Chandeliers to Jewelry, It's All at Lion's Head Antiques

had a steady flow of customers in the week before Christmas, as customers came in looking for holiday and hostess gifts. Owner Elinor McDonough watched a woman pick up a plate featuring Caroline Kennedy and immediately pointed her toward more Kennedy memorabilia in the front window and throughout the shop.

McDonough said she is able to keep a tally of much of her inventory in her head, allowing her to identify a customer’s taste and point out other items that might be of interest.

Her Main Street shop is filled with decorative pieces, china, figurines, furniture and more. Costume jewelry is very popular, and McDonough said she has pieces for all price ranges from $20 to $400. December is one of her busiest months and she has done a brisk business in Belleek and Royal Daulton figurines, Wedgwood, teacups and saucers, sterling silver salt and pepper shakers, and candle snuffers.

McDonough buys antiques through organized estate sales and private sales.

“The best way is if people call here and ask you to look at things,” McDonough said.

She has a stable of regular of customers, from costume jewelry collectors to casual shoppers who “come in just to see whatever catches their fancy.”

McDonough said her location is great, particularly the big front windows, which are an attraction even when the shop is closed. At those times, customers often spot an item in the window and call the shop on the spot, leaving a message for McDonough to hold the item for them. McDonough is happy to do just that and more to keep her customers coming back.

For example, she allows customers to take larger pieces home to see what they look like in their own space. “How do you know?” she explained. “You really need to see things in place.” 

Chandeliers are popular items for customers to try at home, McDonough said, pointing out a “wedding cake” chandelier, as well as two others sparkling in the back room.

Mirrors and floor lamps also sell well. China sets related to the local colleges are good sellers also, McDonough said, showing a rose-patterened Harvard Tercentary china set, a “gorgeous MIT platter,” and some Yale plates.

McDonough has been in the antiques business for 15 years, the last three in her current location. She runs the shop by herself, except for occasional help from “another lady who dabbles in antiques” and her daughter, who will sometimes work in exchange for dinner.

Surveying her crowded shop, she said she tries to keep things from getting too cluttered. And, she added, shaking her head and seeming to marvel at herself, “I’ve really managed to keep the house under control.” She does, she admits, store some extra pieces in her garage.

Another occupational hazard is visiting other people’s houses, especially when she spots a particularly interesting piece.

“You want to go over and pick it up,” she said wistfully, “but you can’t.”