7 Timeless Pieces From Savannah That Keep Georgia’s Antique Scene Alive
Savannah’s historic streets hide treasures from bygone eras, making it a paradise for antique lovers. From Civil War relics to Victorian furniture, this charming coastal city preserves Georgia’s rich past through its unique collectibles.
Walking through Savannah’s antique district feels like stepping into a living museum where every item tells a story of Southern heritage.
1. Handcrafted Savannah Rocking Chairs
Carved from local oak and cypress, these iconic pieces have graced Southern porches for generations. Savannah rocking chairs feature distinctive curved runners and intricate latticework that can’t be replicated by mass production.
Many still bear the maker’s marks of renowned 19th-century craftsmen who established the city’s woodworking tradition. Their gentle rhythm brings the famous Savannah pace of life right into your home.
2. Civil War Era Silver Service Sets
Gleaming despite their age, these elegant treasures survived Sherman’s March through Georgia. Each teapot and sugar bowl tells a silent story of hidden valuables and families protecting their legacy during tumultuous times.
Civil War silver from Savannah often bears unique Southern motifs – magnolias, cotton blossoms, and palmetto leaves. Collectors prize these sets for their historical significance and exceptional craftsmanship that modern silversmiths rarely achieve.
3. Coastal Georgia Maps And Maritime Prints
Yellowed with age yet vibrant with history, these rare cartographic treasures reveal how Savannah’s harbor evolved over centuries. Naval enthusiasts treasure the detailed renderings of ships that once sailed these waters, from colonial merchant vessels to steamboats.
The most coveted maps date from the colonial era, showing Oglethorpe’s original city plan. Maritime prints often feature hand-colored details that have remarkably retained their pigment, offering glimpses into Savannah’s seafaring past that photographs simply cannot capture.
4. Victorian Parlor Furniture
Sumptuous velvet upholstery and carved mahogany frames transport visitors to Savannah’s Gilded Age opulence. Unlike northern counterparts, these Southern pieces often incorporate lighter woods and more generous proportions, adapted for Georgia’s climate and lifestyle.
Victorian parlor sets from Savannah typically feature distinctive floral motifs inspired by local gardens. The craftsmanship reveals a fascinating blend of European design principles with uniquely Southern adaptations that make these pieces highly sought after by serious collectors.
5. Savannah Riverboat Memorabilia
From brass bells to captain’s wheels, these nautical treasures evoke the golden age of steam travel. The patina of salt air and decades of handling gives each piece an authenticity that reproduction items simply cannot match.
Savannah’s riverboat culture created unique artifacts unlike those found in other port cities. Vintage photographs, passenger manifests, and ticket stubs complement the larger items, creating fascinating collections that document the vital river commerce that built the city’s fortune.
6. Heirloom Southern Quilts
Stitched by generations of Savannah women, these textile masterpieces combine practical warmth with artistic expression. The distinctive geometric patterns and color combinations reflect both African and European influences unique to coastal Georgia’s cultural melting pot.
Antique Savannah quilts often incorporate fabrics with fascinating provenance – from imported silks to homespun cotton. The most valuable pieces feature documented family histories and regional patterns like the Savannah Star or Georgia Crossroads, telling stories of the women who created beauty despite challenging circumstances.
7. Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets
Woven by skilled hands using techniques passed down from enslaved West Africans, no two pieces are identical. The distinctive coil pattern creates sturdy vessels that once served practical purposes but now command premium prices in Savannah’s finest antique shops.
Sweetgrass baskets represent one of America’s oldest continuous craft traditions. Their subtle earth tones and organic textures bring authentic Lowcountry heritage into contemporary spaces while honoring the Gullah Geechee cultural legacy.
