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.
Tony Youll Antiques
18th Century Cabinet on Chest
£ 1,795
Georgian Antiques
Exhibition Quality Gillows of Lancaster Dining Table
£ 7,250
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Burr Walnut Desk
£ 950
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Card Table
£ 1,495
Whites Antiques
Pair of Heal's of London Mahogany Bedframes - All Original
£ 3,080
Hingstons Antiques
Antique Tibetan Decorated Cabinet
£ 1,475
Rawlings Antiques
Pair of Mahogany Bedside Chests of Drawers
£ 1,495
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Regency Mahogany Linen Press Cupboard
£ 995
£ 2,695
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
G Plan Nest of Quadrille Tables
£ 270
Church Street Antiques
George III Mahogany Bow Fronted Chest of Drawers
£ 980
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Lamp Table
£ 1,085
Whites Antiques
Carolean Revival Reclining Armchair Cane Seat & Back c.1920
£ 425
Rawlings Antiques
Pair of Georgian Mahogany Demi Lune Console Tables
£ 895
Rawlings Antiques
Art Deco Walnut Compactom Gentlemen's Wardrobe The Valet
£ 1,295
Whites Antiques
French Buffet à Deux Corps Solid Oak c.1780
£ 950
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Antique Pine Campaign Cupboard
£ 1,100
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk
£ 2,250
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Antique Pine Arched Top Children's Wardrobe (Dismantles)
£ 720
Antique Pine Arched Top Children's Wardrobe (Dismantles)
£ 720
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Martlesham Antiques
18th Century Carved & Inlaid Oak Coffer
£ 1,550
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Inlaid Lamp Table
£ 1,085
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Inlaid Lamp Table
£ 1,085
London City Antiques
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Wall Shelves
£ 295
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
19th Century French Empire Period Painted Demi Lune Console Table
£ 6,800
19th Century French Empire Period Painted Demi Lune Console Table
£ 6,800
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Biedermeier Style Birch Commode
£ 720
Martlesham Antiques
Superb Quality 18th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 2,850
Tom Scott Antiques
5’ Long Stool in Ticking Stripes on Tulip Legs
£ 595
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Burr Walnut Centre Table
£ 1,685
Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Burr Walnut Centre Table
£ 1,685
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Tulip Side Tables by Arkana
£ 845
Worboys Antiques
Early 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 450
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
19th Century French Painted Bed
£ 3,800
Philip Hunt Antiques
Regency Mahogany Bow Chest of Drawers
£ 865
Millers Antiques
Neat Scottish Ash Kneehole Desk
£ 595
London City Antiques
Fantastic Quality Antique Victorian Carved Walnut 3 Piece Suite
£ 4,750
Fantastic Quality Antique Victorian Carved Walnut 3 Piece Suite
£ 4,750
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Brass Inlaid Side Tables
£ 895
Whites Antiques
Stunning Vintage French Vendange Table
£ 985
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Walnut Parquetry Commode
£ 3,800
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Walnut Parquetry Commode
£ 3,800
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Millers Antiques
Pair of Painted Scandinavian Armchairs
£ 1,200
Trade Antiques
Stool Elm Suite Country Cottage Superb Patina 1890-1900
£ 485
Philip Hunt Antiques
Queen Anne Style Leather Footstool
£ 395
Marylebone Antiques
Danish Vintage Rosewood Desk by Severin Hansen for Haslev
£ 4,250
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.