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.
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Two-door Glazed Bookcase
£ 360
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Serpentine Cabinet
£ 1,125
Antiques-Interiors
Edwardian Mahogany Corner Cabinet Ref68h98
£ 195
London City Antiques
Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Bookcase
£ 3,285
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Swedish Mid Century Flame Birch Grace Cabinet
£ 2,895
Beau French Boutique
Pair Of Chinoiserie Bedside Tables Side Cabinets
£ 975
Beau French Boutique
Vintage French Painted Bedside Tables Side Cabinets
£ 595
Beau French Boutique
Vintage French Oak Bedside Tables Side Cabinets
£ 395
Antiques & Chic
Marquetry Dressing Cabinet With Silver Grooming Set
£ 595
Phoebes Finds Antique and Vintage
Important Art Nouveau Inlaid Display Cabinet 1900’s
£ 4,700
Important Art Nouveau Inlaid Display Cabinet 1900’s
£ 4,700
Phoebes Finds Antique and Vintage
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Locker Cabinet
£ 1,150
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Japanese Meiji Period Shodana Display Cabinet
£ 3,750
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Inlaid Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 585
£ 699
£ 499
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 795
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Antique Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 480
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 365
Philip Hunt Antiques
Good Quality Sheraton Revival Satinwood Display Cabinet
£ 1,895
Philip Hunt Antiques
Amazing French Mahogany Corner Cabinet
£ 2,495
Philip Hunt Antiques
Very Stylish Art Deco Walnut Cocktail Cabinet
£ 850
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Regency Satinwood Kingwood Leather Top Writing Table
£ 4,950
Walton House Antiques Ltd
19th Century Satinwood Oval Bijouterie Vitrine
£ 695
Antique Furniture Direct
Georgian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet / Washstand
£ 195
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Georgian Style Burr Walnut Bedside Chests
£ 975
Worboys Antiques
Limed Oak Cupboard
£ 750
Worboys Antiques
Dark Oak Stacking Cabinet Bookcase
£ 575
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair French Marquetry Bedside Lamp Tables
£ 1,295
Camden Antiques
Victorian Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet by James Winter
£ 2,250
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Walnut 2 Draw Bedside Table Lamp Table
£ 125
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Side Cabinet
£ 1,900
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Teak Ladderax Bookcase Shelving
£ 945
£ 1,100
£ 1,100
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Regency Bedside Pot Cupboard Bedside Cabinet
£ 915
Old Painted Furniture
Mid Victorian Painted Mahogany Bedside Cupboard
£ 165
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
French Faux Bamboo Cupboard
£ 1,050
London City Antiques
Antique Quality Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Side Cabinet
£ 1,850
Victoria Antiques
Excellent Mahogany Bookcase
£ 395
Andreas de Jong Ltd
Fine George III Period Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 18,500
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.