Since a house is far more than a home, it requires furniture that is far more than just functional. It requires furniture with soul. Nothing does this better than antique and vintage furniture which combine quality with a warmth and personality only time can bring. These were pieces that were good enough for our ancestors to buy and use and love. And if it was good enough for them, then they probably deserve to join our family too. Furthermore an antique cabinet or antique table will add character to even the most uninspiring room.
So how should you really shop for antique furniture? Well, the simple answer is to have fun with it. Free from the conformity of current fashions you can acquire pieces just because you like them and because they inspire you. Buy an elegant Art Deco chest of drawers because it adds unashamed glamour to the room, buy a deep buttoned Victorian armchair because secretly inside you pretend you are Sherlock Holmes every time you sink down into it. Or simply place a 17th Century coffer at the end of the bed so that every time you wake up you can admire the warmth and wear those 300 years of loving handling brings.
At LoveAntiques we have an amazing and ever-changing selection of vintage and antique furniture for sale online from hundreds of Antique Dealers, catering for all your needs.
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Wall Standing Bentwood Coat Stand
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Excellent Quality Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Large Solid Oak Coffee Table
£ 895
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Set of Six Solid Mahogany Chippendale Style Dining Chairs Circa 1890
£ 595
Set of Six Solid Mahogany Chippendale Style Dining Chairs Circa 1890
£ 595
Beresford Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Lovely Pair of Victorian Antique Pine 1 Piece Wardrobes to wax / paint
£ 2,295
Lovely Pair of Victorian Antique Pine 1 Piece Wardrobes to wax / paint
£ 2,295
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
£ 775
William IV Neat-sized Mahogany Cellarette in The Form of a Chest of Drawers
£ 775
Georgian Antiques
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Fabulous 4 Door Moulded Pine Dresser Base / TV Stand to wax / paint
£ 895
Fabulous 4 Door Moulded Pine Dresser Base / TV Stand to wax / paint
£ 895
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Georgian Antique/old Pine 1 Door Wide & Low Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
A Georgian Antique/old Pine 1 Door Wide & Low Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Georgian Antiques
Matched Pair of X Framed Tables
£ 800
Georgian Antiques
George III Specimen Wood Games Table
£ 2,250
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Super Bathroom Antique/old Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
A Super Bathroom Antique/old Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Georgian Antique/old Pine 2 Door Kitchen / Linen Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 825
A Georgian Antique/old Pine 2 Door Kitchen / Linen Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 825
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Victorian Antique/old Pine 5 Drawer Food Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 725
A Victorian Antique/old Pine 5 Drawer Food Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 725
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A 2 Door Georgian Antique/old Pine Fielded Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 895
A 2 Door Georgian Antique/old Pine Fielded Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 895
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Superb Large & Rounded Victorian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 545
A Superb Large & Rounded Victorian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Fabulous Bathroom Antique Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to wax / paint
£ 545
Fabulous Bathroom Antique Pine 2 Door Storage Cupboard to wax / paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Hingstons Antiques
Large Leather Chesterfield Stool
£ 1,650
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Superb Small Victorian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 445
A Superb Small Victorian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 445
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
French Farmhouse Fruitwood Table with Painted Base
£ 810
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Bathroom Antique/old Pine 2 Door Low & Wide Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
A Bathroom Antique/old Pine 2 Door Low & Wide Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
George II Mahogany Tripod Table with Tilt Mechanism
£ 620
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
An Arched 1 Door Art Deco Antique/old Pine Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 725
An Arched 1 Door Art Deco Antique/old Pine Storage Cupboard to Wax/paint
£ 725
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Commode
£ 1,620
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Superb Victorian 2 Door Mint Clean Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 495
A Superb Victorian 2 Door Mint Clean Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 495
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Large Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 895
A Large Antique / Old Pine 1 Piece Glazed Display Cabinet to Wax/paint
£ 895
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Aion Classique
Victorian Arts & Crafts Silver Trinket Box
£ 185
Deco Original Ltd
Large Victorian Inlaid Walnut Table / Jewellery Box
£ 245
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
A Superb Pretty Georgian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 545
A Superb Pretty Georgian 2 Door Kitchen Dresser Base Wax / Paint
£ 545
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Hingstons Antiques
George V Mahogany Dining Table
£ 2,375
Deco Original Ltd
Large Regency Cuban Mahogany Table / Jewellery Box
£ 195
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century French Fruitwood Farmhouse Table
£ 1,245
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 650
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Pine Chest
£ 450
£ 229.99
Old Mill Antiques
1930s Oak Filing Cabinet
£ 795
MebleinUK
Vintage Wood Brothers Old Charm / Original Arts Bookcase and Lower Cupboard C1970 / Brown Oak
£ 319.99
Vintage Wood Brothers Old Charm / Original Arts Bookcase and Lower Cupboard C1970 / Brown Oak
£ 319.99
MebleinUK
Millers Antiques
1800's Country Stool
£ 195
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 650
MebleinUK
Antique Edwardian Oak Desk Chair
£ 555.55
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Table
£ 495
How do I identify antique furniture?
