Steve Purcell, founder of Antiques International Limited, is a licensed antique dealer with over 40 years of experience uncovering, restoring, and rehoming treasures from New Zealand and beyond.

His love of antiques began early. At just 15, Steve could be found wandering antique shops, rescuing time-worn pieces, and teaching himself the craft of furniture restoration. He developed a special passion for kauri furniture, and before long his home was filled with beautifully “done-up” pieces. The only problem? There was never enough space. Selling a few restored items to make room for new projects was the spark that set his future in motion.

As Steve built relationships with dealers around the country, his interests naturally expanded into general antiques, art, and jewellery. By the 1980s, what began as a hobby had grown into a fully fledged business. Steve sold at antique fairs, worked on behalf of established shops, and even converted an old Bedford bus into a travelling antique store—bringing unique finds directly to customers.

In the 1990s, he opened his first official shop, Circa 1900, in Merivale with a business partner, followed by a second store, Finders, in Riccarton. Then came the new millennium and the rise of eBay, which opened up a global marketplace and a worldwide customer base. With this shift, Circa 1900 closed its doors and Antiques International was born.

Today, Steve continues to combine his deep knowledge, craftsmanship, and passion for history to help clients discover and preserve remarkable pieces from the past.