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.
MebleinUK
Vintage Old Charm Wood Bros Style / Small Bedside Cabinet / Light Oak / Made in England 1970s
£ 210.99
Vintage Old Charm Wood Bros Style / Small Bedside Cabinet / Light Oak / Made in England 1970s
£ 210.99
MebleinUK
London City Antiques
Antique Mahogany Astragal Glazed Carved Corner Cabinet
£ 1,695
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Oak Tambour Front Filing Cabint
£ 395
Philip Hunt Antiques
Mahogany Chippendale Style Linen Cabinet
£ 925
Stalham Antique Gallery
Early 19th Century Mahogany Bedside Cupboard
£ 240
£ 750
Antique 19th Century Victorian Mahogany Bookcase Bookcase with Glazed Doors
£ 750
Bentleigh Antiques
The Flock of Arts
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Bookcase with Glazed Doors
£ 150
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Walnut Display Cabinet Bookcase
£ 350
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Bedside Walnut Cabinets
£ 1,250
D and A Binder LTD
Jewellers Shop Display Cabinet
£ 2,640
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Tower Display Cabinet
£ 1,625
D and A Binder LTD
Late Victorian Shop Display Counter
£ 900
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Revival Mahogany Bookcase c.1920
£ 1,395
D and A Binder LTD
Restored 1920s Shop Display Cabinet
£ 2,160
London Fine Ltd
Small Antique Court Cabinet, English, Oak, Side Cupboard
£ 2,650
Millers Antiques
Marble Top Walnut Bedside Cabinet
£ 275
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany L Shaped Corner Cabinet
£ 850
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany L Shaped Corner Cabinet
£ 850
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Display Case Victorian Shop Mahogany C1890
£ 295
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Early 18th Century Marquetry Table Cabinet
£ 1,700
£ 299.99
Trade Antiques
Pier Cabinet Famous Makers Gillow Walnut Inlaid 1852
£ 1,650
Elmgarden
Pair of French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 700
£ 700
£ 900
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Dark Oak Bookcase
£ 440
Hingstons Antiques
Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 3,950
£ 375
A Edwardian Mahogany Book Case with Double Astragal Glazed Doors on Bracket Feet
£ 375
Bentleigh Antiques
Bentleigh Antiques
Victorian Ebonised Gilt Brass Inlaid Pier Cabinet
£ 849
Georgian Antiques
Pair of French Marble Topped Side Cabinets
£ 1,150
Martlesham Antiques
Early 19th Century Rosewood, Gilt and Marble Top Cabinet
£ 2,450
Bentleigh Antiques
Antique Victorian Pine Chest of Drawers Wash Stand with Galleried Top
£ 375
Antique Victorian Pine Chest of Drawers Wash Stand with Galleried Top
£ 375
Bentleigh Antiques
William Rand Antiques
Edwardian Stacking Oak Barristers Bookcase by Minty
Walton House Antiques Ltd
George III Side Cabinet on Tapered Legs
£ 385
£ 1,850
£ 229.99
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 2,200
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,450
Hingstons Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Bookcase 1920s
£ 1,675
Vintage House
Small Old Primitive Painted Meat Safe
£ 95
London City Antiques
Antique Quality Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Corner Cabinet
£ 1,395
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.