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.
Daniel Clark Furniture
Arts & Crafts Open Oak Bookcase
£ 625
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique c.1920 Italian Walnut & Marble Bedside Table Cupboards – Fine Quality Pair
£ 2,096.50
Antique c.1920 Italian Walnut & Marble Bedside Table Cupboards – Fine Quality Pair
£ 2,096.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Oak & Beech Wall Cupboard / Bookcase Display Shelves – Quality
£ 556.50
Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Oak & Beech Wall Cupboard / Bookcase Display Shelves – Quality
£ 556.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Mid 20th Century Carved Hardwood Cabinet
£ 1,395
Worboys Antiques
Pair of French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 475
Timeless Furniture UK
Art Deco Walnut Tallboy
£ 275
Harry Raine Antiques
Wood Bros Old Charm Oak Display Cabinet Tudor Brown
£ 265
Camden Antiques
Victorian Carved Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 875
The Old Pine Shop
Fab! Original Pair Old Pine Bedside Cabinets/Cupboards/Lamp Tables
£ 499
Worboys Antiques
Single French Oak Bedside Cabinet
£ 265
Camden Antiques
19th Century Vernis Martin Meuble D'Appui
£ 2,450
£ 795
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 695
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique 19th Century Painted Glazed Adjustable Bookcase / Display Cabinet – Quality
£ 1,046.50
Antique 19th Century Painted Glazed Adjustable Bookcase / Display Cabinet – Quality
£ 1,046.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Yew Wood Bedside Chests
£ 1,150
£ 499
Lovely! Original Pair of Old Pine Bedside Cabinets / Cupboards / Lamp Tables
£ 499
The Old Pine Shop
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century American Display Cabinet by Quincy Showcase Works Illinois
£ 4,995
Early 20th Century American Display Cabinet by Quincy Showcase Works Illinois
£ 4,995
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Worboys Antiques
Solid Oak Side Cabinet
£ 475
Worboys Antiques
Mid 19th Century Mahogany Night Stand
£ 275
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Queen Anne Style Display Cabinet
£ 775
FB Antiques
Pair of William IV Mahogany Bedsides
£ 795
Rawlings Antiques
Pair of Victorian Display Cabinets Pier Cabinets
£ 975
Camden Antiques
Inlaid Bow Fronted Display Cabinet
£ 475
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Mid 20th Century Scandinavian Birch Filing Cabinet
£ 1,149.75
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Marble Top Cabinet
£ 1,450
Penderyn Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 495
LT Antiques
Large 18th Century Walnut Cabinet
£ 3,450
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Restored Haberdashery Counter
£ 1,680
D and A Binder LTD
Early 20th Century Mahogany Wall Display Cabinet
£ 780
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Ebonized Countertop Display Cabinet
£ 900
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Tower Shop Display Cabinet
£ 2,040
D and A Binder LTD
Estate Office Mahogany Filing Cabinet
£ 2,400
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Oak Countertop Display Cabinet
£ 420
D and A Binder LTD
1950s Pine & Oak Archive Tambour Cabinet
£ 900
Founders Antiques
Antique George III Mahogany Bedside Commode c.1800
£ 445
Georgian Antiques
Dutch Style Shaped Cabinet on Chest
£ 2,250
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Burr Walnut Corner Cabinet
£ 675
Georgian Antiques
Folio Cabinet by Whytock & Reid of Edinburgh
£ 2,750
The Antique Shop
Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 635
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique French Louis XV Style Kingwood & Marquetry Vitrine Cabinet
£ 1,500
Antique French Louis XV Style Kingwood & Marquetry Vitrine Cabinet
£ 1,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
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.