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.
Camden Antiques
Arts and Crafts Display Cabinet by Shapland and Petter
£ 3,950
London City Antiques
Quality Antique Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut Music Cabinet
£ 1,675
Holmes Antiques
17th Century Walnut Cabinet on Stand
£ 8,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet
£ 1,150
£ 995
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 495
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Figured Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 450
MebleinUK
Vintage Old Charm Oak Corner Cabinet / Internal Lighting / Light Oak Finish / Made in England C1970
£ 359.99
Vintage Old Charm Oak Corner Cabinet / Internal Lighting / Light Oak Finish / Made in England C1970
£ 359.99
MebleinUK
Millers Antiques
1920s Oak Bedside Cabinet
£ 220
Tom Scott Antiques
19th Century Decorated Satinwood Demi Lune Cabinet
£ 2,850
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Inlaid Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 850
£ 750
FB Antiques
19th Century French Serpentine Vitrine
£ 895
Antiques & Chic
Extremely Stylish Pair of Victorian Bedside Drawers
£ 2,295
LT Antiques
Large 18th Century Cherry Wood Cabinet
£ 995
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Figured Walnut Floral Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 850
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Figured Walnut Floral Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 850
London City Antiques
£ 2,995
Rawlings Antiques
Georgian Mahogany Night Stand Bedside Cabinet
£ 295
Harry Raine Antiques
Oak Drinks Cabinet - Oak Cocktail Cabinet - Tudor Oak
£ 650
William Rand Antiques
Art Deco Chrome Bedside Table Lamp & Alarm Clock
£ 245
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Magnificent Chippendale Mahogany Library Bookcase
£ 3,995
The Vintage Interiors
French Emperor Bed And Matching Bedside Cabinets
£ 4,950
Athey Antiques
17th Century Olive Wood Oyster Veneer Cabinet on Stand
£ 3,950
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Burr Walnut Side Cabinet on a Carved Base Circa 1920
£ 695
Rawlings Antiques
Victorian Pair of Walnut Bedside Chests of Drawers
£ 1,295
Trade Antiques
Walnut and Gilded Bookcase Angels 1880
£ 985
£ 2,950
Church Street Antiques
Pair of Continental Ebonised & Inlaid Pier Cabinets
£ 7,650
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Bookcase
£ 1,250
£ 1,495
Antique Pier Cabinet, English Walnut, Glazed Bookcase, Display Cupboard, Regency
£ 1,495
London Fine Ltd
London City Antiques
Antique 18th Century Quality Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Burr Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 10,850
Antique 18th Century Quality Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Burr Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 10,850
London City Antiques
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Fantastic Quality Antique Edwardian Carved Oak Smokers Cabinet
£ 595
Fantastic Quality Antique Edwardian Carved Oak Smokers Cabinet
£ 595
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Worboys Antiques
Early 19th Century Narrow Mahogany Cabinet
£ 450
Worboys Antiques
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Bijouterie Table
£ 750
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Edwardian Mahogany & Satinwood Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 600
Edwardian Mahogany & Satinwood Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 600
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Mahogany Filing Cabinet
£ 320
FB Antiques
Carved Oak Front and Back Bar
£ 7,500
£ 1,250
£ 650
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Music Cabinet
£ 395
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.