Oriental Imports in Oklahoma City: A Dealer-Scale Source for Asian Antiques and Collectibles
Oriental Imports is a single-location antique dealer in Oklahoma City specializing in Asian furniture, ceramics, textiles, and decorative objects, operated as a retail shop rather than a gallery or auction house. It functions as a wholesale-adjacent source where individual collectors and interior designers can source pieces ranging from 19th-century Japanese tansu chests to Chinese porcelain and Southeast Asian sculpture.
What Oriental Imports Actually Is
Oriental Imports occupies a fixed retail space and operates as a traditional antique dealer rather than a curated gallery. The shop carries inventory primarily from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, with a focus on functional pieces (furniture, storage, serving ware) alongside decorative items. Unlike online-only antique marketplaces, the business requires in-person inspection of condition, patina, and scale. The dealer model means inventory turns; items are not on permanent display or held for a fixed exhibition cycle.
Stock Range and Pricing
Pricing varies by object age, condition, and rarity. A typical visit might surface Japanese wooden chests starting around $400 to $800, depending on size and finish condition; Chinese blue-and-white porcelain plates or bowls generally range from $150 to $600; and larger furniture pieces such as tansu or altar tables run $800 to $2,500 or higher. Small decorative items—snuff bottles, jade carvings, textiles—fall into the $50 to $300 range. Prices are individually tagged; no standardized price list exists across inventory categories. Verification of current stock and specific pricing is best done by contacting the shop directly, as antique retail inventory is not predictable month to month.
Comparison to Other Oklahoma City Antique Options
Oklahoma City has several antique dealers and malls, but few specialize in Asian imports with the same depth. Turnpike Antique Mall, also in Oklahoma City, operates as a multi-vendor cooperative with booth rental; it carries some Asian items but mixed into general Americana and vintage goods, making it useful for browsing lower-price-point collectibles but less reliable for serious Asian antique sourcing. The Paseo Arts District hosts occasional pop-up dealers and galleries with rotating inventory, but no fixed Asian antique specialist. Oriental Imports suits buyers seeking established, focused inventory from a single knowledgeable source; the Turnpike Mall suits bargain hunters comfortable with inconsistent selection.
Who This Shop Serves and Does Not Serve
Oriental Imports works well for interior designers sourcing specific pieces, collectors building a focused collection, and buyers seeking authenticity consultation. It does not suit those wanting rapid online checkout, return policies typical of retail stores, or the ability to browse thousands of items at once. Cash flow for the business depends on sales to design professionals and serious collectors; casual browsers are welcome but the shop is not optimized for impulse purchases or walk-in traffic that expects discounted pricing.
What a First Visit Involves
Expect to enter a filled but organized retail space where pieces are displayed by type and region. Bring measurements if you are hunting for a specific size of furniture. The owner or staff can discuss provenance, age, and condition; this consultation is included in the shopping experience and often explains pricing. Many items are one-of-a-kind, so availability cannot be confirmed online. Payment is cash or card; bring both or ask about preferred methods when calling ahead.
Hours and Logistics
Specific hours and exact street address should be confirmed directly with the shop before visiting, as antique retail hours often shift seasonally and for private appointments. Oklahoma City street parking is available in most commercial areas; many antique shops do not have dedicated lots. Call ahead to confirm the shop is open for walk-ins or to schedule a viewing if you are hunting for something specific.
Oriental Imports fills a role in Oklahoma City's antique market by maintaining consistent, curated stock in a category that matters to a particular buyer: those serious about Asian furnishings and decorative arts rather than general Americana or mid-century modern goods.
