The sign reading “Downstairs at Felton Antiques” can be very misleading. First-there is no downstairs. The name, like every item inside, is a throw back to an earlier time. Second-this place is more than a simple antique shop. Its a history of things both great and small.
I found this store during one of my days meandering and exploring places I’ve never been. Hidden on a side street that is rife with abandoned buildings, broken windows, and auto-body shops, Downstairs at Felton Antiques (DFA)is deceptively large.
Walking through the store is like going on an adult treasure hunt. Given the cramped spaces and delicate nature of a lot of the merchandise, this store is NOT recommended for exuberant children, large bulls, or those suffering from excessive clumsiness. For the Harry Potter fans, its as close as I could imagine to shopping in the non evil version of Borgin and Burkes. There are no cursed monkey paws (That I saw anyway. I’m still not V.I.P. status) or vanishing cabinets but there is a surprising collection of old science/medical tools and supplies. There are bottles of salves and tinctures whose efficacy were probably doubtful 70-80 years ago in their prime. But now their aesthetic is undeniable. If you can think of a common profession from the early to mid 1900’s chances are DFA has a tool from that trade on display in a glass case or random corner.
On a desk in a back room I found a stack of old postcards for sale. I also discovered stacks and stacks of old photographs of people that look like they came straight out of a history book. We’re talking daguerreotypes and sitting still for 60-90 seconds type of pictures. Who were these people? Where did they come from? How did their pictures end up here? It was all fascinating.
Being located in Waltham, Downstairs at Felton has an abundant supply of old watches and jewelry (both costume and period pieces). They are known for their sterlingsilver collection and their pottery and furniture. There’s art work on every wall to admire.
If you are an Interior Decorator or looking to stage some rooms for a home sale then DFA is the place for you. Those who are into photography and attempting to spruce up some shots, you need to check this place out. Mostly an antique shop, but also part museum, and stroll through the past, Downstairs at Felton is such an impressive place to visit, I challenge anyone to say they didn’t find something of interest in this shop.