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.
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Regency Rosewood Side Cabinet
£ 2,350
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 950
Old Painted Furniture
Regency Painted Mahogany Two Part Estate Cabinet
£ 795
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian French Display Cabinet
£ 1,385
The Antique Shop
Antique Burr Walnut Three Door Cocktail Drinks Side Cabinet
£ 1,485
London City Antiques
19th Century Antique Quality Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet
£ 3,250
19th Century Antique Quality Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
London City Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Decorative George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet Bookcase c.1880
£ 2,400
Decorative George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet Bookcase c.1880
£ 2,400
Georgian Antiques
Vintage World
French Shabby Chic Antique Bedside Tables Cabinets
£ 349
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
18th Century Chinoiserie Corner Cabinet
£ 2,550
Worboys Antiques
Arts & Crafts Oak Corner Wall Cabinet
£ 245
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Antique Figured Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 295
Georgian Antiques
Victorian Walnut & Marquetry Inlaid Pier Cabinet
£ 875
Worboys Antiques
French Oak Double Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 425
LT Antiques
Bedside Cabinet by Shapland & Petter
£ 495
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Solid Oak Wall Cabinet
£ 345
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Mahogany Cabinet of Small Proportions
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Burr Walnut Demi Loon Cabinet
£ 895
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Ormolu Mounted Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Ormolu Mounted Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Witch Antiques
Chippendale Style Mahogany Cabinet
£ 695
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Style Cabinet Bookcase c.1920
£ 1,750
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Vintage Pair Bedside Tables or Nightstands French Antique Style
£ 385
Vintage Pair Bedside Tables or Nightstands French Antique Style
£ 385
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
£ 685
£ 515
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Edwards & Roberts Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet on Chest
£ 3,495
Edwards & Roberts Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet on Chest
£ 3,495
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Vintage House
Blue Washstand with Black Slate and Tiled Top
£ 245
£ 1,550
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Haberdasher's Display Drawers 1950s
£ 950
£ 699
£ 279.99
Vintage Old Charm Wood Bros / Oak TV Cabinet / Media Cabinet / Made in England 1970s
£ 279.99
MebleinUK
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
£ 195
Millers Antiques
19th Century Cabinet by A. Blane & Son
£ 750
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Quality Antique Edwardian Music Cabinet
£ 595
Harmony Antiques
French Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 345
Millers Antiques
18th Century Oak Corner Cabinet
£ 575
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Figured Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 895
London City Antiques
Antique Quality Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Corner Cabinet
£ 1,395
Vintage World
Amazing Vintage French Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 299
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Fine Pair of Mahogany Bedside Cupboards c.1860
£ 1,650
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.