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.
£ 1,250
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
An Attractive Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Piano Stool
£ 325
£ 169.99
Casnewydd Antiques
Small Antique Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 390
The Vintage Interiors
Painted Console Table
£ 175
The Vintage Interiors
Large Carved Oak Baroque Column
£ 995
£ 1,900
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Oak Hall Stand with Tile Back 1910s
£ 195
Vintage World
Amazing French Carved 3 Door Armoire Wardrobe
£ 549
Casnewydd Antiques
Antique Rustic Country Pine Dresser
£ 530
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Small Six Drawer Chest of Drawers
£ 195
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A 19thc French Directoire Walnut Marble Topped Commode
£ 2,150
A 19thc French Directoire Walnut Marble Topped Commode
£ 2,150
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
The Vintage Interiors
Carved Oak French Triple Armoire
£ 1,895
£ 189.99
Casnewydd Antiques
Rustic Pine Two Door Cupboard
£ 440
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century Black Forest Bear Stick Stand
£ 2,950
The Antique Shop
Burr Walnut Serpentine Chest of Drawers
£ 435
£ 339.99
Casnewydd Antiques
Antique Rustic Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 320
The Antique Shop
Burr Walnut Tallboy Chest on Chest of Drawers
£ 595
£ 850
Casnewydd Antiques
Vintage Antique Pine Sideboard
£ 320
£ 950
Vintage World
Amazing French Carved 4 Door Armoire Wardrobe
£ 749
Casnewydd Antiques
Ercol Chairs Four
£ 340
Casnewydd Antiques
Antique Rustic Pine Two Door Cupboard
£ 440
Church Street Antiques
Late Regency Inlaid Mahogany Twin Pedestal Sideboard
£ 1,950
£ 349
Vintage World
Amazing French Carved 4 Door Armoire Wardrobe
£ 699
LT Antiques
Queen Anne Walnut Hall Cupboard
£ 1,950
Lascombe Interiors
Decorative 20th Century Carved Coffee Table
£ 995
Vintage World
French Carved 5 Door Armoire Wardrobe
£ 999
Michael Johnson Antiques
Art Deco Walnut Sideboard 1930s
£ 1,650
Vintage World
Amazing French Carved 4 Door Armoire Wardrobe
£ 699
Adam Wylie Antiques
Mahogany Table in the Manner of Ambrose Heal
£ 450
Casnewydd Antiques
Antique Rustic Pine Large Chest of Drawers
£ 490
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
£ 3,600
FB Antiques
Set of Three French Walnut Tub Chairs
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
French Inlaid Marble Top Cabinet
£ 1,250
£ 1,250
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.