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.
Kernow Furniture
Small Victorian Rosewood Chiffonier
£ 385
£ 1,495
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Good Pair of French Painted Bedside Cabinets
£ 795
Wickersley Antiques
Victorian Library Bookcase in Walnut c.1890
£ 695
Tom Scott Antiques
19th Century Ebonised Inlaid Bookcase
£ 695
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique French Marble Top Bedside Cupboard
£ 175
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Mid Century Scandinavian Oak Filing Cabinet
£ 1,395
Robert Belcher Antiques
18th Century Painted Glazed Cabinet c.1790
£ 1,250
Victoria Antiques
Music Inlaid Cabinet
£ 395
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Figured Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 545
Camden Antiques
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 725
Harmony Antiques
French Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 325
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Outstanding Pair of Regency Mahogany Cabinets
£ 1,895
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Oak Corner Cabinet
£ 495
London City Antiques
Large Antique 19th Century Victorian Carved Oak Side Cabinet
£ 1,685
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Dutch Oak Cabinet
£ 2,400
D and A Binder LTD
Gold Leafed Shop Display Cabinet
£ 3,000
£ 410
Georgian Antiques
Dutch Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet
£ 3,900
£ 875
Georgian Antiques
Victorian Kingwood Bombe Shaped Corner Vitrine
£ 8,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Edwardian Sheraton Revival Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,400
Edwardian Sheraton Revival Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,400
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Harry Raine Antiques
Walnut Queen Anne Style Cabinet on Stand
£ 625
Harry Raine Antiques
Late 19th Century French Mahogany & Satinwood Banded Vitrine Cabinet
£ 595
Late 19th Century French Mahogany & Satinwood Banded Vitrine Cabinet
£ 595
Harry Raine Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,500
Harry Raine Antiques
Queen Anne Mahogany Display Cabinet Manufactured by "Chechik"
£ 575
Harry Raine Antiques
Vernis Martin Style Vitrine Cabinet
£ 465
Beau French Boutique
Vintage French Large Single Tambour Fronted Filing Cabinet
£ 425
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 695
Tony Youll Antiques
Serpentine Fronted Display Cabinet
£ 1,950
Hawkins Antiques
Antique Chinoiserie Decorated Corner Cabinet / Cupboard
£ 1,800
£ 275
£ 695
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet
£ 3,400
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Gold Feather Art Deco Cocktail Cabinet
£ 595
Marylebone Antiques
Large Antique Lacquered Chinoiserie Cabinet
£ 1,850
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet
£ 2,450
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Cabinet
£ 1,250
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century Quality Campaign Bookcase Cabinet
£ 1,190
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Chinoiserie Display Cabinet
£ 440
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.