Picken W

What does a 2000-year-old bronze vase from China have in common with a silver condiment set handcrafted by Karl Faberge of Faberge egg fame? The common denominator here is that treasure hunters Bill and Bente Picken have had both of these eclectic items in their Heirlooms Antiques Calgary shop.

“We’ve been doing this since the 1970s,” Bill says, “and it is the thrill of the hunt that has always been part of the excitement for us. Finding that special treasure is always a thrill, whether it’s for our own collections or for resale in the store. We have always been passionate collectors. For myself, toys were my first love – to discover antique cast iron cars and trains from 100 years ago was amazing. For Bente, she loves and collects dolls, ranging from her childhood dolls to dolls from the mid-1800s.”