Antiques & Collectables – Kendal, Lake District

Jackdaw Antiques is an independent antiques shop in Kendal, Cumbria, in the heart of the Lake District. We stock a distinctive mix of well-sourced antiques, vintage items, collectables, antique furniture, original art, and books — plus just about anything old and curious that catches our eye..

OPEN THURSDAY 12 noon to 4PM

The Antique Oracle: Where Wisdom Meets Worn Wonders

A majestic Arabian oracle with a dignified, wise expression, wearing ornate robes and a bejeweled turban. Antique items like Persian rugs, vintage lamps, brass goblets, and an ancient astrolabe are arranged in a luxurious palace setting with golden light streaming through arched windows.
"Ah,  You Seek the Mysteries of the Universe... or Maybe Just the Most Majestic Antique Mirror to Reflect Your Greatness!"

You’ve stumbled upon the Antique Oracle, where answers are as dusty as the relics we adore. Ask your deepest, most existential questions — don't just inquire about how to remove a stubborn tea stain from an Edwardian teapot. The Oracle may offer wisdom... or he may suggest a Victorian armchair to sit in while you ponder life. Either way, you’ll leave with some answers—or at least a lot of questions.

Ask the Antique Oracle

The Oracle awaits your inquiry. Ask wisely, or answers may be puzzling.

All-Time Most Read Posts

Climb the Pyramid: The Ultimate Quiz Challenge

Image
Play the Pyramid Game, where your knowledge of history and antiques will be put to the ultimate test! Each question takes you one step closer to the summit, but a single misstep could send you tumbling back to the base. After all, no one ever said climbing a pyramid was easy. You’ll have 90 seconds from the moment the page loads to reach the top, so don’t waste time overthinking—after all, centuries of history rest on your shoulders. Are you ready to outsmart the ages, or will your pyramid dreams come crashing down? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s see if you can keep your cool under pressure—or if history will have the last laugh. Pyramid Quiz L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L2 L1 Question will appear here. Time left: 60 Need a second chance? Refresh the page to try again — or take on our next quiz. Click here to play...  B eat the J...
Read more

Raku Pottery: Where Fire, Art, and Tradition Collide

Image
Raku isn’t just pottery; it’s an alchemy of clay, fire, and philosophy. It was born in 16th-century Kyoto, when tea master Sen no Rikyū sought a vessel that embodied wabi-sabi—beauty in imperfection. Enter Chōjirō, a tile-maker tasked with crafting tea bowls that were simple, earthy, and hand-molded rather than wheel-thrown. The result? A style of pottery unlike any other, built for the hushed reverence of the Japanese tea ceremony. The name Raku —meaning “enjoyment” or “ease”—came later, stamped on a seal given to Chōjirō’s son, Jokei, by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. That seal cemented the Raku family legacy, an unbroken line of master potters that continues today under Raku Kichizaemon XVI . This wasn’t mass production. Each bowl was a meditation, a singular creation made to be held, turned in the hands, and contemplated before a sip of tea. No two were alike, each bearing the marks of fire, clay, and the moment it was born. Raku tea bowl with crane by Ryōnyū (Raku IX), 1810–1838, LAC...
Read more

The Mask of Rebellion: V for Vendetta Poster

Image
We’ve just unearthed a V for Vendetta cinema one-sheet poster, and honestly, it got me thinking. As November 5th rolls around, with effigies of Guy Fawkes crackling away on bonfires, one can’t help but be struck by the enduring image of the man behind the flames. The face we now associate with rebellion and resistance—made famous by the graphic novel, the film, and, let’s face it, every protestor with a mask—is far more than just a cultural icon. It’s a symbol wrapped in history, myth, and a whole lot of irony. The iconic Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes, born in York in 1570, came of age in one of England’s messier family feuds: the Protestant Reformation. As a Catholic in a country that had very publicly chosen Protestantism (with a nudge from the crown and an unhealthy amount of fire and brimstone), Fawkes quickly learned that his faith would make him a second-class citizen. Naturally, this led him to become an international man of intrigue, fighting for Catholic caus...
Read more

Antiques Wanted

Got 18th–20th century treasures gathering dust? Jackdaw Antiques wants quirky, unique pieces full of character. From Chinese jars to Art Deco statues, if it’s good or unusual, we want it. Bring your stuff and let’s make a deal the Jackdaw would love.

Sell Me Something

GET IN TOUCH

Name

Email *

Message *