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.
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
£ 3,500
Oakfield Gallery
Victorian Burr Walnut Card Table c.1860
£ 695
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Art Deco Walnut & Ebonised Bedside Cabinets
£ 360
Penderyn Antiques
Set of Ten Antique Ash & Elm Wheel Back Dining Chairs
£ 1,650
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Farmhouse Table in Cherrywood
£ 1,575
Stalham Antique Gallery
Very Unsual Early 19th Century Mahogany Dressing Table
£ 750
Penderyn Antiques
Set of Six 19th Century Carved Oak Dining Chairs
£ 1,250
Hawkins Antiques
Fine Quality French Vitrine Cabinet by Francois Linke
£ 9,900
Millers Antiques
Pair of Regency Birds Eye Maple Chairs
£ 475
Tony Youll Antiques
Satin Birch Commode or Chest
£ 1,250
Stalham Antique Gallery
Very Sturdy & Well Made Tripod Table
£ 375
London City Antiques
Antique 17th Century Large Welsh Quality Oak Deuddarn Cupboard
£ 4,250
Elmgarden
Carved Oak Key Cupboard
£ 800
Stalham Antique Gallery
Half Round Fold-over Card Table in Beautiful Satinwood
£ 1,100
London City Antiques
Quality Victorian Antique Carved Mahogany Dressing Table
£ 1,885
£ 875
Prior & Willis Antiques
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Linen Press Wardrobe
£ 2,995
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Linen Press Wardrobe
£ 2,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Set of 4 Antique William IV Carved Rosewood Dining Chairs
£ 1,995
Fine Quality Set of 4 Antique William IV Carved Rosewood Dining Chairs
£ 1,995
London City Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Oak Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 995
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Oak Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 995
Prior & Willis Antiques
Merchant House Antiques
Pair of Oak Bedside
£ 495
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Large Antique George III Mahogany Bureau
£ 2,750
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Mirror Back Credenza
£ 5,750
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Mirror Back Credenza
£ 5,750
London City Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
19th Century Mahogany Writing Table - Antique, Fine Quality, Bobbin Turned, Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 1,695
19th Century Mahogany Writing Table - Antique, Fine Quality, Bobbin Turned, Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 1,695
Prior & Willis Antiques
Hingstons Antiques
George V Walnut Gentlemans Tallboy
£ 1,275
Stalham Antique Gallery
Small & Charming Antique Foot Stool in Ash
£ 75
Vintage World
Vintage French Sideboard
£ 699
London City Antiques
Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 2,950
Prior & Willis Antiques
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 1,495
Fine Quality Antique 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Bed
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Furniture Direct
Tall Oak Chest of Drawers with Printers Block Handles
£ 395
Stalham Antique Gallery
Mid Victorian Armchair of the Most Wonderful Colour
£ 325
Vintage World
Vintage French Sideboard
£ 799
London City Antiques
Antique Louis XV Quality French Rosewood Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Centre Table
£ 2,150
Antique Louis XV Quality French Rosewood Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Centre Table
£ 2,150
London City Antiques
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Victorian Oak Scroll Armchair
£ 250
Prior & Willis Antiques
19th Century Burr Walnut Demi-lune Console Table Fine Quality Antique Display Serving Whatnot
£ 1,995
19th Century Burr Walnut Demi-lune Console Table Fine Quality Antique Display Serving Whatnot
£ 1,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
artsncraftsfurniture
Arts & Crafts Set of Chairs
£ 800
LT Antiques
Regency Mahogany Sideboard
£ 1,150
Stalham Antique Gallery
Clean & Original Hoop Back Windsor Chair
£ 280
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
Antique Furniture Direct
Victorian Rise & Fall Rosewood Piano Stool by Charles Wadman Bath
£ 495
Victorian Rise & Fall Rosewood Piano Stool by Charles Wadman Bath
£ 495
Antique Furniture Direct
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.