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.
Worboys Antiques
Dark Oak Side Cabinet
£ 375
Antique & Decorative
Pair Victorian Bedside Chests
£ 1,220
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Sideboard by Hille
£ 2,750
Elmgarden Antiques
A Good Example of an Early Apothecary Cabinet
£ 950
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Double Corner Cupboard With Glazed Top
£ 375
Marylebone Antiques
Danish Vintage Rosewood Wall Mounting Cabinet by Preben Sorensen
£ 1,250
Danish Vintage Rosewood Wall Mounting Cabinet by Preben Sorensen
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Elmgarden Antiques
Old Charm Country House Oak Dry Bar / Greeter
£ 1,550
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pretty Antique Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Music Cabinet
£ 1,385
Antiques-Interiors
Victorian Burr Walnut Pier Cabinet Ref H-210
£ 795
£ 279.99
£ 199.99
Rawlings Antiques
Regency Lamp Table
£ 445
Worboys Antiques
French Oak Single Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 495
Rams Head Antiques
Rare 18th Century French Kingwood & Marble Side Cabinet
£ 895
Fedw Hir Antiques
Antique Oak Bookcase With Glazed Doors And Adjustable Shelves
£ 400
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Fantastic Quality 19th Century Marble Topped Pier Cabinet
£ 2,185
Fantastic Quality 19th Century Marble Topped Pier Cabinet
£ 2,185
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Japanese Elm Pine Tansu Cabinet Sliding Doors Drawers
£ 350
£ 499
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Matched Pair French Kingwood Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinets Marble Tops Ormolu c.1880
£ 6,000
Antique Matched Pair French Kingwood Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinets Marble Tops Ormolu c.1880
£ 6,000
Hawkins Antiques
Hawkins Antiques
Antique French Vernis Martin Secretaire Cabinet with Marble Top & Secret Drawer - c.1890
£ 1,500
Antique French Vernis Martin Secretaire Cabinet with Marble Top & Secret Drawer - c.1890
£ 1,500
Hawkins Antiques
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Flamed Mahogany Side Cabinet with Painted Panels
£ 1,600
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
High Quality French 2 Door Cabinet
£ 1,650
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Distressed Blue Painted Cabinet Mirror – Early 20th Century Cupboard / Shelving c.1900
£ 556.50
Antique Distressed Blue Painted Cabinet Mirror – Early 20th Century Cupboard / Shelving c.1900
£ 556.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Furniture Direct
Small Antique Mahogany Table Top Cabinet
£ 395
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Tall Narrow Art Deco Bedside Pedestals
£ 700
Old Mill Antiques
French Empire-style Walnut Bedside Cabinet with Marble Top
£ 265
Alain Michel Antiques
Large Sonno Bedside Table in Flamed Mahogany from the Empire Period Early 19 Century
€ 1,100
Large Sonno Bedside Table in Flamed Mahogany from the Empire Period Early 19 Century
€ 1,100
Alain Michel Antiques
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Burr Walnut Bedside Tables Bedside Cabinets
£ 495
Founders Antiques
Antique Late Victorian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet c.1890
£ 365
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet by Epstein
£ 3,750
Marylebone Antiques
French Burr Walnut Marble Top Cabinet
£ 1,450
£ 735
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Satinwood Display Cabinet
£ 3,350
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Satinwood Display Cabinet
£ 3,350
London City Antiques
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of French Bedside Cabinets with Brass Detailing
£ 1,895
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of Bleached Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 895
£ 1,900
Fine Quality French Vernis Martin Bombe Cabinet with Ormolu Mounts c.1900
£ 1,900
Hawkins Antiques
£ 1,650
Impressive Continental Giltwood Display Cabinet with Glazed Sides c.1900
£ 1,650
Hawkins Antiques
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Bow Front Cabinet in Mahogany
£ 495
£ 1,950
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Marble Top Mahogany Cylinder Pedestal Cabinet
£ 950
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.