About Us
Our Philosophy
Old Crane Global was founded on the belief that objects are not just decorative — they carry memory, intention, and identity.​
​​
We curate across centuries, styles, and geographies: stone and silver, hand-thrown ceramics and velvet-framed portraits, carved wood and antique glass. What unites them is not a look, but a logic: each object is chosen for its power to anchor a space and expand its story.
​
To us, curation is not about matching styles. It is about meaningful juxtapositions, layered storytelling, and refined restraint — the art of placing the right object in the right place for the right reason.​ In a world of mass production and fast design, we offer a slower, more considered approach: one that respects history, values beauty, and celebrates the quiet power of well-chosen things.
Our Story
​Founded by siblings Valerie Ani and Serge Vardykian, Old Crane Global brings together decades of experience in material culture, international sourcing, and the visual language of design. With backgrounds spanning academia, international business, and the arts, we offer complementary perspectives that allow each project to be shaped from both instinct and precision, concept and execution.
​
The crane, our namesake, has long symbolized grace, longevity, and quiet power. In many cultures, it is seen as a guardian of memory — a creature that endures across generations. Like the bird, our work bridges time and place: we source globally, think historically, and curate for lasting presence.
​
Old Crane Global is a curatorial studio, a collaborative partner, and a distinctive voice in the world of decorative objects. We are currently based in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, with global outreach across Europe, Russia, Asia, and beyond.
​
Valerie Ani
Founder
Dr. Valerie Ani is a multilingual scholar, author, and curator with many years of experience across academic research, global collecting, and design advising. Her work explores the intersection of identity, culture, and aesthetics — shaped by a life lived between continents and disciplines.
​
Valerie brings intellectual depth and refined instinct to the curatorial vision of Old Crane Global. She is especially drawn to objects that carry historical resonance and visual presence, and works with both individuals and institutions to shape collections that reflect intention, taste, and identity.
Serge Vardykian
Operations & Partnerships Director
With a background spanning law, commercial real estate, and strategic negotiations, Serge Vardykian brings deep operational experience and business insight to Old Crane Global. He has held executive and legal roles in both the private and public sectors — including real estate development, crisis management, and high-level partner coordination.
​
Multilingual and experienced in navigating complex regulatory environments, Serge specializes in building relationships and handling the practical dimensions of growth and logistics. As Operations & Partnerships Director, he helps translate Old Crane’s curatorial vision into sustainable, real-world partnerships across markets and regions.