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.
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Georgian Oak Chest of Drawers
£ 795
£ 380
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Pine Work Table
£ 895
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Wind-out Extending Dining Table
£ 550
Georgian Antiques
Liberty Oak Dining Table
£ 750
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Mahogany Hepplewhite Style Armchairs
£ 650
London City Antiques
Set of 8 Antique Quality Mahogany Dining Chairs
£ 3,450
Kernow Furniture
Early 20th Century Indian Table Top Cabinet
£ 295
artsncraftsfurniture
Arts & Crafts Stick Back Chair
£ 500
Georgian Antiques
George IV Neat Sized Two Door Robe
£ 1,750
Lambert & Co.
Mid 19th Century Walnut & Figured Walnut Salon Stool
£ 280
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Georgian Mahogany Drop Leaf Table
£ 895
Kernow Furniture
Antique Mahogany Washstand
£ 225
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Leather Office Desk Chair
£ 795
£ 745
Millers Antiques
Pair of Oak Desk Chairs
£ 400
Kernow Furniture
William & Mary Style Lowboy
£ 945
Georgian Antiques
Neat Sized Oak Jacobean Style Dresser
£ 1,250
Antiques & Chic
Georgian Campaign Chest
£ 1,195
London City Antiques
Large Quality Antique Mahogany William IV Centre Table
£ 2,850
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Style 3 Part Pedestal Desk c.1920
£ 1,250
London City Antiques
Outstanding Original George I Antique Quality Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 3,650
Outstanding Original George I Antique Quality Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 3,650
London City Antiques
Camden Antiques
Mahogany Bijouterie Table
£ 695
Kernow Furniture
Antique Chinoiserie Stool Chair Stool
£ 345
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
£ 950
London City Antiques
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Tea / Side Table
£ 2,150
Michael Johnson Antiques
Oak Dresser 17th Century
£ 3,450
Camden Antiques
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Tray Top Table
£ 475
London City Antiques
Finest Quality 19th Century Victorian Antique Inlaid Walnut Corner Cabinet
£ 2,250
Finest Quality 19th Century Victorian Antique Inlaid Walnut Corner Cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Mahogany Inlaid Marquetry Sideboard by Hewetsons, London
£ 5,250
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Mahogany Inlaid Marquetry Sideboard by Hewetsons, London
£ 5,250
London City Antiques
Kernow Furniture
Oak Barley Twist Side Table
£ 225
£ 1,195
Antique Work Chest, English, Pine, Tool Trunk, Candlebox - Victorian c.1900
£ 1,195
London Fine Ltd
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Pair of Antique Carved Mahogany Armchairs
£ 1,685
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Slim Bow Front Chest of Drawers
£ 950
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 399
LT Antiques
George III Mahogany Drum Table
£ 2,950
Victoria Antiques
Nice Gilt French Armchair in a Blue Damask
£ 275
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Jardiniere Table
£ 1,850
Harry Raine Antiques
Antique Oak Filing Cabinet
£ 495
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 449
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.