Pakistan's last antique restorers give old treasures new life

In the ancient city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Ahsan Shakeel and his colleague Shakeel Ahmed are among the last master restorers preserving antique metalware. Sitting outside his small shop, Shakeel buffed a brass pot, removing dents and preparing it for polishing. He explained that his craft, passed down from his father, focuses on restoring items from the Mughal and British colonial periods.

These antiques, made of copper or brass, are increasingly rare as modern stainless steel and plastic kitchenware have taken their place. Shakeel procures damaged items from scrap yards, ports, and household clearances, often paying little for them. He restores the pieces by hammering out dents, re-tinning interiors, and polishing the metal.

A valued restored item can sell for between $100 and $1,000. Most of his customers are collectors or enthusiasts, with international buyers now frequent. However, the number of customers has decreased over time due to slow turnover and fewer buyers understanding the value. Ahmed finds restoring these objects enjoyable because they carry stories from past communities, breathing life into what he calls "the dead."