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.
Planet Antiques
Art Deco Bureau Cabinet
£ 299
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Danish Cabinet-maker Leather Sofa
£ 3,950
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Solid Oak Rustic Tallboy or High Chest, 7 Large Drawers - Mid Century
£ 895
Solid Oak Rustic Tallboy or High Chest, 7 Large Drawers - Mid Century
£ 895
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Planet Antiques
Art Deco Sideboard
£ 349
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Mid Century Harris Lebus Style Chest of Drawers Art Deco Style Handles
£ 295
Mid Century Harris Lebus Style Chest of Drawers Art Deco Style Handles
£ 295
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
£ 259.99
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Leather Reclining Armchair & Stool by De Sede
£ 1,850
Adam Wylie Antiques
Small Early 20th Century Three Tier Oak Bookshelf
£ 130
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Armchairs
£ 2,575
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Chest
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Wardrobe / Hall Cupboard
£ 945
Erfmann Vintage
Victorian Mahogany Occasional Chair Original Tapestry
£ 175
Martlesham Antiques
19th Century Anglo Indian Carved Sofa
£ 3,550
£ 189.99
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Kneehole Desk by Edwards & Roberts
£ 2,250
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Kneehole Desk by Edwards & Roberts
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Stalham Antique Gallery
19th Century Burr Walnut Collector's Cabinet
£ 1,900
Marylebone Antiques
1960s Danish Vintage Rosewood Chair by Erik Buch
£ 325
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Windsor Oak Armchair
£ 395
Town House Traders Ltd
Brass Bound Mahogany Military Style Coffee Table
£ 220
Erfmann Vintage
Mid Century Vintage Original Real Leather Pouffe Foot Stool
£ 80
Martlesham Antiques
Anglo Indian Teak Davenport
£ 1,500
£ 189.99
London City Antiques
Large Quality Satinwood Astral Glazed Breakfront Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,685
Large Quality Satinwood Astral Glazed Breakfront Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,685
London City Antiques
Stalham Antique Gallery
Very Pretty Early Victorian Mahoganny Dining Table
£ 625
Hingstons Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 1,685
£ 440
Town House Traders Ltd
Robert "Mouseman" Thompson Oak Side Cabinet
£ 1,500
Rettendon Antiques
19th Century Burr Walnut Batchelors Chest Drawers
£ 650
Antique & Modern Living
Victorian Mahogany Microscope Slide Cabinet
£ 1,250
The Club Chair Studio @ Matt Black Interiors
Very Lovely 1940s French Leather Club Chair - Havana Lounge Model
£ 975
Very Lovely 1940s French Leather Club Chair - Havana Lounge Model
£ 975
The Club Chair Studio @ Matt Black Interiors
Erfmann Vintage
Mid Century Vintage Real Conker Brown Leather Armchair
£ 525
JMR Antiques Ltd
Stunning 19th Century Armchair Standing on Brass Casters
£ 1,495
Adam Wylie Antiques
Late 19th Century Mahogany Occasional Table
£ 385
Witch Antiques
Arts & Crafts Oak Bureau Bookcase
£ 875
Hingstons Antiques
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Revolving Bookcase
£ 1,350
Martlesham Antiques
Early 18th Century Oak Coffer
£ 1,550
Adam Wylie Antiques
Very Well Made Oak Side Table c.1930
£ 395
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Circular Specimen Marble Top Lamp Table / Centre Table
£ 3,650
Antique Victorian Quality Circular Specimen Marble Top Lamp Table / Centre Table
£ 3,650
London City Antiques
Stalham Antique Gallery
Antique Country Made Ash Stool c.1900
£ 120
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.