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.
Old Painted Furniture
Mid 19th Century Painted Mahogany Two Part Cabinet
£ 425
Daniel Clark Furniture
Victorian Pine Kitchen Cabinet
£ 1,250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Display Cabinet in Mahogany
£ 1,225
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 285
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Gillows Design Mahogany Pier Cabinet
£ 2,950
£ 950
Church Street Antiques
19thc French Empire Marquetry Kingwood Bedside Cabinet
£ 980
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Oak Corner Cupboard
£ 895
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
London City Antiques
The Antique Shop
Antique Late 19th Century Rosewood Inlaid Corner Cabinet
£ 875
Billy Hunt
Modernist Oak 3 Drawer Tallboy Cabinet
£ 435
London City Antiques
Antique Quality Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Corner Cabinet
£ 1,395
Tom Scott Antiques
Ebonised & Inlaid Breakfront Glazed Bookcase
£ 1,450
Planet Antiques
Tallboy Great Gin Cabinet
£ 259
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,400
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Vintage Gentlemans Pipe Smokers Cabinet
£ 295
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Mahogany Glazed Wall Cupboard
£ 295
London City Antiques
Large Quality Satinwood Astral Glazed Breakfront Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,685
Large Quality Satinwood Astral Glazed Breakfront Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,685
London City Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Antique French Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet Marble Top
£ 1,075
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Victorian Mahogany Pot Cupboard with Marble Top
£ 275
Marylebone Antiques
French Inlaid Walnut Cabinet
£ 975
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Victorian Walnut Table Cabinet
£ 395
Georgian Antiques
Victorian Grocers Shop Biscuit Cabinet
£ 850
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 975
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Bookcase
£ 750
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany & Painted Decorated Bow Fronted Corner Display Cabinet
£ 1,885
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany & Painted Decorated Bow Fronted Corner Display Cabinet
£ 1,885
London City Antiques
£ 399
Kernow Furniture
Rosewood & Limestone Chiffonier
£ 395
£ 385
£ 485
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian French Display Cabinet
£ 1,385
LT Antiques
Rare Georgian Fitted Side Cabinet
£ 975
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Desk Cabinet
£ 2,250
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Desk Cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
The Old Pine Shop
Old Waxed Pine Glazed Display Cabinet
£ 799
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
Antique Victorian Quality Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Vintage House
Bohemian Green Painted Cabinet with Drawer
£ 245
LT Antiques
Rare Georgian Mahogany Chest
£ 825
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
£ 1,560
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
£ 135
Harmony Antiques
French Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 295
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.