• Michael Backman Ltd is one of the world’s premier sources for rare Asian, Islamic, Tribal & Colonial antiques.

    Sound provenance is critical. Our items are sourced from colonial-era, private UK collections.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

  • EXPERTISE.   Something in which we invest constantly.

    We have strong links to universities & museums; undertake numerous research trips around the world; and hold a massive, in-house Library.

    We also market books on the world’s material cultures via World Art Now.

  • New!!

    Listen here to Michael Backman in conversation about the Malay world – its impact on world commerce and art – with Juan de Lara of Asia House. (An Asia House production.)

  • Our monthly catalogues showcase our new stock & are emailed to around 10,000 collectors & curators worldwide.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

  • Our gallery is in central London, but most of our clients are in the US, Europe & Asia.

    We send items by courier, worldwide.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

  • Michael Backman Ltd is one of the world’s premier sources for rare Asian, Islamic, Tribal & Colonial antiques.

    Sound provenance is critical. Our items are sourced from colonial-era, private UK collections.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

  • EXPERTISE.   Something in which we invest constantly.

    We have strong links to universities & museums; undertake numerous research trips around the world; and hold a massive, in-house Library.

    We also market books on the world’s material cultures via World Art Now.

  • New!!

    Listen here to Michael Backman in conversation about the Malay world – its impact on world commerce and art – with Juan de Lara of Asia House. (An Asia House production.)

  • Our monthly catalogues showcase our new stock & are emailed to around 10,000 collectors & curators worldwide.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

  • Our gallery is in central London, but most of our clients are in the US, Europe & Asia.

    We send items by courier, worldwide.

    Receive our monthly catalogues.

Our latest monthly catalogue

New Items for October 2020

30 fine, new items are showcased here in our October 2020 catalogue.

Monthly Catalogue Sign-up

Receive our regular catalogue update and never miss out on our latest objects

Protecting the Past

Rare, Museum Quality Items

A curated exhibition showcasing a selection of our finest items.

Tibet & the Himalayas

A curated page of especially fine Himalayan antiques.

East-West Colonial Antiques

Colonial Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch & other East-West Antiques

Jewellery from Asia

One of our several jewellery pages - showcased here is jewellery from Asia including India, Southeast Asia & the Himalayas.

Selected Finest items

A selection of our rarest pieces.


Indonesia & the Malay World

Antiques from Indonesia & Islamic Southeast Asia but also Borneo & Bali.

Colonial Indian & Burmese Silver

Silver items made in India during the colonial era. One of several pages devoted to Indian silver.