travelling to Antwerp.
Q: What periods and styles are represented in the warehouse?
A: The range is unusually broad for a single site. French court furniture runs from Louis XIV through Empire and Napoleon III; Anglo-American styles include Chippendale, Queen Anne and Tudor; Arts movements cover Art Deco and Art Nouveau; and more specialist sections hold Gothic Revival, Breughel, Country French and Spanish pieces. Furniture dominates the floor plan, with grandfather clocks, chandeliers, candelabras, bronzes, statues, vases and original artwork filling the remaining 40,000 square feet.
Q: Can international buyers arrange shipping from the warehouse?
A: Belgium Antique Exporters offers a shipping service for buyers who cannot transport purchases themselves, which makes the warehouse a practical sourcing destination for dealers and collectors based outside Belgium. Confirm current carrier options, regions covered and costs directly when making contact.
Q: How should I prepare to make the most of a visit?
A: Coming with a wish list helps, particularly given the sheer scale — following the full circuit through the warehouse takes considerably longer than most visitors expect. That said, the variety on display makes open browsing equally worthwhile. Because access is by appointment, the experience is focused and unhurried once you arrive, which works in a buyer's favour.
Q: How do I reach the warehouse by public transport?
A: The Burgemeester Nolf stop is approximately 100 metres from the warehouse and is served by tram lines 2 and A3 as well as bus lines 60, 61, 62 and 67. Confirm current timetables and any route changes before travelling.
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