Here’s our pick of three shops that stood out for everything from steampunk lamps to vintage chandeliers, and from cafe-type exposed filament bulbs to those ever-so-charming strings of fairy lights.
Disclaimer: While stores are open again and sanitising regularly, please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask if you choose to step out safely.
Our opener, relatively hard-to-miss, was this all mosaic shop – brimming with every possible colour you can imagine. First off, this isn’t in Bhagirath Palace, but a good landmark to find it is the huge State Bank Building. They’ve been around for almost 60 years and have mastered the art of using mosaic for everything from mirror frames to wall art to even furniture. Their star product are the Turkish lights that they even export to Turkey.
If you’re one for colours, these lamps and chandeliers are #goals. Most lights start at INR 1K, and the completely customised mosaic stool can set you back by INR 10K.
Orient is big, bold and utterly beautiful. One of the few places that takes pride in designing and manufacturing their own lamps and light fixtures in favour of Chinese exports. We bumped into three generations of owners who’ve seen this grow and come into the spotlight over the years. Here, you’ll find jharokhas, mason jars, steampunk machinery, gothic-looking rose-bouquet-style chandeliers over and above quirky pendant lamps and strings of lights stuffed into chemistry lab equipment.
Unlike its neighbours, Anil’s is a small establishment, but if you’re looking for spotlights, fall-ceiling bulbs or even that one-off statement lamp, you can stop by. We spotted wooden lights in the shape of triangles (INR 1,200) and even a brass cycle (only at INR 350) that we particularly liked.
Amidst all these old and new lamp shops, we also found a stall so small he didn’t even have a card but God, it’s one of the cutest places we’ve seen. We found it because we were lost while combing the lanes, and what’s a Chandni Chowk trip without bumping into odd finds, right? They have table fans (yes, so archaic and so cool) in candy colours and disco lights at INR 650. You can try looking for stall no. 39 in the Old Lajpat Rai market.