Amelia WilliamsFinding the right light fixture is crucial for heritage homeowners and interior designers alike.
Nothing beats the character and patina of a true antique or high-quality vintage piece. It changes the whole mood of a room.
We’ve all felt that frustration of seeing something labelled “antique-style” that just doesn’t capture the soul of a historical piece. Auckland has some hidden gems for antique light fixtures, but you have to know where to look.
Here is a list of the top spots to find expertly curated antique lighting in Auckland. This guide is for serious collectors, renovators, and anyone who appreciates historical elegance.
How much do antique lighting fixtures cost in Auckland?
The price of antique lighting in Auckland really depends on what you’re after.
If you are picking up a small vintage sconce or a retro lamp, you might get away with spending a couple of hundred dollars. However, real statement pieces like a 19th-century crystal chandelier are an investment. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to well over $5,000, depending on the provenance and condition. Restoration is another cost to consider. If you buy a fixture that needs rewiring or crystal replacement, a basic restoration can start around $250 to $500 per socket for certified electrical work, not including the cost of parts or specialised repairs.
Buying antiques is like buying art. You are paying for the history and the craftsmanship that simply doesn’t exist anymore.
1. Yvonne Sanders Antiques Limited
Website: https://www.yvonnesandersantiques.com/
Address: 474 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Contact: 09-630-3904
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Yvonne Sanders Antiques is an Auckland landmark and a destination for serious collectors. They focus on high-quality English and French restorations, providing statement lighting that helps set the tone for a space.
The sheer quality and age of their chandeliers, many of them genuinely old pieces, mean you’re very much investing in history.
I remember a friend who was restoring a historic villa saying she wouldn’t trust anyone else for a centrepiece chandelier.
Their decades of expertise and consistent quality give you confidence in your purchase.
It’s important to note, however, that because their stock is so high-end and deeply authentic, the prices sit at the higher end of the market. Also, not all of their extensive inventory is listed online.
Customer Reviews
One of the most beautiful stores I have ever seen & if you chat to the lovely Yvonne, you will be better for it. Not only is she genuinely lovely and kind, she knows her antiques. A definite ‘must’ visit for any lover of quality antiques.
- Dee | Google Review
An Auckland institution and the one of the finest antiques shops in New Zealand. Few shops have the quality, value and service of Yvonne Sanders Antiques. Yvonne, Richard and the team are a pleasure to deal with.
- J C P Shaw | Google Review
2. Vitrine
Website: https://www.vitrine.co.nz/
Address: 5 McDonald Street, Sandringham, Auckland
Contact: 09-815-0762
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Located in the design-forward pocket of Morningside, Vitrine offers a distinctively European flair that feels lighter and more curated than a traditional antique store.
Vitrine offers French Antique pieces that sit alongside Mid-Century European lighting and furniture. They source directly from Europe, which ensures the authenticity of their stock.
You’ll find fully restored items ready for the home, as well as unrestored pieces for designers who want to create a particular look.
The team demonstrates deep expertise and is great at talking through the kind of atmosphere you want at home, then helping you pick pieces that actually work in your space.
Due to the volume, the showroom is the only place to see the entire range, making an in-person visit essential.
Customer Reviews
Amazing range of beautiful furniture and lighting from France and Europe. Really helpful and knowledgeable team. Brought our dream entrance way light!
- Malcolm Lawry | Google Review
We really enjoy Vitrine’s social media posts and the stories of the pieces – so on a recent trip to Auckland we had to pay a visit. My favourite “wish I could take home” piece was the antique Belgian dog house
- Sandra Boston | Google Review
3. European Antiques
Website: https://www.europeanantiques.co.nz/
Address: 21 Ariki Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Contact: 027-414-0081 and 09-360-9858
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Saturday: By Request
European Antiques takes a very personal approach to the trade. It is a treasure trove for those who want a truly curated selection of historical decor.
Run by Meredith Lee, the business operates out of a beautifully restored villa in Grey Lynn, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the stock.
Meredith Lee expertly curates every item. You can rest assured you’re not wading through junk because everything is chosen for its quality and historical merit.
Their focus on the broader category of European decorative arts means their lighting is often a magnificent match for specific period interiors. Their lighting collection also complements their wider range of decorative arts and furniture.
Since they operate primarily by appointment, viewing requires advance planning. You can’t just wander in off the street on a whim to kill time, which adds a layer of exclusivity but also a barrier to entry for some.
Customer Reviews
We imported a beautiful chandelier from New Zealand to Belgium. European Antiques could not have been more helpful. Stunning quality product, lovely experience.
- Laura Smillie | Google Review
Meredith is fantastic to deal with not only knowledgeable but very friendly and efficient and will go above and beyond to help with any request. Her stock is next level she has amazing products And fantastic taste and an eye for detail.
- Rachel Lees | Google Review
4. Eden Lighting (North Shore)
Website: https://edenlighting.co.nz/collections/antique-chandeliers/
Address: 38 William Pickering Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland
Contact: 09-527-0988
Hours: Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Eden Lighting suits those seeking the antique aesthetic without needing to buy true period pieces.
Their selection leans heavily into antique-style and vintage-inspired chandeliers, including a big Tiffany-style range. This way, you can get a period look without the commitment of a museum-grade antique.
The Eden Lighting team is good at explaining the differences between their antique-style pieces and more modern designs, so you can find something that fits both your home and your budget.
This warm customer service is enough to keep customers coming back.
Plus, their pricing offers much better value compared to purely antique specialists.
The downside is that a collector seeking strict authenticity might find the selection of genuine antiques smaller than in specialist stores.
Customer Reviews
Found the perfect pendant lights in their Papatoetoe store. Great range and fair prices. If you’re looking for pendant lights in Auckland, this is the place to go!
- Jacky Yu | Google Review
We bought a kitchen blade light from Eden Lighting. We were delighted how well it lights our kitchen bench and throws light out and up as well as down. The gesture control is better than the sales pitch. Excellent control of light up and or down and or out and dimmable ! Good value and great product.
- Peter Idoine | Google Review
5. Baran de Bordeaux
Website: https://frenchantiques.co.nz/
Address: 151A Marua Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland
Contact: 0210-391-471
Hours: Viewings are typically arranged by appointment
Baran de Bordeaux focuses on French antiques, with a collection spanning the 17th to the mid-20th century.
Their lighting pieces are often grand, authentic, and intended as major statement pieces.
They cater to a luxury market, offering services like interior design and private sourcing for those hunting for a rare item, which is a fantastic pro for renovators of heritage homes.
Lighting is only part of the inventory. Their showroom reveals a complete environment of French elegance. Their pieces also reflect a premium price point for the high-end sourcing and authenticity they offer.
It’s important to note that visits are by appointment only, which doesn’t allow for casual browsing.
Customer Reviews
The most amazing French and Italian Antique furniture, a delight to visit and easy to scroll and find perfect pieces online. A must visit for anyone after exquisite antique furniture….love the antique Louis Vuitton trunks too!
- Kent Hutchings | Google Review
outstanding knowledge, authentic collectible pieces. best in the country.
- Steve Abramowitz | Google Review
