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.
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique George III Mahogany Demi Lune Shaped Console Tables
£ 1,885
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique George III Mahogany Demi Lune Shaped Console Tables
£ 1,885
London City Antiques
£ 3,950
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Large Antique George III Mahogany Bureau
£ 2,750
Campbell Vintage
Wine Table with Marquetry Inlay & Flame Walnut
£ 565
Harry Raine Antiques
19th Century French Provincial Oak Armoire
£ 650
Hingstons Antiques
Victorian Walnut Oval Drinks Cabinet
£ 1,375
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Carved Mahogany Library Chair
£ 1,685
Thakeham Furniture ltd
Beautiful George II Walnut Chest on Stand
£ 4,200
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Painted Oak Bowfront Chest of Drawers
£ 2,895
£ 4,750
London City Antiques
Antique 10 Seater George III Quality Figured Mahogany Dining Table
£ 3,350
Antique 10 Seater George III Quality Figured Mahogany Dining Table
£ 3,350
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Antique George I Quality Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 2,650
JMR Antiques Ltd
19th Century Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
£ 1,295
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
French Painted Two Seat Sofa
£ 995
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 2,250
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
1970s Vintage Italian Brass Coffee Table
£ 845
Reepham Antiques
George II Mahogany Wing Chair
£ 4,900
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Oak Hall Chairs
£ 1,085
Superb Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Oak Hall Chairs
£ 1,085
London City Antiques
Harry Raine Antiques
Titchmarsh Goodwin Oak Miniature Dresser / Sideboard
£ 425
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Pair of French Round Parquetry Bedside Lamp Tables
£ 1,295
Marylebone Antiques
1960s Danish Vintage Rosewood Dining Table by Ib Kofod Larsen
£ 1,850
Harry Raine Antiques
Victorian Figured Mahogany Two Door Wardrobe
£ 675
Georgian Antiques
Exhibition Quality Burr Walnut Teapoy
£ 1,850
Marylebone Antiques
Mahogany Bow Front Console Table
£ 450
Penderyn Antiques
Edwardian Antique Open Bookcase
£ 495
Penderyn Antiques
Victorian Antique Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 650
Georgian Antiques
Exhibition Quality Walnut & Marquetry Library Table
£ 5,750
£ 2,450
Antique Orangery Console Table, English, Walnut, Reception Hall, Side, Victorian
£ 2,450
London Fine Ltd
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Gothic Revival Pine Pedestal Desk
£ 695
Joseph Riley Furniture
Quality Antique Golden Oak Corner Bookcase
£ 2,245
Victoria Antiques
Pair of French Walnut Armchairs Ready for Restoration
£ 295
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Mahogany Slipper Leather Rocking Chair
£ 895
Millers Antiques
Small Georgian Tallboy Chest of Drawers
£ 1,150
Victoria Antiques
Good 20th Century Pine Folding Trestle Table
£ 180
Joseph Riley Furniture
Titchmarsh & Goodwin Oak Wine Cabinet with Slides
£ 475
£ 325
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Breakfront Library Bookcase
£ 3,750
Millers Antiques
Set of 8 Georgian Style Dining Chairs
£ 1,250
Victoria Antiques
Ample Pair of French Armchairs in Original Condition
£ 480
Joseph Riley Furniture
Titchmarsh & Goodwin Solid Oak Dresser
£ 375
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.