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.
Vintage World
Amazing Vintage French Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 299
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Fine Pair of Mahogany Bedside Cupboards c.1860
£ 1,650
Georgian Antiques
Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet
£ 3,750
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Superbly Waxed Pair of Panelled Victorian Antique Pine Bedside Cabinets
£ 495
Superbly Waxed Pair of Panelled Victorian Antique Pine Bedside Cabinets
£ 495
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Worboys Antiques
French Oak Triple Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 950
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Art Deco Walnut & Ebonised Bedside Cabinets
£ 360
Hawkins Antiques
Fine Quality French Vitrine Cabinet by Francois Linke
£ 9,900
Vintage World
Amazing Vintage French Cabinet
£ 399
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Ormolu Mounted Bookcase Cabinet
£ 7,850
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Ormolu Mounted Bookcase Cabinet
£ 7,850
London City Antiques
£ 199
Daniel Clark Furniture
Pair of Art Deco Bedside Cupboards
£ 950
Vintage World
Vintage French Burr Bookcase / Cabinet
£ 999
Daniel Clark Furniture
Pair of Blue Painted French Bedside Cabinets
£ 450
Prior & Willis Antiques
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Pier Display Cabinet - Edwards & Roberts Mahogany
£ 2,995
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Pier Display Cabinet - Edwards & Roberts Mahogany
£ 2,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 240
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Golden Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 350
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet
£ 2,250
Hawkins Antiques
Stunning Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinet
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
Exhibition Quality Antique Louis XV French Kingwood Floral Marquetry Ormolu Mounted Side Cabinet
£ 24,500
Exhibition Quality Antique Louis XV French Kingwood Floral Marquetry Ormolu Mounted Side Cabinet
£ 24,500
London City Antiques
B Southgate
French Oak Notaire's Cabinet
£ 2,250
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
MebleinUK
Antique Edwardian Solid Mahogany Inlaid Glass Bookcase Cabinet / Made in England / Edwardian
£ 399.99
Antique Edwardian Solid Mahogany Inlaid Glass Bookcase Cabinet / Made in England / Edwardian
£ 399.99
MebleinUK
Kernow Furniture
Early 20th Century Indian Table Top Cabinet
£ 295
London City Antiques
Finest Quality 19th Century Victorian Antique Inlaid Walnut Corner Cabinet
£ 2,250
Finest Quality 19th Century Victorian Antique Inlaid Walnut Corner Cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Harry Raine Antiques
Antique Oak Filing Cabinet
£ 495
Harry Raine Antiques
Figured Mahogany Chippendale Style Cocktail Cabinet / Drinks Cabinet
£ 350
Figured Mahogany Chippendale Style Cocktail Cabinet / Drinks Cabinet
£ 350
Harry Raine Antiques
Vintage World
Amazing Vintage French Louis XIV Style Cabinet
£ 399
Vintage World
French Antique Marble Topped Cabinet / Sideboard
£ 399
Vintage House
1930s Minty of Oxford Sectional Bookcase
£ 1,200
Vintage House
Antique French Pine Bedside Cabinet
£ 245
Vintage World
Amazing Vintage French Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 299
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
An Unusual Pair of Art Deco Style Bedside/side Tables
£ 1,395
An Unusual Pair of Art Deco Style Bedside/side Tables
£ 1,395
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
£ 499
Planet Antiques
Glazed Edwardian Bookcase
£ 345
Vintage World
Amazing French Bedside Table Cupboard Cabinet
£ 99
Planet Antiques
Beautiful Art Deco Period Cabinet
£ 349
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Edwardian Filing Cabinet Containing 12 Original Files and Locking Drawer
£ 365
Edwardian Filing Cabinet Containing 12 Original Files and Locking Drawer
£ 365
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,250
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Side Cabinet
£ 1,885
£ 165
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.