Since a house is far more than a home, it requires furniture that is far more than just functional. It requires furniture with soul. Nothing does this better than antique and vintage furniture which combine quality with a warmth and personality only time can bring. These were pieces that were good enough for our ancestors to buy and use and love. And if it was good enough for them, then they probably deserve to join our family too. Furthermore an antique cabinet or antique table will add character to even the most uninspiring room.
So how should you really shop for antique furniture? Well, the simple answer is to have fun with it. Free from the conformity of current fashions you can acquire pieces just because you like them and because they inspire you. Buy an elegant Art Deco chest of drawers because it adds unashamed glamour to the room, buy a deep buttoned Victorian armchair because secretly inside you pretend you are Sherlock Holmes every time you sink down into it. Or simply place a 17th Century coffer at the end of the bed so that every time you wake up you can admire the warmth and wear those 300 years of loving handling brings.
At LoveAntiques we have an amazing and ever-changing selection of vintage and antique furniture for sale online from hundreds of Antique Dealers, catering for all your needs.
Joseph Riley Furniture
Art Deco Burr Walnut Chest of 7 Drawers
£ 675
Philip Hunt Antiques
Pair of Georgian Revival Mahogany Console Tables c.1880
£ 3,950
The Old Pine Shop
Beautiful Mid Victorian Old Pine Chest of 5 Drawers
£ 699
Philip Hunt Antiques
William IV Mahogany Extending Dining Table
£ 1,695
D and A Binder LTD
Black Victorian Disaply Cabinet
£ 4,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Regency Well-figured Mahogany Writing Table
£ 22,500
Philip Hunt Antiques
Pretty Satinwood Bedside Cabinet
£ 525
Bridport Antiques
Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 625
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Bow End Display Counter
£ 4,200
Wick Antiques Ltd
Regency Amboyna Centre Table - Attritubed to E H Baldock
£ 42,000
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Outstanding French Gilt Sofa
£ 1,950
Philip Hunt Antiques
Arts & Crafts Oak Occasional Table
£ 495
Wick Antiques Ltd
Antique Exhibition Quality Silver Fitted Dressing Table
£ 26,500
Treehouse Antiques
Set of Four Antique Gothic Chairs
£ 695
Wick Antiques Ltd
Walnut Table with Ashford Marble Top by Tudsbury of Edwinstowe
£ 58,500
Bridport Antiques
Miniature Chest of Drawers
£ 128
D and A Binder LTD
Solid Oak Filing Cabinet
£ 1,140
Penderyn Antiques
Victorian Ebonised Glass Display Cabinet
£ 595
Wick Antiques Ltd
Antique French Side Table
£ 1,650
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Revival Mahogany Wine Table c.1930
£ 265
Alain Michel Antiques
Charles I Joined Oak Armchair - Early 17th Century
€ 4,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Pair of William IV Satinwood Bedside or Deception Tables
£ 12,800
Hawkins Antiques
George I Style Walnut Bureau Bookcase c.1930
£ 1,450
Wick Antiques Ltd
Stylish Polished Amboyna Coffee Table
£ 2,850
Penderyn Antiques
Victorian Antique Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 695
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Unusual Figured Walnut Sewing Table
£ 680
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Serpentine Shaped Card / Console Table
£ 1,885
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Serpentine Shaped Card / Console Table
£ 1,885
London City Antiques
Wick Antiques Ltd
Stylish Polished Coffee Table
£ 3,250
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Pine Kitchen Table
£ 695
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Set of 6 Victorian Rosewood Dining Chairs
£ 1,175
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Mahogany Partners Writing Table / Desk
£ 2,975
Rettendon Antiques
1930s Walnut Side / Hall Table
£ 525
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Mahogany Bow Fronted Chest of Drawers c.1860
£ 875
London City Antiques
Antique Regency 8 Seater Quality Figured Mahogany Extending Dining Table
£ 3,495
Antique Regency 8 Seater Quality Figured Mahogany Extending Dining Table
£ 3,495
London City Antiques
Alain Michel Antiques
18th Century English Armchair in Oak
€ 850
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Cute Small Antique Pine Hall Cupboard to wax / paint
£ 395
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Figured Mahogany Circular Centre Table
£ 1,885
Large Antique Victorian Quality Figured Mahogany Circular Centre Table
£ 1,885
London City Antiques
Salisbury Antiques Centre
George II Cuban Mahogany Concertina Action Card Table
£ 2,850
Wick Antiques Ltd
Victorian Satinwood Bureau Plat
£ 12,850
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19th Century Teak & Brass Mounted Campaign Table
£ 795
How do I identify antique furniture?
Although most antique furniture is found without labels or dates, genuine antique pieces can usually be identified from a combination of the materials used, the style of the piece as well as the natural wear on the finish or Patina. Patina is something that can only occur naturally over time and is very hard to fake via man-made effects such as staining, sanding and painting. The skill is looking at lots of tiny details which convince you the item is a genuine antique. Much of this skill and knowledge can be built up over time just by observing real pieces and learning from those around you. It is also a good reason to buy from reputable antique dealers such as those on LoveAntiques who can give you the piece of mind that the item is what you say it is as well as offer valuable advice.
How to value antique furniture?
Like any collectable field antique furniture can range in value between nearly worthless to virtually priceless. In the past price guide reference books were a good starting point for valuing different items, but today such books have become nearly obsolete with the power of the internet at our fingertips. In most cases the internet will be the first place to research your item but don’t forget that the values you find can vary dramatically depending on the condition, who is selling them, where the item is located and more. While there are certain furniture items which are less or more fashionable today than in the past, desirability and value really comes down to individual taste and the room it is going into. You can ask your local auction house or antique dealer for a valuation but in both cases the value they give should be considered an estimate only. There are specialist online valuation services which will provide valuations for a fee but again check their location as values can vary dramatically between countries and continents.
Is Mahogany furniture valuable?
The simple answer is Mahogany furniture can be very valuable. It has always been a scarce and prized timber so is usually a sign that the antique item was expensive and well made at the time, sometimes by the very best makers and designers. Mahogany was first imported from the West Indies at the start of the 18th Century and continued to be popular up to the beginning of the 20th Century. It not only has an appealing red tone and grain but is strong and crisp to carve. However, Mahogany has also always been scarce, so almost from the start was also being used as a veneer as well as solid timber. Today antique mahogany is slightly less fashionable overall compared to other timbers (such as Oak) so can be purchased for less than in the past making them great value. In truth if you like the item or it suits the room, then that item is valuable to you either way.
What date is Georgian and Victorian Furniture?
The Georgian era in England (1714-1837) began with King George I in 1714 and ended with the death of George IV in 1830. However, for simplicity most people also include the subsequent reign of William IV from 1830-37 into the Georgian period. The Victorian era (1837-1901) began when Queen Victoria took to the throne in 1837 and until her death in 1901. When describing antique furniture people sometimes use the terms Georgian and Victorian somewhat loosely to also describe items created in the styles popular during those times.
What is vintage Furniture?
The phrase ‘Vintage Furniture’ is commonly used to describe a whole group of furniture that is not yet old enough to be antique. Many people and sales platforms deem that vintage items must be a minimum of 20 years old to be called Vintage and that they finally become Antique when they are at least 100 years old. In principle this is a pretty clear definition, but it is important to recognise that these are only guide-lines and some will use ‘Vintage’ to refer to even newer items in an older style.