(Antiques) was originally founded by George Birlant in 1922. As a realtor, he was exposed to the finer contents of many Lowcountry homes. His gift of gab and extraordinary personality made him a natural to become one of the southeast’s most gifted estate auctioneers. Early in his career (Circa 1915) he was asked to auction an estate out west of a silent film star. After making the journey to Calif
ornia, the items which weren’t sold were consigned to him and shipped back to Charleston. That became the nucleus for his first antiques shop – a warehouse on East Bay Street. Eventually, he moved into a small shop in upper King Street. In the late 20′s, he moved into a storefront at the opposite corner of King and Clifford, then purchased the illustrious four-story “Enston Building” at 187-191 King Street and in 1932 moved into those premises from which we operate today. Birlant became one of the foremost authorites on English Georgian furniture and silver and while he maintained an established retail business, he continued to hold regular estate suctions both in-house and on location throughout the southeast. He worked until the day he died in 1971 and the tradition of holding estate auctions was passed down to his son-in-law, Phil Slotin. (Antiques) along with its subsidiary, Charleston Battery Bench, Inc. continue into the 21st century at 191 King Street as the family-owned business it’s always been, offering the finest in antique furniture, silver, porcelain, crystal, brass, fireplace accessories, longcase clocks, and exceptional reproductions with unparalleled service, quality and integrity. has been making the famous and authentic Charleston Battery Bench® for more than 50 years. The heavy cast iron sides are still made from the old molds (circa 1880). The wooden slats are durable South Carolina cypress. The bench is sold all over America through magazine advertising, and exclusively at Geo. (Antiques), located in the heart of Charleston’s antiques district in a very large three-story building which was built around 1850.
**Free parking behind store for customers**
