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.
London City Antiques
Magnificent Exhibition Quality Antique Victorian Italian Profusely Carved Solid Walnut Pair of Side Cupboards
£ 5,750
Magnificent Exhibition Quality Antique Victorian Italian Profusely Carved Solid Walnut Pair of Side Cupboards
£ 5,750
London City Antiques
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Chinese Hardwood Coffee Table
£ 795
Kernow Furniture
Antique Edwardian Upholstered Walnut Armchair
£ 395
Matthew Coles Antiques
Chinese Work Table
£ 475
Philip Hunt Antiques
Set of 8 (6 + 2) Regency Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
£ 2,750
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Quality Rosewood Cabinet on Stand
£ 2,750
Kernow Furniture
Rustic English Side Table
£ 495
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Art Deco Walnut Dining Table 1930s
£ 350
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Tripod Wine Table
£ 140
£ 275
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Great Pair of Later Painted Fauteuil Armchairs c.1895
£ 1,650
Great Pair of Later Painted Fauteuil Armchairs c.1895
£ 1,650
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Kernow Furniture
Set of 4 Bar Back Mahogany Chairs
£ 645
Kernow Furniture
Victorian Barley Twist Table
£ 235
Philip Hunt Antiques
Mahogany Regency Style 2 Leaf Extending Dining Table
£ 2,150
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Victorian Pine Dressing Table Chest of Drawers with Mirror
£ 395
Victorian Pine Dressing Table Chest of Drawers with Mirror
£ 395
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Tripod Wine Table
£ 140
Vintage House
Vintage Oak Laboratory Table Kitchen Island
£ 275
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Attractive Pair of Painted Armchairs c.1895
£ 2,100
Kernow Furniture
Country Oak & Elm Chair
£ 295
Salisbury Antiques Centre
George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 1,750
Town House Traders Ltd
Set of 4 Arts & Crafts Walnut High Back Dining Chairs
£ 140
Kernow Furniture
Georgian Mahogany Writing Bureau
£ 345
£ 1,850
Beautiful Regency Period Rosewood Cross-banded Mahogany Breakfast Table c.1830
£ 1,850
Artsonline.org.uk
Kernow Furniture
19th Century Mahogany Carver Chair
£ 285
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Hump Back Country House Sofa
£ 680
Kernow Furniture
Antique Georgian Oak Bureau
£ 495
Kernow Furniture
Single Continental Walnut Occasional Chair
£ 395
London City Antiques
Small Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Table with Two Drop Leaves
£ 1,085
Small Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Table with Two Drop Leaves
£ 1,085
London City Antiques
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Pair of English Country House Leather Armchairs
£ 2,750
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Victorian Scottish Pine Chest of Drawers 6 Drawer
£ 550
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany 11ft 6in Triple Pillar Extending Dining Table
£ 1,100
Antique Mahogany 11ft 6in Triple Pillar Extending Dining Table
£ 1,100
Town House Traders Ltd
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Art Deco Walnut Tallboy 2 Drawer Over Cupboard
£ 350
£ 885
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Mahogany Revolving Bookcase Coffee Table
£ 240
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Victorian Solid Oak Side Table Hall Table Console Table
£ 295
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Edwardian Inlaid Double Seat Love Bench Sofa Window Seat
£ 285
Edwardian Inlaid Double Seat Love Bench Sofa Window Seat
£ 285
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Walnut Chest on Chest Tallboy
£ 440
Tom Scott Antiques
Large Upholstered Stool on 18th Century Pad Feet Legs
£ 795
Vintage House
Large Antique Yellow Chest of Drawers
£ 495
Vintage House
Victorian Pine Kitchen Dresser with Open Plate Rack
£ 595
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.