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.
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Chinoiserie Cocktail Cabinet 1930s
£ 2,250
Art Deco Chinoiserie Cocktail Cabinet 1930s
£ 2,250
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Pair Of Attractive French Walnut Bedsides
£ 1,950
Timeless Furniture UK
Vintage 1960s Austin Suite Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 150
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Pair Burr Walnut Drop Leaf Bedside Cupboards/tables
£ 950
Pair Burr Walnut Drop Leaf Bedside Cupboards/tables
£ 950
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Victorian Mahogany Bow Sided Shop Display Cabinet
£ 1,350
Victorian Mahogany Bow Sided Shop Display Cabinet
£ 1,350
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Stalham Antique Gallery
A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Tray Top Bedside Cupboard
£ 820
Stalham Antique Gallery
18th Century Antique Mahogany Tray Top Bedside Cupboard
£ 750
Stalham Antique Gallery
Georgian Bedside Cabinet in Beautiful Mahogany
£ 565
Alain Michel Antiques
Pair Of Mahogany Somnos/ Bedside Tables
€ 1,400
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Glass Fronted Corner Cabinet
£ 295
£ 3,950
Antique French Mahogany Vitrine Cabinet - Attributed to Paul Sormani
£ 3,950
Hawkins Antiques
The Antique Shop
Antique Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Queen Anne Style Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 950
£ 149
£ 399
£ 599
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Edwards & Roberts Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet On Chest
£ 4,500
Edwards & Roberts Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet On Chest
£ 4,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique French Napoleon III Brass & Ebonised Pier Display Cabinet With A Gallery
£ 5,000
Antique French Napoleon III Brass & Ebonised Pier Display Cabinet With A Gallery
£ 5,000
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
French Napoleon III Ebonised Brass & Tortoiseshell Boulle & Marble Pier Cabinet
£ 4,500
French Napoleon III Ebonised Brass & Tortoiseshell Boulle & Marble Pier Cabinet
£ 4,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
£ 499
Vintage World
Bookcase Vintage French Oak Display Cabinet Carved
£ 469
£ 4,850
Antique Pianist's Lounge Server, English, Burr Walnut, Music Cabinet - Victorian
£ 4,850
London Fine Ltd
Georgian Antiques
Pair of French Marble-topped Bedside Pedestals
£ 1,800
£ 3,450
Antique Pier Cabinet, English, Walnut, Glazed Display Bookcase - Victorian c.1860
£ 3,450
London Fine Ltd
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Mahogany Bedside Cabinet / Pot Cupboard with Ogee Feet
£ 250
Antique Mahogany Bedside Cabinet / Pot Cupboard with Ogee Feet
£ 250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany Console Wall Table Cabinet
£ 2,750
Antique 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany Console Wall Table Cabinet
£ 2,750
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Large Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Cabinets/Bookcases
£ 9,500
Large Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Cabinets/Bookcases
£ 9,500
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Italian Walnut Cabinet
£ 4,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Victorian Ebonised & Brass Inlaid Boulle Breakfront Credenza Sideboard
£ 2,000
Antique Victorian Ebonised & Brass Inlaid Boulle Breakfront Credenza Sideboard
£ 2,000
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Elmgarden Antiques
A Small Lockable Burr Walnut Cabinet
£ 495
The Antique Shop
Pair of Walnut Bedside Cabinets / Chest of Drawers
£ 785
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Large Antique William IV Mahogany Breakfront Library Bookcase with Cupboards
£ 4,500
Large Antique William IV Mahogany Breakfront Library Bookcase with Cupboards
£ 4,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
£ 499
£ 2,400
Antique Victorian Inlaid Display Cabinet – In the Manner of Edwards & Roberts
£ 2,400
Hawkins Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Finnish 19th Century Painted Pine Wall Cupboard
£ 2,250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Display Cabinet in Mahogany
£ 585
£ 2,950
Large Antique Captain's Bookcase, English, Enclosed Book Cabinet, Late Victorian
£ 2,950
London Fine Ltd
London Fine Ltd
Tall Antique Side Cabinet, English, Ash, Book Cupboard, Hall, Lounge - Victorian c.1880
£ 2,350
Tall Antique Side Cabinet, English, Ash, Book Cupboard, Hall, Lounge - Victorian c.1880
£ 2,350
London Fine Ltd
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Small Oak Cabinet
£ 365
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Original Hand Painted Swedish Pine Wall Cabinet
£ 1,595
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.