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.
Trade Antiques
Filing Cabinet 3 Drawer Solid Country Oak 1920s
£ 885
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Glazed 2 Door 1920s Glazed Display Cabinet
£ 540
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Mahogany Music Cabinet / Chest Drawers
£ 350
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of French Art Deco Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,750
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Mahogany Small Floor Standing Display Cabinet 1800s
£ 150
Barnaby's of Battle
Mid Century 8 Door School Lockers Cupboard
£ 550
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Pine Cupboard Base with Sliding Doors
£ 325
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Late Victorian 4 Drawer Walnut Bedside Lockers
£ 1,190
Wick Antiques Ltd
Decorative Regency 19th Century English Side Cabinet with Orientalist Lacquered Panels
£ 4,400
Decorative Regency 19th Century English Side Cabinet with Orientalist Lacquered Panels
£ 4,400
Wick Antiques Ltd
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Fine Chinoiserie Two Door Cabinet
£ 1,495
Georgian Antiques
George III Bow Fronted Bedside Commode
£ 850
LT Antiques
Pair of Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 875
Wick Antiques Ltd
Pair of French 19th Century Side Cabinets / Cupboard Commodes Veneered in Tulipwood & Kingwood with Marquetry Panels of Herons
£ 26,500
Pair of French 19th Century Side Cabinets / Cupboard Commodes Veneered in Tulipwood & Kingwood with Marquetry Panels of Herons
£ 26,500
Wick Antiques Ltd
House of Clarnold
Queen Anne Style Walnut Cabinet
£ 1,195
Elmgarden Antiques
Teak Oriental Style Cupboards or Night Tables
£ 775
Rawlings Antiques
Small Edwardian Display Cabinet
£ 395
D and A Binder LTD
Clark’s “Anchor” Stranded Cotton Display Cabinet
£ 450
The Vintage Interiors
Carved French Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 895
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of French Satinwood Bedside Cabinets
£ 595
The Vintage Interiors
Pair of Bleached Oak French Bedside Cabinets
£ 425
D and A Binder LTD
Antique Brass Bound Oak Jeweller’s / Watchmaker’s Cabinet
£ 470
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super French Two Door Cupboard
£ 1,295
Hawkins Antiques
Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet with Carved Cabriole Legs c.1930
£ 1,650
Timeless Furniture UK
Georgian Mahogany Cabinet – Chest Over Cupboard (Two-Part Construction)
£ 375
Georgian Mahogany Cabinet – Chest Over Cupboard (Two-Part Construction)
£ 375
Timeless Furniture UK
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 285
Church Street Antiques
Pair of Early 19thc Mahogany Nightstands Stamped Gillows
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century Hand Painted Swedish Folk Art Cupboard
£ 4,595
Martlesham Antiques
Pair of Early 20th Century Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,850
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Matched Pair of George III Mahogany Bedside Cupboards
£ 2,900
£ 269
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Cabinet in Mahogany
£ 425
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Display Cabinet In Oak
£ 685
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century French Pair Of Marble Top Cabinets
£ 4,950
£ 375
Vintage Dutch Dresser Display Kitchen Dresser Bookcase with Lots of Storage
£ 375
Fedw Hir Antiques
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Unique Display Cabinet In Oak
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Corner Cabinet In Oak
£ 495
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Inlaid Mahogany Bedside Tables
£ 450
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Fine Quality Cabinet in Golden Oak
£ 425
£ 975
Early Georgian Style Burr & Figured Walnut Two-part Corner Cabinet c.1900
£ 975
Georgian Antiques
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Inlaid Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 495
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.