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.
Harmony Antiques
1940's French Oak Double Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 495
Harry Raine Antiques
Bevan Funnell Reprodux Figured Mahogany Side Cabinet / Bedside Cabinet
£ 155
Bevan Funnell Reprodux Figured Mahogany Side Cabinet / Bedside Cabinet
£ 155
Harry Raine Antiques
Martlesham Antiques
19th Century Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2750
Windsor House Antiques
An Exceptional Mid Victorian Music Cabinet
£ 900
Kernow Furniture
Pair Mid Century Vanson Walnut Glazed Cabinets
£ 1595
Kernow Furniture
Antique Chinese Export Cabinet
£ 1095
Harry Raine Antiques
Titchmarsh Goodwin Yew Tree Four Door Breakfront Bookcase / Display Cabinet
£ 995
Titchmarsh Goodwin Yew Tree Four Door Breakfront Bookcase / Display Cabinet
£ 995
Harry Raine Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet By Hille
£ 2650
Millers Antiques
Neat Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 385
£ 700
Antique & Decorative
Continental Side Cabinet
£ 840
Kernow Furniture
Astragal Glazed Wall Hanging Cabinet
£ 185
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Bibliotheque Display Cupboard
£ 595
Kernow Furniture
Nils Johnson For Troed Side Cabinets
£ 339967
Treehouse Antiques
Rustic Antique Pine Bookcase
£ 475
Mabel Rose Interiors
Victorian Burr Walnut Pier Cabinet
£ 645
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Wall Hanging Display Cabinet
£ 270
Penderyn Antiques
Pair of Antique Lacquered Oriental Side Cupboards
£ 895
Philip Hunt Antiques
Sheraton Revival Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2295
Prior & Willis Antiques
Inlaid Walnut & Marble Console Cupboard Bedside Table Chest
£ 795
Prior & Willis Antiques
Inlaid Mahogany Bedside Table Chest Cupboard c.1910
£ 695
Philip Hunt Antiques
Good Victorian Burr Walnut Side Cabinet
£ 1095
C.S.Moreton (Antiques)
Fine Dutch Mahogany Hanging China Cabinet
£ 425
Hastings Antiques Warehouse
19th Century French Boulle Marquetry Pier Cabinet with Granite Top
£ 1750
19th Century French Boulle Marquetry Pier Cabinet with Granite Top
£ 1750
Hastings Antiques Warehouse
Pappilon
Exceptional Large Scale Early 19th Century Glazed Bibliothèque Cabinet Painted White Bookcase
£ 15000
Exceptional Large Scale Early 19th Century Glazed Bibliothèque Cabinet Painted White Bookcase
£ 15000
Pappilon
Stalham Antique Gallery
Pair of Wonderfully Carved Oak Side Cabinets
£ 425
Pear Tree Antiques
19th Century Ebonised & Boulle Pier Cabinet
£ 1650
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Birds Eye Maple Bedside Cabinet
£ 135
Rettendon Antiques
French Style Display Cabinet
£ 485
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Side Cabinet
£ 750
LT Antiques
Danish Oval Walnut Pedestal Cabinet
£ 2650
Rettendon Antiques
French Style Bow Fronted Corner Cabinet
£ 475
Camden Antiques
Pair of 19th Century Kingwood Pier Cabinets
£ 8950
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Walnut Specimen Collectors Cabinet
£ 295
C.S.Moreton (Antiques)
Dutch Marquetry Hanging Display Cabinet
£ 695
The Antique Shop
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Wall Cabinet
£ 225
The Antique Shop
Antique Oak Sideboard Dresser Top
£ 145
Windsor House Antiques
A Good Quality Edwardian Mahogany Music Cabinet
£ 525
Marylebone Antiques
1960's Pair of Vintage Walnut Bedside Cabinets by Uniflex
£ 645
£ 545
Vintage Lockable Glazed Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves
£ 545
Vintage House
Vintage & Antique Cabinets FAQs
What's the history of Antique Cabinets?
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.
How do I know if my cabinets are antique?
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.
How do I identify the period of my vintage cabinets?
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.
How much can antique cabinets sell 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.