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.
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Inlaid Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 480
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 695
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Decorative Mahogany Vitrine
£ 600
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Bow Fronted Vitrine
£ 600
Alain Michel Antiques
Mahogany Bookcase with Secretary c.1820
€ 3,300
Millers Antiques
Fine 18th Century Walnut Cabinet on Chest
£ 7,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Swedish Inlaid Satin Birch Cabinet
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Pier Cabinet
£ 850
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Revival Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
£ 1,295
£ 1,379
Art Deco Burr Walnut Display Cabinet Sideboard by Leemings of Halifax
£ 1,379
Leeds Antiques
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Cabinets
£ 2,800
Worboys Antiques
Small Edwardian Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 240
Worboys Antiques
Oak Art Deco Bedside Cabinet
£ 145
£ 2,490
Magnificent George II Style Burr Walnut Bookcase / Glazed Cabinet c.1910
£ 2,490
Georgian Antiques
LT Antiques
Fluted Mahogany Cylindrical Bedside Cabinet
£ 675
London City Antiques
Extremely Large Antique Early 19th Century Quality Burr Walnut Dutch Floral Marquetry Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 12,850
Extremely Large Antique Early 19th Century Quality Burr Walnut Dutch Floral Marquetry Inlaid Display Cabinet
£ 12,850
London City Antiques
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Walnut Wall Cabinet
£ 265
Tom Scott Antiques
Pair of Concave Bedside Cabinets
£ 895
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Satinwood Inlaid Bedside Cabinets
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Mahogany Bedside Cabinets
£ 975
Beau French Boutique
Vintage French Oak Bedside Cabinets
£ 595
Beau French Boutique
French Marquetry Bedside Tables Cabinets With Marble Tops
£ 795
LT Antiques
Victorian Figured Walnut Glazed Side Cabinet
£ 875
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
Pair French Bleached Oak Bedside Cupboards
£ 795
Camden Antiques
Victorian Walnut Bookcase by Jas Shoolbred & Co
£ 975
D and A Binder LTD
1930s School Arts Cabinet (1)
£ 1,800
D and A Binder LTD
1930s School Arts Cabinet (2)
£ 1,800
£ 3,650
Antique Oval Bedside Cabinet, French, Amboyna, Marble, Bathroom - Victorian 1870
£ 3,650
London Fine Ltd
£ 1,695
Antique Bedside Cabinet, French Kingwood, Marble, Nightstand Cupboard c.1900
£ 1,695
London Fine Ltd
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Oak School Cabinet
£ 1,320
£ 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
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.