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.
Harper Baxter
Edwardian Walnut Glazed Bookcase
£ 1,750
LT Antiques
Pair of Walnut Nightstands
£ 1,650
Tony Youll Antiques
Superb Quality Bookcase by Durand of Paris
£ 2,950
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Bookcase
£ 975
Worboys Antiques
Pair Of French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 475
Harper Baxter
Oak Glazed Bookcase Edwardian Display Cabinet
£ 2,200
Harper Baxter
Georgian Tall Inlaid Oak Cupboard 18th Century
£ 2,200
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 395
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Oak Glazed Display Cabinet
£ 195
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 375
Rawlings Antiques
Walnut Marble Top Demi Lune Side Cabinet
£ 575
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,325
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Cabinet
£ 245
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Red Walnut Secretaire Bookcase
£ 425
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet by Hille
£ 3,750
Timeless Furniture UK
Reproduction Mahogany Two Door Upper Astral Glazed Book Case
£ 245
Timeless Furniture UK
George III Mahogany Corner Cupboard
£ 195
London City Antiques
Antique 18th Century Oak Hanging Corner Cabinet
£ 1,185
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Sideboard by Hille
£ 3,250
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Mahogany Astral Glazed Two-door Bookcase
£ 325
Harper Baxter
Georgian Corner Cabinet 18th Century
£ 950
Harper Baxter
Chinese Cabinet 19th Century Red Lacquer
£ 950
Worboys Antiques
Pair of French Oak Marble Top Bedside Cabinets
£ 795
Georgian Antiques
Quality 5-door Victorian Mahogany Cabinet Bookcase
£ 6,900
£ 1,350
Harper Baxter
Oak Lees Cabinet Glazed Carved
£ 1,600
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Bookcase
£ 1,375
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Elm & Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 545
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,150
Harper Baxter
Georgian Oak Corner Cabinet 18th Century
£ 2,950
Stalham Antique Gallery
Small & Attractive Victorian Side Cabinet
£ 825
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique French Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinets
£ 2,500
Pair of Antique French Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinets
£ 2,500
Marylebone Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Extra Large Georgian Revival Glazed Mahogany Adjustable Bookcase – High-quality Display Cabinet c.1900
£ 2,096
Antique Extra Large Georgian Revival Glazed Mahogany Adjustable Bookcase – High-quality Display Cabinet c.1900
£ 2,096
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Pair of Antique Carved Walnut Bedside Tables – Quality Vintage Cupboards Drawers
£ 1,396
Pair of Antique Carved Walnut Bedside Tables – Quality Vintage Cupboards Drawers
£ 1,396
Prior & Willis Antiques
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Oak Art Deco Lead Light Display Cabinet
£ 195
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Rare Victorian Oak Arts & Crafts Sentry Collectors Chest of Drawers c.1880
£ 325
Rare Victorian Oak Arts & Crafts Sentry Collectors Chest of Drawers c.1880
£ 325
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Tambour Cabinet in Oak
£ 440
£ 375
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Display Cabinet in Rosewood
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Good Quality Bookcase in Mahogany
£ 625
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.