Since a house is far more than a home, it requires furniture that is far more than just functional. It requires furniture with soul. Nothing does this better than antique and vintage furniture which combine quality with a warmth and personality only time can bring. These were pieces that were good enough for our ancestors to buy and use and love. And if it was good enough for them, then they probably deserve to join our family too. Furthermore an antique cabinet or antique table will add character to even the most uninspiring room.
So how should you really shop for antique furniture? Well, the simple answer is to have fun with it. Free from the conformity of current fashions you can acquire pieces just because you like them and because they inspire you. Buy an elegant Art Deco chest of drawers because it adds unashamed glamour to the room, buy a deep buttoned Victorian armchair because secretly inside you pretend you are Sherlock Holmes every time you sink down into it. Or simply place a 17th Century coffer at the end of the bed so that every time you wake up you can admire the warmth and wear those 300 years of loving handling brings.
At LoveAntiques we have an amazing and ever-changing selection of vintage and antique furniture for sale online from hundreds of Antique Dealers, catering for all your needs.
£ 735
£ 27,500
Pair of Exhibition Quality Walnut Silvered and Yew Wood Serving Tables
£ 27,500
Georgian Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Oak Housekeeper's Estate Cupboard C1910 - High-quality Vintage Storage
£ 2,495
Antique Oak Housekeeper's Estate Cupboard C1910 - High-quality Vintage Storage
£ 2,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Worboys Antiques
George III Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
£ 595
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Inlaid Mahogany Nest of Three Tables
£ 395
London City Antiques
Antique George III 18th Century Chippendale Quality Carved Mahogany Card / Side Table
£ 3,250
Antique George III 18th Century Chippendale Quality Carved Mahogany Card / Side Table
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
The Gentleman Terrier
An Antique Light Oak Country, Farmhouse Table or Desk, Kitchen, Study, Two Drawer
£ 225
An Antique Light Oak Country, Farmhouse Table or Desk, Kitchen, Study, Two Drawer
£ 225
The Gentleman Terrier
Matthew Coles Antiques
Extremely Decorated Damascus (syrian) Singular Armchair.
£ 425
Ferentz Antiques
DB Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 122
£ 875
Rawlings Antiques
Large Victorian Walnut Breakfront Triple Wardrobe
£ 1,495
Worboys Antiques
Small Edwardian Leather Top Table
£ 345
The Old Yard
Large 19th C. Pine Farmhouse Table
£ 1,950
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 2,025
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Bentwood Cane Rocking Chair
£ 525
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Louis XV Style Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 1,250
Hingstons Antiques
Pair of Edwardian Leather Club Chairs
£ 3,450
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Card Table
£ 1,285
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Epstein Art Deco Sideboard Circa 1930
£ 1,450
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Epstein Art Deco Sideboard with Drawers, Cupboards, and Cabriole Supports Circa 1930
£ 1,450
Antique Epstein Art Deco Sideboard with Drawers, Cupboards, and Cabriole Supports Circa 1930
£ 1,450
Hawkins Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique French Giltwood Armchairs
£ 2,750
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Fine English Mid 18th Century Burr Elm Lowboy, Circa 1750
£ 4,275
Erfmann Vintage
Early 20th C Walnut Rattan Back & Seat Occasional Armchair
£ 495
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Oak Hanging Shelf Rack
£ 295
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Large 19th Century French Walnut Guéridon/Centre Table
£ 5,250
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Commodes
£ 8,950
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode with Paw Feet
£ 3,400
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode with Paw Feet
£ 3,400
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Marble Top Cabinet
£ 1,575
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Louis XVI Period French Mahogany Commode
£ 9,500
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century English George III Oak Dresser Base/Server
£ 4,800
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century English Mahogany Elbow Chair
£ 1,450
Erfmann Vintage
Mid Century Vintage Oviedo Leather Chaise Brown Cigar Colour
£ 1,255
Marylebone Antiques
Set of Four Vintage Italian Chiavari Dining Chairs in Solid Brass
£ 1,450
Set of Four Vintage Italian Chiavari Dining Chairs in Solid Brass
£ 1,450
Marylebone Antiques
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Glazed Library Bookcase
£ 1,095
Elmgarden
Victorian Folding Wrought Iron Bed
£ 800
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Austrian Period Solid Elm Armchairs
£ 1,525
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Four Tier Mahogany Whatnot Shelving
£ 620
Alain Michel Antiques
English Oak Dresser Base / Console, 18th Century
€ 2,900
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Burr Walnut Ebonised Davenport
£ 1,950
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Serpentine Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
£ 780
How do I identify antique furniture?
Although most antique furniture is found without labels or dates, genuine antique pieces can usually be identified from a combination of the materials used, the style of the piece as well as the natural wear on the finish or Patina. Patina is something that can only occur naturally over time and is very hard to fake via man-made effects such as staining, sanding and painting. The skill is looking at lots of tiny details which convince you the item is a genuine antique. Much of this skill and knowledge can be built up over time just by observing real pieces and learning from those around you. It is also a good reason to buy from reputable antique dealers such as those on LoveAntiques who can give you the piece of mind that the item is what you say it is as well as offer valuable advice.
How to value antique furniture?
Like any collectable field antique furniture can range in value between nearly worthless to virtually priceless. In the past price guide reference books were a good starting point for valuing different items, but today such books have become nearly obsolete with the power of the internet at our fingertips. In most cases the internet will be the first place to research your item but don’t forget that the values you find can vary dramatically depending on the condition, who is selling them, where the item is located and more. While there are certain furniture items which are less or more fashionable today than in the past, desirability and value really comes down to individual taste and the room it is going into. You can ask your local auction house or antique dealer for a valuation but in both cases the value they give should be considered an estimate only. There are specialist online valuation services which will provide valuations for a fee but again check their location as values can vary dramatically between countries and continents.
Is Mahogany furniture valuable?
The simple answer is Mahogany furniture can be very valuable. It has always been a scarce and prized timber so is usually a sign that the antique item was expensive and well made at the time, sometimes by the very best makers and designers. Mahogany was first imported from the West Indies at the start of the 18th Century and continued to be popular up to the beginning of the 20th Century. It not only has an appealing red tone and grain but is strong and crisp to carve. However, Mahogany has also always been scarce, so almost from the start was also being used as a veneer as well as solid timber. Today antique mahogany is slightly less fashionable overall compared to other timbers (such as Oak) so can be purchased for less than in the past making them great value. In truth if you like the item or it suits the room, then that item is valuable to you either way.
What date is Georgian and Victorian Furniture?
The Georgian era in England (1714-1837) began with King George I in 1714 and ended with the death of George IV in 1830. However, for simplicity most people also include the subsequent reign of William IV from 1830-37 into the Georgian period. The Victorian era (1837-1901) began when Queen Victoria took to the throne in 1837 and until her death in 1901. When describing antique furniture people sometimes use the terms Georgian and Victorian somewhat loosely to also describe items created in the styles popular during those times.
What is vintage Furniture?
The phrase ‘Vintage Furniture’ is commonly used to describe a whole group of furniture that is not yet old enough to be antique. Many people and sales platforms deem that vintage items must be a minimum of 20 years old to be called Vintage and that they finally become Antique when they are at least 100 years old. In principle this is a pretty clear definition, but it is important to recognise that these are only guide-lines and some will use ‘Vintage’ to refer to even newer items in an older style.