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.
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Late 19th Century Inlaid Display Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 795
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Cabinet In Burr Walnut
£ 250
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Late 19th Century Cabinet In Rosewood
£ 225
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Early 19th Century Corner Cabinet In Mahogany
£ 440
Antique & Decorative
Globe Wernicke Stacking Bookcase
£ 980
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Display Cabinet In Oak
£ 250
Georgian Antiques
George III Astragal-glazed Mahogany Hanging Corner Cabinet
£ 550
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Pair Of Bedside Cabinets In Walnut
£ 685
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Sycamore and Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 2,250
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
An Attractive Indian Teak Cabinet with Carved Figures
£ 695
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Tabletop Filing Drawers
£ 160
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase
£ 1,650
£ 1,950
Martlesham Antiques
19th Century Black Lacquered and Painted Table Cabinet
£ 1,450
Harry Raine Antiques
Inlaid Mahogany Waterfall Bookcase - Burton Reproductions
£ 165
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Victorian Satin Birch Bedside Lockers
£ 1,250
Philip Hunt Antiques
Pretty French Walnut Cabinet on Stand
£ 925
£ 590
£ 899
Fantastic! Old Pine 4 Door Cupboard/ Shelves-larder/ Linen/ TV Cabinet
£ 899
The Old Pine Shop
Worboys Antiques
Cash's Beech Counter Display Case
£ 245
Antique & Decorative
Moorish Inlaid Hardwood Corner Display Cabinet
£ 890
Worboys Antiques
Small Proportioned Edwardian Mahogany Corner Wall Cabinet
£ 195
Camden Antiques
Shapland and Petter Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 1,595
Founders Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Bedside Pot Cupboard
£ 195
Philip Hunt Antiques
Stunning Art Deco Walnut Cocktail Cabinet
£ 1,495
£ 299
£ 599
£ 369
£ 369
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers French Sideboard / Cabinet
£ 299
Harry Raine Antiques
Carved Oak Glazed Bookcase
£ 165
Antique & Decorative
Pair Of French Bedside Cabinets
£ 580
The Antique Shop
Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 1,165
The Antique Shop
Antique Burr Walnut China Display Cabinet
£ 535
Founders Antiques
Antique Early 20th Century French Marble Topped Oak Bedside
£ 265
Michael Johnson Antiques
Golden Oak Cabinet c.1900
£ 340
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Walnut Tambour Front Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,100
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
French Tambour Fronted Storage Cabinet
£ 315
Victoria Antiques
Rosewood Brass Inlaid 2 Door Regency Cabinet.
£ 595
Victoria Antiques
Twin Door Bookcase in Mahogany.
£ 380
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.