• 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 Nov-Dec 2020

40 fine, new items are showcased here in our Nov-Dec 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.