A Cabinet is any cupboard-like piece of furniture for storing objects, often with shelves or doors but not always. Compared to modern example which are often poorly constructed and quite plain, old cabinets were often constructed to proudly show off so are a great way to combine character and superb quality in one. With their glass fronted doors Display Cabinets have always been desirable for those special objects you just don’t want to hide away from sight and were particularly fashionable during the 18th and 19th Centuries. In contrast, Side Cabinets usually offer a mixture of solid or glass doors in a design more reminiscent of a sideboard. They tend to be elegantly thought-out objects in their own right often using fine timbers, carved rails and fine tapered legs.
Although most antique cabinets have been designed with a specific purpose in mind such as Cocktail cabinets, Filing cabinets or Music cabinets, never overlook them even if that is not the use you are intending for it. Their versatility can usually still work for any modern use and add a touch of unusualness to the room.
At LoveAntiques we have very large selection of Antique and Vintage cabinets for all your storage needs.
£ 850
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of French Marquetry Bedside Cabinets
£ 995
Vintage House
Small Black Carved Shelf Unit with Drawer
£ 275
£ 850
£ 349
D and A Binder LTD
F.Sage & Co Bow Shop Display Cabinet
£ 6,000
Hingstons Antiques
Victorian Inlaid Walnut Music Cabinet
£ 2,650
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Filing Cabinet
£ 2,400
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Ebonised Birch Escritoire
£ 22,950
Old Mill Antiques
Rare Pair of Victorian Oak Collectors Cabinets
£ 4,995
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Spectacular Inlaid Bow Fronted Antique Satinwood Cabinet
£ 1,450
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Spectacular Rosewood Antique Cabinet
£ 1,650
£ 219.99
Antique Blanket Box Coffer / Old Dulceola Gramophone Cabinet / Made in England 1920s
£ 219.99
MebleinUK
Georgian Antiques
Neat Size Rosewood Cabinet with Brass Grill Doors
£ 990
Georgian Antiques
Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Cabinet
£ 4,350
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Superb Quality Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,875
Antique Edwardian Superb Quality Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,875
London City Antiques
Martlesham Antiques
Superb Quality 19th Century Anglo Indian Cabinet
£ 2,250
IMAGO Vintage Art
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquer Cabinet Butterfly
£ 1,750
Millers Antiques
Bedside Locker Holland & Sons
£ 275
London City Antiques
Antique Mahogany Astragal Glazed Carved Corner Cabinet
£ 1,695
Harry Raine Antiques
A Large Walnut Two Door Bookcase
£ 525
The Old Pine Shop
Fabulous Old Pine Tall Cupboard - Housekeeping / Wardrobe
£ 699
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Credenza/Sideboard
£ 6,850
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Credenza/Sideboard
£ 6,850
London City Antiques
£ 895
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Victorian Pair of Walnut Pier Cabinets
£ 2,750
Fincraigs Antiques
Georgian Corner Cupboards
£ 1,800
Fincraigs Antiques
Pine Bookcase Cabinet
£ 950
Fincraigs Antiques
Bookcase c.1830
£ 750
Fincraigs Antiques
Walnut Credenza or Walnut Bookcase
£ 2,850
Martlesham Antiques
19th Century Anglo Indian Cabinet
£ 1,950
Antiques & Chic
Edwardian Oak Bookcase - Adjustable Shelves
£ 845
Antiques & Chic
Victorian Walnut Pier Bookcase
£ 745
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Georgian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 245
Vintage House
Small Black Painted Art Deco Cabinet
£ 275
Camden Antiques
French Mahogany Marble Topped Vitrine
£ 795
Vintage House
Black Painted Collectors Cabinet Gramaphone Cupboard
£ 375
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 2,650
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 2,650
London City Antiques
Salisbury Antiques Centre
17th Century Oak Table Cabinet
£ 675
Antique & Modern Living
Rosewood & Brass Inlay Side Cabinet
£ 2,250
The antique cabinet first emerged in Italy in the late Renaissance. From initially being a small room that displayed objects, thus the term display cabinet, the antique cabinet soon became a piece of furniture with a pair of doors enclosing small drawers. Some antique cabinets were on stands while others were placed on chests. In the 16th century, the French style antique cabinets were based on architectural lines, while the English style antique cabinets were small and mounted on a stand. By the 17th century, the English style antique cabinet was popular among the rich, and in the mid-17th century, southern Germany and Antwerp specialised in creating inlaid ones. After the Restoration in 1660, these antique furniture pieces became decorative objects.
Not all old cabinets are antique. It could be one of those vintage cabinets; it could also be a mere replica or a new display cabinet designed to look old. To know that what you have is an authentic antique cabinet, it’s essential to be familiar with the craftsmanship, material, and each style used at least a hundred years ago. Aside from signs of wear, you have to look for any marks of the manufacturer. Try to find the stamp or branding as well as the location or country where it was made. Determine the type of wood used, how the cabinet was put together, and signs of it being handcrafted. To accurately identify the age of your antique display cabinet, take it to a reputable appraiser or antiques expert or antique dealers.
If they aren’t yet a hundred years old, or not created during the Georgian period, Regency, Victorian or the Edwardian period, 19th century or early 20th century, then you have vintage cabinets. Vintage storage cabinets would often have bright or pastel colours and romantic floral decorations. For a display cabinet to be vintage, it has to have the best characteristics of the period it was created in, so you have to learn about the different styles of the different decades under 100 years. Going to an antiques expert or appraiser or visiting your local antique dealers will save you time and you’ll get to have all the information you need, including the price range you could sell your furniture for.
An antique cabinet can have a price range of £90-£85,000. The price of any antique furniture depends on the item’s condition, age, materials and style, among others. The more original components these items still have, the higher would be their value. By getting your items appraised by a professional, you’d be able to find out if you have antique cabinets UK dealers would pay much for as well as know how much money you could make out of the items. The more information you have about your items, the more chance you’d be able to sell them.