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.
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Oak Bookcase of Small Proportions
£ 495
£ 485
£ 545
£ 635
£ 435
£ 415
Victoria Antiques
Victorian Carved Oak Cabinet
£ 250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Art Nouveau Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,100
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair Mahogany Inlaid Bedside Cabinets
£ 895
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Serpentine Chippendale Revival Display Cabinet
£ 1,095
£ 225
Timeless Furniture UK
Vintage Mahogany Side Cabinet
£ 190
Timeless Furniture UK
Pair of Two Tone Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 180
Penderyn Antiques
Antique George III Oak Wall Cabinet
£ 595
Church Street Antiques
Early 20thc Queen Anne Style Mahogany Cocktail Cabinet
£ 1,250
Timeless Furniture UK
Yew Wood Breakfront Library Bookcase
£ 475
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Gothic Style Bookcase With Green Glass Leaded Doors
£ 425
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Burr Walnut & Mahogany Panelled Music Cabinet
£ 225
Alain Michel Antiques
Globe Wernicke Waterfall Bookcase In Light Oak - 19th Century
€ 12,500
Globe Wernicke Waterfall Bookcase In Light Oak - 19th Century
€ 12,500
Alain Michel Antiques
Timeless Furniture UK
Continental Heavily Inlaid Walnut Bookcase
£ 625
Prometheus Antiques
Small Chinese Inlaid Black Lacquer Cabinet
£ 495
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Architectural Empire Birch Cupboard of Large Proportions
£ 6,250
19th Century Architectural Empire Birch Cupboard of Large Proportions
£ 6,250
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Timeless Furniture UK
Antique Dark Oak Ornate Bookcase
£ 425
Antique Furniture Direct
A Georgian Mahogany Side Cabinet / Commode
£ 250
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Mahogany Bedside Chests
£ 1,250
Richie Perrott Antiques
A Victorian Burr Walnut Bookcase Display Sideboard
£ 1,995
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique French Burr Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,250
Worboys Antiques
Solid Oak Corner Cabinet
£ 265
£ 1,650
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
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.