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.
£ 395
Antique Gothic Revival Book Slide, English Walnut, Extending Bookrest, Victorian
£ 395
London Fine Ltd
Whites Antiques
Set of 4 Original Painted Cane Seated Regency Chairs
£ 1,095
London City Antiques
Antique 18th Century George III Quality Oak Dresser Base with Original Brass Handle & Escutcheons
£ 3,450
Antique 18th Century George III Quality Oak Dresser Base with Original Brass Handle & Escutcheons
£ 3,450
London City Antiques
£ 695
Antique Hall Rack with Valet Mirror, English, Oak, Mounted Coat Hooks, Victorian
£ 695
London Fine Ltd
£ 249.99
Millers Antiques
Pair Georgian Wine Tables
£ 1,250
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 595
Church Street Antiques
Mahogany Arts and Crafts Hall Robe
£ 1,495
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Antique Pine Sleigh Bed
£ 360
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique French Victorian Marble Top Centre Table
£ 2,450
Outstanding Quality Antique French Victorian Marble Top Centre Table
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Lovely c.1800 Bleached Chestnut Dining / Kitchen / Hall Table
£ 3,250
A Lovely c.1800 Bleached Chestnut Dining / Kitchen / Hall Table
£ 3,250
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
£ 224.49
London City Antiques
Unusual Set of 8 Quality Antique Decorated Faux Birds Eye Maple Dining Chairs
£ 3,150
Unusual Set of 8 Quality Antique Decorated Faux Birds Eye Maple Dining Chairs
£ 3,150
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique William IV Circular Rosewood Centre Table
£ 4,850
Outstanding Quality Antique William IV Circular Rosewood Centre Table
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
Pinefinders Old Pine Furniture Warehouse
Large Arched Top Pine Shelved Cupboard
£ 630
Millers Antiques
Plain Georgian Armchair
£ 475
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Carved Bleached Oak Hall / Side / Writing Table
£ 2,550
£ 279.99
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Birch & Ebony Coffee / Occasional Table
£ 595
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
£ 2,950
LT Antiques
Large Queen Anne Style Walnut Desk
£ 2,750
Stalham Antique Gallery
Late 17th Century Oak Coffer
£ 320
£ 299.99
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Inlaid Lamp Table
£ 985
Stalham Antique Gallery
Good Solid Victorian Mahogany Small Table
£ 380
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Carved Mahogany Side Chairs
£ 1,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Inlaid Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 1,450
Stalham Antique Gallery
Good Late 17th / Early 18th Century Oak Plank Coffer
£ 425
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Freestanding Maple & Co. Inlaid Writing Desk
£ 4,850
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Freestanding Maple & Co. Inlaid Writing Desk
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Desk Chair
£ 945
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Leather Top Occasional Table
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Drinks Cabinet
£ 1,250
£ 1,650
Danish Modern Roll Top Desk by Andreas Hansen for Hadsten Traeindustri
£ 1,650
Campbell Vintage
Matthew Coles Antiques
Louis XVI Style Tall Chest of Drawers
£ 295
Matthew Coles Antiques
Georgian Box Settle
£ 850
Worboys Antiques
Art Deco Oak Sectional Bookcase
£ 345
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Revolving Bookcase
£ 395
Worboys Antiques
Late 19th Century Figure Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 550
Rawlings Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Breakfront Triple Wardrobe
£ 895
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
Larger French Bleached Oak Monastery Dining Table
£ 2,750
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.