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.
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Walnut 2 Tier Book Table
£ 450
Tom Scott Antiques
French Empire Commode a Porte with Marble Top
£ 1,950
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Early Victorian Rosewood Centre / Dining Table by Gillows
£ 5,500
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Early Victorian Rosewood Centre / Dining Table by Gillows
£ 5,500
London City Antiques
Worboys Antiques
Solid Golden Oak Bureau
£ 395
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Lowboy Chest of Drawers
£ 1,525
Worboys Antiques
Pair of French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 495
Alain Michel Antiques
Spanish Renaissance Table in Walnut - 17th Century
€ 2,800
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,250
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Daniel Clark Furniture
Oak & Leather Barley Twist Study Chair
£ 575
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Fine Victorian Burr Walnut Lamp Table
£ 675
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Freestanding Canterbury
£ 1,395
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Freestanding Canterbury
£ 1,395
London City Antiques
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted Armchairs
£ 3,200
Worboys Antiques
Solid Oak Arts & Crafts Narrow Bureau
£ 375
London City Antiques
Antique Quality French Kingwood & Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Commode / Chest of Drawers
£ 4,450
Antique Quality French Kingwood & Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Commode / Chest of Drawers
£ 4,450
London City Antiques
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Early 18th Century Maltese Walnut & Marquetry Commode
£ 6,250
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Colonial Padouk Secretaire Chest
£ 1,350
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Glazed Cabinet
£ 895
£ 675
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Queen Anne Style Burr Walnut Bowfront Dressing Table, Mirror & Stool c.1930
£ 1,100
Queen Anne Style Burr Walnut Bowfront Dressing Table, Mirror & Stool c.1930
£ 1,100
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Spanish Walnut Trestle Table
£ 5,750
Bury Court Antiques
Burr Walnut & Tunbridge Ware 2 Door Display Cabinet
£ 1,275
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Rosewood Inlaid Centre Table
£ 1,485
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Rosewood Inlaid Centre Table
£ 1,485
London City Antiques
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Early 18th Century Italian Walnut Commode
£ 3,800
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 650
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Early 18th Century Italian Walnut Cabinet
£ 6,500
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany & Leather Upholstered Stool
£ 450
£ 1,195
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Italian Walnut Coffer
£ 1,850
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Bow Front Chest of Drawers
£ 695
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Small 18th Century English Oak Dresser Base
£ 3,400
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Oak Roll Top Writing Desk
£ 390
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
19th Century French Walnut Drapers Table
£ 11,500
Daniel Clark Furniture
Brights of Nettlebed Oak Distressed Cupboard
£ 425
£ 1,395
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Console Side Table
£ 975
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Small 19th Century Mahogany Bookcase Over Cupboard
£ 695
Georgian Antiques
Scottish George IV Chest of Drawers
£ 1,750
Hawkins Antiques
Stunning Antique French Kingwood Marble Top Vitrine Cabinet
£ 2,400
Alain Michel Antiques
Mahogany Rocking Chair - 18th Century - Wales
€ 850
£ 795
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.