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.
Prior & Willis Antiques
Art Nouveau Antique Oak Bookcase Display Cabinet - Quality C1910 Piece
£ 795
Art Nouveau Antique Oak Bookcase Display Cabinet - Quality C1910 Piece
£ 795
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Vintage Retro Large Quality Mixed Wood and Brass Hall Stand - Art Deco Style Coat/Hat Rack
£ 1,995
Vintage Retro Large Quality Mixed Wood and Brass Hall Stand - Art Deco Style Coat/Hat Rack
£ 1,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
£ 499
Vintage World
Amazing French Bedside Table Cupboard Cabinet
£ 99
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality C1800 Inlaid Mahogany Folding Card or Tea Table - Side Occasional Furniture
£ 1,495
Antique Fine Quality C1800 Inlaid Mahogany Folding Card or Tea Table - Side Occasional Furniture
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Mid-19th Century Mahogany Extending Dining Table - Large, Fine Quality (approx. 8'1")
£ 2,995
Antique Mid-19th Century Mahogany Extending Dining Table - Large, Fine Quality (approx. 8'1")
£ 2,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality C1800 Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing
£ 1,995
Antique Fine Quality C1800 Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing
£ 1,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
Hingstons Antiques
Victorian Rosewood Button Leather Library Chair
£ 1,875
£ 1,250
Planet Antiques
Beautiful Art Deco Period Cabinet
£ 349
Planet Antiques
Compact Bookcase c.1940
£ 199
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Edwardian Filing Cabinet Containing 12 Original Files and Locking Drawer
£ 365
Edwardian Filing Cabinet Containing 12 Original Files and Locking Drawer
£ 365
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Edwardian Walnut Small Sideboard 1910s
£ 325
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,250
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
A Pair of Art Deco Mahogany Framed Armchairs, White Boucle Upholstery 1920s
£ 795
A Pair of Art Deco Mahogany Framed Armchairs, White Boucle Upholstery 1920s
£ 795
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique c.1900 Inlaid Mahogany Adjustable Bookcase Display Cabinet - Fine Quality Piecec
£ 1,595
Antique c.1900 Inlaid Mahogany Adjustable Bookcase Display Cabinet - Fine Quality Piecec
£ 1,595
Prior & Willis Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Charming William IV Mahogany Armchair
£ 285
Prior & Willis Antiques
Vintage Retro Mahogany Luggage Stand - Quality Rack in Victorian Style
£ 795
Vintage Retro Mahogany Luggage Stand - Quality Rack in Victorian Style
£ 795
Prior & Willis Antiques
Middleton's Antiques
17th Century High Back Oak Panelled Settle
£ 1,550
Trade Antiques
Hall Cupboard 1750 Country Oak Plenty of Storage
£ 1,850
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Regency Rosewood Chiffonier
£ 1,100
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Victorian Walnut Mirror Backed Credenza / Sideboard
£ 1,495
Victorian Walnut Mirror Backed Credenza / Sideboard
£ 1,495
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality C1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Table
£ 1,495
Antique Fine Quality C1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing Table
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Art Nouveau Mahogany Bookcase - Quality Book Trough Magazine Stand C1920
£ 695
Antique Art Nouveau Mahogany Bookcase - Quality Book Trough Magazine Stand C1920
£ 695
Prior & Willis Antiques
Casnewydd Antiques
Antique Rustic Two Part Pine Dresser
£ 1,560
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Leather Kengu Chair & Stool by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rykken
£ 895
Vintage Leather Kengu Chair & Stool by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rykken
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Leather Kengu Chairs by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rykken
£ 1,100
Pair of Vintage Leather Kengu Chairs by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rykken
£ 1,100
Marylebone Antiques
£ 2,750
£ 1,485
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Leather Kengu Armchair by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rykken
£ 545
Old Painted Furniture
Early 19th Century Mahogany Gentleman's Chest of Drawers
£ 525
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality 19th Century Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany Desk - Writing Side Dressing Table
£ 1,495
Antique Fine Quality 19th Century Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany Desk - Writing Side Dressing Table
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Writing Table / Side Table in Mahogany
£ 385
Church Street Antiques
Regency / George IV Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
£ 4,800
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Pedestal Desk in Oak
£ 465
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Welsh Food or Bread & Cheese Cupboard
£ 2,340
£ 1,395
Mersham Manor Antiques
Late 17th Century Solid Oak Bureau
£ 995
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 18th Century Coffer / Blanket Box of Small Proportions
£ 465
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Side Cabinet
£ 1,885
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.