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.
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century Mahogany Astral Glazed Low Bookcase
£ 695
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
Hingstons Antiques
Pair of Edwardian Inlaid Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,275
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Birds Eye Maple Bedside Cabinets
£ 750
Harmony Antiques
French Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 325
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Great Antique Pine Glazed 1 Door Kitchen /bathroom Cabinet to wax / paint
£ 625
Great Antique Pine Glazed 1 Door Kitchen /bathroom Cabinet to wax / paint
£ 625
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Figured Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,250
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Great Pine Glazed 1 Door Kitchen /bathroom Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 595
A Great Pine Glazed 1 Door Kitchen /bathroom Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 595
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Antique Furniture Direct
Tall Carved Oak Pedestal Cabinet
£ 250
Antique Furniture Direct
A Victorian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 195
Antique Furniture Direct
Large Victorian Walnut Hanging Wall Shelf Jas Shoolbred
£ 250
Antique Furniture Direct
Victorian Walnut Wall Cabinet Urquhart & Adamson Liverpool
£ 295
£ 549
18th Century Georgian Mahogany Inlaid Bow Front Corner Cabinet Wall Mounted
£ 549
Leeds Antiques
Leeds Antiques
Solid Oak Sliding Panel Door Cabinet c.1930
£ 449
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Victorian Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 795
A Victorian Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 795
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Georgian Antiques
Victorian-style, Mahogany Chest of Apothecary Drawers Handmade from Reclaimed Antique Wood
£ 890
Victorian-style, Mahogany Chest of Apothecary Drawers Handmade from Reclaimed Antique Wood
£ 890
Georgian Antiques
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Shop Flip Haberdashery Cabinet
£ 2,400
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Swedish Inlaid Marquetry Cabinet by Erik Mattsson
£ 4,950
D and A Binder LTD
Victorian Double Bowed Display Cabinet
£ 2,400
£ 1,850
Sunnyside Antiques
Vintage Bookcase on Chest
£ 1,100
£ 435
£ 375
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Superb Pair Mahogany Bedside Lamp Tables
£ 1,295
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Top Quality Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,295
House of Clarnold
19th Century Marbled Top Nightstand
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Walnut Tallboy Chest / Cabinet
£ 850
Millers Antiques
18th Century Georgian Bureau Bookcase
£ 1,950
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 625
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century 6 Tier Stacking Barristers Bookcase
£ 1,250
Athey Antiques
Mahogany Cylinder Cabinet
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Art And Crafts Bookcase In Golden Oak
£ 395
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Pair of English Oak Small Cabinets Made From Hmy Osbourne
£ 395
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Freestanding Art Deco Steel & Leather Glazed Display Cabinet
£ 7,250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Marble Top Pot Cupboard In Mahogany
£ 325
Worboys Antiques
Pair Of French Light Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 550
House of Clarnold
Marbled Top Night Stand
£ 495
Rams Head Antiques
Antique French Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 295
Antiques & Chic
Antique Walnut Bookcase
£ 745
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Deep Victorian Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 825
A Deep Victorian Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 825
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
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.