Elusive Antiques in Oklahoma City: Sourcing Rare Finds in Midtown
Elusive Antiques is a single-owner dealer specializing in mid-century modern furniture and lighting, occupying a 2,500-square-foot showroom in Oklahoma City's Midtown neighborhood near the industrial arts corridor. The inventory rotates constantly, making repeat visits necessary to find specific pieces; stock focuses on authenticated 1950s and 1960s American and Scandinavian design rather than broad-category antiques or reproductions.
What Elusive Antiques actually is
This is a curated dealer space, not a mall, flea market, or consignment warehouse. The owner sources directly from estates, auctions, and regional dealers, then displays selected pieces in room vignettes rather than category aisles. Elusive carries no reproduction mid-century modern; all items are period pieces. The showroom includes occasional design reference books and priced inventory cards that note maker, date, and condition, which is rare among Oklahoma City antiques retailers. The clientele is split between interior designers scouting for projects, collectors hunting specific designers (Charles and Ray Eames, Hans Wegner, Florence Knoll), and homeowners upgrading from fast furniture to lasting pieces.
Inventory, pricing, and acquisition
Furniture typically ranges from $400 for a single lounge chair to $3,200 for a complete sectional sofa set. Lighting pieces span $120 to $800 depending on rarity and function (pendant, floor, or table). Smaller decorative items and accessories run $30 to $400. Prices are non-negotiable; the owner does not haggle. New stock arrives every two to three weeks, drawn from a network of estate liquidators and private collectors throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. No online catalog exists; shopping is in-person only.
How Elusive compares to other Oklahoma City antiques options
The Paseo, Oklahoma City's gallery district, hosts several general-category antiques shops and art dealers, but none specialize exclusively in mid-century modern. These shops stock mixed periods and styles, making it harder to build a cohesive collection. The Bricktown Antique Mall operates as a multi-dealer space with 40-plus vendors; prices are lower ($50 to $800 range for most furniture) but quality varies significantly between booths and turnover is rapid, making it a hunt-focused experience. Elusive's showroom is smaller and pricier, but the consistency of authentication and curation suits buyers seeking investment-grade pieces or coordinated room designs. Choose Bricktown for volume and impulse finds; choose Elusive for specific designer searches or whole-room sourcing with confidence in period accuracy.
Who suits this store and who does not
Elusive works well for interior designers billing clients, collectors familiar with mid-century modern terminology and makers, and buyers willing to spend $800 or more for a single statement piece. It is less useful for budget shoppers, those seeking industrial or farmhouse antiques, or anyone needing immediate availability of a specific item. The showroom also assumes basic comfort with design history; staff will answer technical questions but do not position pieces as investment vehicles or resale assets.
First visit and logistics
Plan for 45 minutes to an hour. The showroom is organized by function (seating, tables, case goods, lighting) across an open floor plan with minimal signage. Take photos of pieces you like; the owner can note your interest and contact you if similar work arrives. Transactions are cash or card. No delivery is included; the owner can recommend local movers experienced with mid-century pieces. Parking is street-level on a residential block; there is no dedicated lot.
Hours and confirmations
Elusive is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment Sunday through Tuesday. Confirm current hours before visiting, as seasonal shifts and estate acquisition trips occasionally shorten weeks. The showroom is closed on Mondays.
For serious collectors and designers, Elusive fills a gap in Oklahoma City's antiques market by offering authenticated mid-century pieces and the expertise to back them. The high curation threshold means fewer visitors than broader dealers, but that consistency is precisely why repeat customers return.
