Discover A Treasure Trove Of Antiques At M.S. Rau In New Orleans
By Ben Jones|Published November 01, 2021
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Ben Jones
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Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
In the heart of New Orleans, you’ll find an antique gallery that’s arguably one of the finest in the country. M.S. Rau has a huge selection of fine art, antiques, and jewelry. This is not a shabby thrift store: to step into M.S. Rau is more like stepping into a fine arts museum. If you have the means, this is a place where you can find something very, very special. Here’s a look at what’s inside this special New Orleans gallery.
M.S. Rau is located on Royal Street in the French Quarter, a short walk from St. Louis Cathedral and around the corner from Preservation Hall.
The establishment has a very long history in New Orleans. It was founded in 1912 and it’s now in its third and fourth generation of ownership. It’s huge, with more than 30,000 square feet of gallery space. By sales it’s the largest business of its kind in North America.
If you are looking for fine porcelain, this place has services fit for royalty – some of it is worth more than a typical family home. Some of it is even has a royal lineage!
The antique selection is not too shabby either, with fine and one-of-a kind pieces from all over the world. If your desk needs a delicate and authentic Tiffany lamp, you can probably find one here.
If you are looking for an exquisite piece of designer jewelry or something with a very, very large stone – or both – make plans to explore M.S. Rau’s collection.
You don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to enjoy some of the fine works at M.S. Rau. It produces museum-quality exhibitions annually, both in its New Orleans gallery and at a number of art and antique fairs around the country. M.S. Rau is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. If your budget can’t afford the fine works at the Rau but you want to do a little historic shopping, here’s another New Orleans business with a rich history.
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