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.
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Mahogany Leather Wing Chair
£ 895
London City Antiques
Antique Regency Quality Figured Mahogany Bow Fronted Chest of 5 Drawers
£ 1,785
Antique Regency Quality Figured Mahogany Bow Fronted Chest of 5 Drawers
£ 1,785
London City Antiques
Church Street Antiques
Early Victorian Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk
£ 4,800
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Triple Art Nouveau Antique Pine Large Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,150
A Triple Art Nouveau Antique Pine Large Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,150
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Worboys Antiques
Oak Art Deco Style Glazed Bookcase
£ 275
London City Antiques
Superb Quality 8 Seater Antique Victorian Figured Mahogany Extending Dining Table
£ 2,350
Superb Quality 8 Seater Antique Victorian Figured Mahogany Extending Dining Table
£ 2,350
London City Antiques
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Chest Of Drawers
£ 395
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Plain Victorian Shelved Antique Pine Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
A Plain Victorian Shelved Antique Pine Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
London City Antiques
Fantastic Quality Large Pair Of Antique Victorian Smokers Bow Armchairs
£ 1,985
Fantastic Quality Large Pair Of Antique Victorian Smokers Bow Armchairs
£ 1,985
London City Antiques
Worboys Antiques
Small Walnut Cabinet Bookcase
£ 225
Graham Deakin Antiques
Antique Chestnut Bobbin Table
£ 195
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Oak Vestment Cupboard
£ 1,250
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Georgian Low & Wide Shelved Antique Pine Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,250
A Georgian Low & Wide Shelved Antique Pine Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,250
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Worboys Antiques
Long Oak Framed Cane Footstool
£ 195
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian 6 Seater Quality Figured Mahogany Oval Shaped Dining Table
£ 2,250
Antique Victorian 6 Seater Quality Figured Mahogany Oval Shaped Dining Table
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
The Old Pine Shop
Shallow Old Georgian Pine Cupboard-linen/ Larder/ Food
£ 639
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Burr Walnut Coffee Table
£ 1,450
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Victorian Antique/old Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 445
A Victorian Antique/old Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 445
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Cuban Mahogany Oval Breakfast Table
£ 1,600
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Oak Monks Bench
£ 575
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Victorian Shelved Antique Pine 2 Door Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
A Victorian Shelved Antique Pine 2 Door Linen Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Tack Room Whip Stand
£ 650
Richie Perrott Antiques
A Victorian Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 495
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Superb Victorian Arched Antique/old Pine 2door Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
A Superb Victorian Arched Antique/old Pine 2door Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,050
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Georgian Combination Antique/old Pine 2 Door Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,150
A Georgian Combination Antique/old Pine 2 Door Knockdown Wardrobe to Wax/paint
£ 1,150
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Solid Mahogany Side Table
£ 420
Church Street Antiques
Mahogany Edwardian Mirrored Dressing Table
£ 1,350
Richie Perrott Antiques
A Large 19th Century French Provincial Oak Chest of Drawers
£ 1,200
Church Street Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Torchere Plant/bust Stand
£ 240
Richie Perrott Antiques
An Early 20th Walnut Display Bookcase
£ 695
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Rustic Oak and Pitch Pine Coffee Table Circa 1910
£ 525
Richie Perrott Antiques
Large Early 20th Century Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
£ 995
Church Street Antiques
George III Mahogany Tilt Top Tripod Table
£ 1,250
The Old Pine Shop
Unusual Old Victorian Pine Cupboard / Dresser Base Sideboard
£ 539
Millers Antiques
Mid 19th Century Hoop Back Windsor Armchair
£ 750
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Leather Art Deco Armchairs
£ 2,200
Antiques-Interiors
Georgian Style Mahogany Armchair (Ref H-123)
£ 145
Antiques-Interiors
Mahogany Pedestal Desk (Ref H-120)
£ 485
Antiques-Interiors
Pair of Fischel Bentwood Chairs (Ref H-124)
£ 110
Antiques-Interiors
Set of Eight Mahogany Dining Chairs Ref H-114
£ 245
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.