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
Large Shop Display Cabinet
£ 1,750
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Chinese Hongmu Table Cabinet
£ 745
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Swedish Art Deco Bedside Cabinets in Satin Birch
£ 1,850
The Old Pine Shop
Wow! Tall/ Slim Old Antique Pine Glazed Display Cupboard / Cabinet / Linen / Larder
£ 799
Wow! Tall/ Slim Old Antique Pine Glazed Display Cupboard / Cabinet / Linen / Larder
£ 799
The Old Pine Shop
The Antique Shop
Antique Victorian Mahogany Library Cabinet Bookcase
£ 1,365
Victoria Antiques
Small Mahogany Glased Bookcase
£ 350
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet by Epstein
£ 5,750
Daniel Clark Furniture
Pair of French Oval Painted Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,450
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Style Mahogany Bijouterie Table
£ 375
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Shaped Display Cabinet
£ 2,850
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Shaped Display Cabinet
£ 2,850
London City Antiques
Camden Antiques
Regency Period Inlaid Mahogany Side Cabinet
£ 2,150
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet by Edwards & Roberts, London
£ 2,850
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet by Edwards & Roberts, London
£ 2,850
London City Antiques
Camden Antiques
Burr Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 975
£ 425
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Excellent Quality Demi Loon Cabinet
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Superb Pair of Chinoiserie Bedside Lamp Cabinets
£ 1,795
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Burr Walnut Bookcase of Small Proportions
£ 1,295
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Art Deco Style Biedermeier from Austria Wall Cupboard, Deep Mahogany
£ 1,250
Art Deco Style Biedermeier from Austria Wall Cupboard, Deep Mahogany
£ 1,250
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Marylebone Antiques
French Ormolu Mounted Display Cabinet
£ 950
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Mahogany Map Cabinet / Collectors Cabinet
£ 495
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
Pair of French Bedside Cupboards
£ 795
The Old Pine Shop
Lovely Pair of Old Pine Bedside Cabinets / Cupboards
£ 479
Camden Antiques
Burr Walnut Domed Top Cocktail Cabinet
£ 1,150
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Display Cabinet by James Winter & Sons, London
£ 2,495
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Display Cabinet by James Winter & Sons, London
£ 2,495
London City Antiques
Antique Furniture Direct
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Wall Cabinet / Bathroom Cabinet
£ 295
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Walnut Music Cabinet / Bookcase
£ 250
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Cuban Mahogany Cabinet on Chest
£ 4,400
Daniel Clark Furniture
Oak Corner Cupboard
£ 250
£ 1,350
Philip Hunt Antiques
Matched Pair of Art Deco Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 925
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Bookcase
£ 1,375
£ 2,250
Antique Bow Front Corner Cabinet, English Pine, Chemist, Shop Display - Victorian
£ 2,250
London Fine Ltd
Matthew Coles Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Canterbury
£ 375
Matthew Coles Antiques
Edwardian Rosewood & Inlaid Cabinet
£ 295
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Rare George III Yew Corner Cabinet
£ 870
Philip Hunt Antiques
Early Victorian Mahogany 2 Door Side Cabinet
£ 795
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Pair of Mahogany Cylinder Pot Bedside / Side Tables
£ 1,550
Pair of Mahogany Cylinder Pot Bedside / Side Tables
£ 1,550
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Tony Youll Antiques
18th Century Cabinet on Chest
£ 1,795
Hingstons Antiques
Antique Tibetan Decorated Cabinet
£ 1,475
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Swedish Inlaid Walnut Art Deco Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,400
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.