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.
Georgian Antiques
Quality Brass Regency Mahogany Pier Cabinet with Brass Grill Door
£ 1,290
Church Street Antiques
Mahogany Arts and Crafts Hall Robe
£ 1,495
£ 279.99
£ 299.99
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Drinks Cabinet
£ 1,250
Worboys Antiques
Late 19th Century Figure Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 550
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Superb Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet
£ 895
£ 4,500
Fine Quality French Marble Top Kingdwood & Gilt Bronze Vitrine Cabinet
£ 4,500
Hawkins Antiques
Salisbury Antiques Centre
William & Mary Period Burr Walnut Cabinet on Stand
£ 9,500
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Marquetry Inlaid Bedside Cabinet
£ 1,285
London City Antiques
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Quality Rosewood Cabinet on Stand
£ 2,750
£ 590
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Rare George II Carved Mahogany Corner Cabinet
£ 1,500
Georgian Antiques
Carved Oak Cabinet Bookcase
£ 1,750
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Late Victorian Satinwood Glazed Top Bookcase Cabinet
£ 1,850
Planet Antiques
Beautiful Art Deco Period Cabinet
£ 349
Planet Antiques
Glazed Edwardian Bookcase
£ 345
Matthew Coles Antiques
Sheraton Revival Display Cabinet
£ 325
Tom Scott Antiques
Large French Adjustable Bookcase on Cabinet
£ 2,850
£ 295
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Regency Rosewood Side Cabinet
£ 2,350
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 950
Old Painted Furniture
Regency Painted Mahogany Two Part Estate Cabinet
£ 795
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian French Display Cabinet
£ 1,385
The Antique Shop
Antique Burr Walnut Three Door Cocktail Drinks Side Cabinet
£ 1,485
London City Antiques
19th Century Antique Quality Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet
£ 3,250
19th Century Antique Quality Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
London City Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Decorative George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet Bookcase c.1880
£ 2,400
Decorative George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet Bookcase c.1880
£ 2,400
Georgian Antiques
Vintage World
French Shabby Chic Antique Bedside Tables Cabinets
£ 349
Worboys Antiques
French Two Tier Mahogany Wall Shelves
£ 225
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
18th Century Chinoiserie Corner Cabinet
£ 2,550
Worboys Antiques
Arts & Crafts Oak Corner Wall Cabinet
£ 245
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Antique Figured Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 295
Georgian Antiques
Victorian Walnut & Marquetry Inlaid Pier Cabinet
£ 875
Worboys Antiques
French Oak Double Tambour Front Filing Cabinet
£ 425
LT Antiques
Bedside Cabinet by Shapland & Petter
£ 495
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Solid Oak Wall Cabinet
£ 345
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Mahogany Cabinet of Small Proportions
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Burr Walnut Demi Loon Cabinet
£ 895
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.