Treasure Trove : A consignment shop sells antiques, crystal and silver for half price or less.

During a tight economy, people struggling to make ends meet often have to unload some of their treasures. The in ventory of pawnshops and consignment stores broadens, and those with money can snag some excellent buys.

A consignment operation for fine home furnishings and accessories recently opened on the Westside, and if you’re a bargain hunter of fine antiques and collectibles in furniture, silver, crystal and accessories, you will love this place.

It’s called Uniquities, The Consignment House, and is operated by two knowledgeable young men. Whether it’s antique furniture, objets d’art, fine crystal or silver--the mix is terrific. Robert Lamont and Bijan Sotudah know an item’s worth and will price it at about one-third to one-half its value.

Some particularly handsome items spotted: a Louis XIV settee for $850 and a white Emerson spinet piano for $655, both excellent deals. A Reed and Barton four-piece silver tea set that originally sold for around $8,000 was $3,375.

A good-looking George II oak breakfast table from the 1820s was $2,000. An unusual Lalique bird, 12 inches high with a rainbow of colors in the base, could have been at least $1,000, but was $495. The bargain of the day in this tidy and well-organized shop probably was an oval Hepplewhite, double pedestal table with a leaf and six chairs in good shape for $850.

A lovely Lalique perfume bottle that retails for $450 was $270. A collection of antique Russian icons started at $850; in a gallery you’d probably pay around $1,500. Some sterling English-style picture frames that sell for around $100 were $40. A Ricci silver-plate four-piece tea set was a steal at $325--retail is $1,200.

A charming courtyard with fountains (not for sale) provides an effective background for outdoor furniture. Some antique Victorian planters were exquisite, although at $750 a bit pricey for anyone who’s not a collector, but a nice wrought-iron table that would retail for around $300 was $125.

Of course, the turnover is high--about 80% of the pieces move every two weeks. This is definitely one of those places to visit every week or so. Of course, if you’re looking for something special, let the owners know, and they’ll contact you if it comes in.

If you want to realize some return on pieces of your own, the deal here is 35% to the house on items more than $100 and 65% to the consignee (that’s you). On items under $100, plan on a 50-50 split. Just before leaving on a two-week holiday, I took in an Orrefors bowl that was simply a dust catcher; when I returned a nice check was waiting for me.

Where to Shop

Location: Uniquities, The Consignment House, 634 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood.

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11-a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Cards: Visa, MasterCard.

Call: (310) 289-7770.