Although most antique furniture is found without labels or dates, genuine antique pieces can usually be identified from a combination of the materials used, the style of the piece as well as the natural wear on the finish or Patina. Patina is something that can only occur naturally over time and is very hard to fake via man-made effects such as staining, sanding and painting. The skill is looking at lots of tiny details which convince you the item is a genuine antique. Much of this skill and knowledge can be built up over time just by observing real pieces and learning from those around you. It is also a good reason to buy from reputable antique dealers such as those on LoveAntiques who can give you the piece of mind that the item is what you say it is as well as offer valuable advice.
How to value antique furniture?
Like any collectable field antique furniture can range in value between nearly worthless to virtually priceless. In the past price guide reference books were a good starting point for valuing different items, but today such books have become nearly obsolete with the power of the internet at our fingertips. In most cases the internet will be the first place to research your item but don’t forget that the values you find can vary dramatically depending on the condition, who is selling them, where the item is located and more. While there are certain furniture items which are less or more fashionable today than in the past, desirability and value really comes down to individual taste and the room it is going into. You can ask your local auction house or antique dealer for a valuation but in both cases the value they give should be considered an estimate only. There are specialist online valuation services which will provide valuations for a fee but again check their location as values can vary dramatically between countries and continents.
Is Mahogany furniture valuable?
The simple answer is Mahogany furniture can be very valuable. It has always been a scarce and prized timber so is usually a sign that the antique item was expensive and well made at the time, sometimes by the very best makers and designers. Mahogany was first imported from the West Indies at the start of the 18th Century and continued to be popular up to the beginning of the 20th Century. It not only has an appealing red tone and grain but is strong and crisp to carve. However, Mahogany has also always been scarce, so almost from the start was also being used as a veneer as well as solid timber. Today antique mahogany is slightly less fashionable overall compared to other timbers (such as Oak) so can be purchased for less than in the past making them great value. In truth if you like the item or it suits the room, then that item is valuable to you either way.
What date is Georgian and Victorian Furniture?
The Georgian era in England (1714-1837) began with King George I in 1714 and ended with the death of George IV in 1830. However, for simplicity most people also include the subsequent reign of William IV from 1830-37 into the Georgian period. The Victorian era (1837-1901) began when Queen Victoria took to the throne in 1837 and until her death in 1901. When describing antique furniture people sometimes use the terms Georgian and Victorian somewhat loosely to also describe items created in the styles popular during those times.
What is vintage Furniture?
The phrase ‘Vintage Furniture’ is commonly used to describe a whole group of furniture that is not yet old enough to be antique. Many people and sales platforms deem that vintage items must be a minimum of 20 years old to be called Vintage and that they finally become Antique when they are at least 100 years old. In principle this is a pretty clear definition, but it is important to recognise that these are only guide-lines and some will use ‘Vintage’ to refer to even newer items in an older style.