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.
Victoria Antiques
Quality Light Oak Bookcase
£ 550
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
Michael Johnson Antiques
Burr Yew Stationery & Writing Cabinet c.1860
£ 375
£ 880
Victoria Antiques
Neat Botjouterie Cabinet
£ 450
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Late 19th Century Inlaid Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 785
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Late 19th Century Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 495
Sunnyside Antiques
Shop Counter Set of Drawers
£ 995
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Glazed Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 495
£ 1,250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Bookcase In Mahogany
£ 425
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Small Arts And Crafts Bookcase In Oak
£ 395
Beau French Boutique
French Secrétaire Notary Filing Cabinet J.A.L. Paris
£ 1,195
Timeless Furniture UK
Gothic Revival Pitch Pine Bookcase With Base Cupboard
£ 350
Timeless Furniture UK
Large Victorian Oak with Mahogany Cross Banding Corner Cupboard
£ 375
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
£ 430
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Bookcase
£ 430
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 375
Timeless Furniture UK
Mahogany Corner Cupboard
£ 185
Georgian Antiques
4 Door Profusely Carved Mahogany Bookcase
£ 11,500
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Superb Quality Antique Victorian French Kingwood Display Cabinet
£ 1,850
Superb Quality Antique Victorian French Kingwood Display Cabinet
£ 1,850
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Swedish Walnut Art Deco Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,950
Georgian Antiques
Meiji Period Painted Shodana Cabinet on Stand
£ 1,250
Georgian Antiques
Rare Pair of George III Mahogany & Inlaid Bedside Cabinets
£ 6,850
Georgian Antiques
Large Georgian Style Corner Cabinet c.1900
£ 650
LT Antiques
18th Century Carved Oak Glazed Bookcase
£ 1,250
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Drapers Cabinet
£ 2,040
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Striking Victorian Mahogany Antique Bookcase
£ 975
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
Antique Victorian Quality Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Antiques & Chic
Pair of Victorian Bedside Cabinets
£ 675
£ 600
Millers Antiques
19th Century Bedside Cabinet Holland & Son
£ 450
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Wonderful Pair of French Bedside Marble Top Cupboards
£ 1,850
Camden Antiques
Marquetry Inlaid Burr Walnut Bookcase
£ 1,650
Erfmann Vintage
Mid 20th Century Small Glass Display
£ 375
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.