The Art of Collecting Antique Display Cabinets
Antique display cabinets come in a variety of styles and forms, each designed to showcase specific types of items and complement different interior aesthetics.
Display cabinets have a rich history dating back centuries. They emerged as a means to showcase valuable and prized possessions, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes. In ancient times, cabinets were often used by royalty and nobility to display precious artifacts, treasures, and collections acquired through conquests, trade, or inheritance.
For those seeking to acquire antique display cabinets, premier furniture dealers like Regent Antiques offer an excellent range of options.
Here at Regent Antiques we stock a broad range of antique display cabinets, including drinks cabinets, cocktail cabinets, book cabinets, sideboards, and even bedside cabinets. Whether you’re looking to display a collection of fine bone china, jewelry, trophies, porcelain figurines, or any other prized possessions, an antique display cabinet from Regent Antiques is sure to meet your needs.
The Craftsmanship of Antique Display Cabinets
The construction of antique display cabinets displays the skill and artistry of traditional craftsmen. Intricate carvings, dovetail joints, and hand-cut joinery are hallmarks of fine craftsmanship, ensuring the structural integrity and durability of the piece. These details not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the cabinet but also serve as a testament to the craftsmanship of bygone eras.
With their extensive inventory of both antique and contemporary cabinets, Regent Antiques provides options for every purpose and style preference.
Today, we would like to bring your attention to some of our most exquisite pieces. We start off with a stunning Edwardian mahogany breakfront glazed display cabinet by Maple & Co., circa 1900 in date.
This cabinet is beautifully decorated throughout with ebony and boxwood crossbanding and stringing, the shaped raised back and rectangular top over glazed sides.
The front with two astragal glazed panels flanking a single glazed door, enclosing two shelves, with inset panels over a shaped apron and raised on swept legs.
This fabulous antique cabinet is complete with a working lock and original key. The back of the cabinet is bearing the ivorine label of Maple & Co.
This gorgeous piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.
Our second featured item is a superb and imposing antique French serpentine ormolu mounted, purple heart, walnut, marquetry and king wood marble topped side cabinet, circa 1880 in date.
The entire piece highlights the unique and truly exceptional pattern of the floral marquetry set into a parquetry ground with stunning king wood banding, and this is further complimented by the plethora of exquisite gilded ormolu mounts that decorate this incredible piece.
This cabinet is serpentine fronted with serpentine sides, and is topped with a stunning Carrara marble top, the pair of panelled doors open to reveal a polished interior with two shelves and plenty of storage space for drinks, glasses, crockery, etc.
This remarkable antique cabinet is complete with a working lock and original key.
Oozing sophistication and charm, this cabinet is the absolute epitome of French high society. Its attention to detail and lavish decoration are certain to draw the eye wherever you choose to place it in your home.
Next, we would like to introduce you to an exceptional quality antique Victorian ormolu mounted burr walnut and marquetry inlaid serpentine credenza, circa 1870 in date.
The entire piece highlights the unique and truly exceptional pattern of the book matched burr walnut veneers, and it has been enriched by the beautiful boxwood line inlay, decorative crossbanding and marquetry inlaid decoration.
The credenza is of serpentine form and has a panelled door in the centre which is decorated with beautiful inlaid marquetry decoration. The central door opens to reveal a shelf and plenty of storage space for drinks, glasses, crockery, etc.
The end doors are serpentine and glazed, each encloses a central shelf perfect for displaying your ornaments.
Its attention to detail and lavish decoration are certain to draw the eye wherever you choose to place it in your home.
Last but not least, we would like to show you a gorgeous large antique French king wood Vernis Martin five panel display cabinet in the Louis XV manner and of extravagantly shaped Bombe form, circa 1870 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu mounts.
It has five decorative Vernis Martin panels with beautiful hand painted decoration, the central panel depicting a courting couple and the others with classical figures in pastoral country scenes. The central panel bears the artist’s signature, Le Brun.
The large central clear serpentine glazed door is opening to a large capacious cupboard below, flanked by clear glazed serpentine panels, with further shaped glass on the sides.
It is smothered in gorgeous gilded ormolu mounts, the shaped apron with foliate mounts and sabots, standing on cabriole legs. The mirror backed interior is fitted with glass shelves, the lower shelf lined with golden velvet, to display your collection of china or silver beautifully.
This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.
Antique display cabinets exhibit a wealth of design elements that contribute to their distinctive charm and character. These elements often reflect the design trends of the time period in which they were created, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities of their makers.
By incorporating these design elements, antique display cabinets become more than just functional pieces of furniture—they become works of art that evoke a sense of history, beauty, and craftsmanship.
Aside from a wide range of antique display cabinets, we also offer our clients a great selection of antique chests of drawers and antique bookcases for all their storage requirements.
If you would like to enhance your home with one of these wonderful pieces, we are always on hand to advise you. Just give us a call at +44 20 8809 9605 or send an email to info@regentantiques.com.
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