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.
Salisbury Antiques Centre
17th Century Oak Table Cabinet
£ 675
Antique & Modern Living
Rosewood & Brass Inlay Side Cabinet
£ 2,250
Victoria Antiques
Good Edwardian Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 295
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Quality Edwardian Mahogany Display Case
£ 1,150
Town House Traders Ltd
Arts & Crafts Oak Bedside Cabinet
£ 195
Wickersley Antiques
18th Century Demi Lune Bedroom Chest Mahogany Inlaid
£ 590
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,295
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Victorian Mahogany Book Case Dresser Display Cabinet 1890s
£ 495
Camden Antiques
French Mahogany Marble Topped Vitrine
£ 795
Harry Raine Antiques
Good Quality Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Side Cabinet
£ 495
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Stunning Antique Victorian Corner Cabinet
£ 795
Hawkins Antiques
Stunning Antique Rosewood Inlaid Side Cabinet
£ 2,950
Hingstons Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Curio Cabinet Bookcase
£ 1,375
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Hand Painted Mid 19th Century Swedish Wall Cabinet
£ 1,495
Arundel Eccentrics
Country Theme Decorated Cabinet
£ 900
Tom Scott Antiques
Georgian Style 2 Door Cabinet c.1900
£ 395
London City Antiques
Antique Superior Quality French Kingwood & Marquetry Inlaid Side Cabinet
£ 2,250
Antique Superior Quality French Kingwood & Marquetry Inlaid Side Cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Philip Hunt Antiques
Fine Regency 2 Door Mahogany Side Cabinet
£ 1,395
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,450
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 3,450
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut & Porcelain Mounted Pier Cabinets
£ 8,850
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut & Porcelain Mounted Pier Cabinets
£ 8,850
London City Antiques
Campbell Vintage
Painted Glass Cabinet on Stand with Single Drawer
£ 740
LT Antiques
Anglo Indian Satinwood Side Cabinet
£ 575
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Display Cabinet with Original Painted Decoration
£ 2,650
London City Antiques
Holmes Antiques
17th Century Olive Wood Oyster Cabinet
£ 14,800
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Bow Fronted Display Cabinet in Walnut
£ 365
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet in Oak
£ 495
£ 199.99
Vintage Jaycee Furniture Carved Oak CD Disc Cabinet c.1970 / Cupboard Stand Unit
£ 199.99
MebleinUK
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet in Oak
£ 295
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet In Walnut
£ 485
Victoria Antiques
Fantastic HMV Green Gramophone
£ 250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Glazed Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 325
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Late 19th Century Glazed Display Cabinet in Mahogany
£ 485
LT Antiques
Regency Mahogany Linen Press Cabinet
£ 1,375
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
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.