KARMA

Kaufman Auction retro Modern Antiques (KARMA) specializes in mid-century modern antiques and furniture from the 1950's to 1970's. KARMA is part of Kaufman Incorporated group of companies founded by Mr. David E. Kaufman. His core business is architectural Granite, Marble and other natural stones servicing primarily the Philippines market as well as neighboring Asian countries. He has gained recognition by securing major contracts with five star hotels, leading condominium developers, international houte couture fashion boutique chains, as well a completing a major restoration of one of the country's most important architectural landmark, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Kaufman Inc is proud to be regarded as one of the most pioneering stone company in the field, and one of the more respected stone company in the Philippines today.

For the last decade, David Kaufman has developed a keen eye and extensive global network in the mid-century modern furniture trade. Through his international contacts and connoisseurship, he has aggressively built his collection in scale and value. At present, Kaufman probably has one of the more comprehensive collections of iconic vintage furniture and lighting fixtures in the Philippines today. Having collaborated with the countries leading architect and interior designers in his stone business, and a being a design aficionado himself, Kaufman saw the absence of a specialist in vintage furniture. This is when he decided to turn his personal interest into a business. On June 2006, he opened KARMA, in Makati Avenue where it stayed until it moved in 2009 to the bohemian and eclectic Cubao Expo which it has generally regarded as Manila's Greenwich Village or Porto Belo attracting manila design cognoscenti.

KARMA carries pieces from Italy, Germany and France. Most of our customers regularly buy 70's vintage fiber glass Saarinen chairs, Tubular Metal Mart Stam chairs, Marcel Breuer cantilever chairs, Mies Van de Rohe Barcelona chairs, Eames lounge chairs from the 50s. As well as Scandinavian style bent wood, biomorphic chaise by Wendel Castel, Knoll sofos, Zanuso and Saporiti Itala seating and many more. In terms of lighting, we have an impressive collections of Gaetano Sciolari Chandeliers, impressive lucite table lamps, mammoth arched floor lamps by Guzzini , industrial reading lamp, Lightolier sputnik lamps, Gio Ponti style chandeliers and Austrian crystal starburst sputnik lamps.

We do not limit our items to the tried and tested mid-century iconic pieces from the west, we also are proud of our rare examples of Philippines Modernist chairs which are truly ground breaking. We also dabble with brutalist pieces by American Artists Paul Evans, Disco Era Milo Bauman style lounge chairs and Carl Springer lacquer pieces from the late seventies.

Kaufman's says he receives great satisfaction in hunting down and acquiring rare pieces which he and his team of craftsmen sensitively and painstakingly restore. We respect the original Patina of the pieces. We only seek to polish up and enhance the items condition to market expectations. We keep faithful to the creators vision of the pieces, always working with the best artisans for wood, steel and leather work. As most of the prices comes from abroad, finding the his pieces requires extensive travel to in order to fill the growing demand of his KARMA clientele.

Given Kaufman's keen interest in the decorative arts, one would think he would become attached or horde his pieces. On the contrary, Kaufman says he gains greater satisfaction from sharing his discoveries, and giving his clients the opportunity to acquire pieces which otherwise they would never have access to. " I consider my self a purveyor of good design, not a possessor. I have learned not to get attached to objects. Even if I love it, I believe something better is just around the corner," he says.