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.
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Antique Figured Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 275
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Quality Mahogany Tray Top Bedside Tables
£ 490
£ 339.99
Jaycee Furniture / Vintage Oak Corner Display Cabinet / Cupboard / 1970 / Dark Oak
£ 339.99
MebleinUK
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Shape Display Cabinet
£ 4,850
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Shape Display Cabinet
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Pier Cabinet
£ 595
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique George III Quality Mahogany Bow Fronted Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,385
Unusual Antique George III Quality Mahogany Bow Fronted Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,385
London City Antiques
£ 499
£ 399
£ 449
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Quality Mahogany Bedside Tables Side Tables
£ 350
Church Street Antiques
Late Victorian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet - Shoolbred, London
£ 495
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Side Cabinet / Credenza
£ 2,950
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Mahogany Inlaid Art Nouveau Display Cabinet
£ 1,250
Hawkins Antiques
Rare Chinoiserie Lacquered Escritoire By Nicholas Petit
£ 6,400
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Victorian Rosewood Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 1,450
Hawkins Antiques
Stunning French Kingwood Cabinet By Maison Mottheau
£ 8,750
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Side Cabinet With Porcelain Plaques
£ 1,950
Alain Michel Antiques
Louis XIV Walnut Travel Cabinet - 18th Century
€ 3,900
£ 1,900
Pine School Cupboard Tall Bookcase Victorian 19th Century Glazed Cabinet
£ 1,900
Harper Baxter
£ 2,300
£ 449
£ 369
£ 249
£ 249
£ 699
£ 399
Vintage House
Vintage Black 1930s Glazed Bookcase Cabinet
£ 375
Hawkins Antiques
Fine Quaity Antique Satinwood Painted Display Cabinet
£ 4,950
Treehouse Antiques
Globe Wernicke Lawyers Bookcase
£ 465
Timeless Furniture UK
Vintage Oak Bookcase
£ 245
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Chiffonier Bookcase
£ 395
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Hall Cabinet
£ 1,285
Timeless Furniture UK
Early Twentieth-century Mahogany Cabinet Washstand
£ 225
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique 18th Century George III Quality Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
Unusual Antique 18th Century George III Quality Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marble Top Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 1,885
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marble Top Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 1,885
London City Antiques
Philip Hunt Antiques
Victorian Mahogany 2 Door Side Cabinet
£ 895
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique French Ormolu Marble Top Burl Walnut Bedside Cabinets Locker Nightstands
£ 2,950
Antique French Ormolu Marble Top Burl Walnut Bedside Cabinets Locker Nightstands
£ 2,950
Patrick Howard Antiques
£ 249
Vintage World
Amazing Cabinet / Cupboard Vintage French
£ 299
£ 369
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.