Driscolls Antiques – Antique Furniture Blog

What are the different type of antique sideboards.

The antique sideboard first appeared as a dresser which appeared from the 17th century and this piece of antique furniture was very fashionable in dining rooms of the 18th and 19th centuries. This is a piece of antique furniture which has changes into many different forms over the centuries.

The earliest design of an antique sideboard was a decorative side table on which would be displayed silver, but after the 1770s new designs were produced with with twin pedestals. This type of antique sideboard was practical and decorative, usually you can see one pedestal that serves as a plate warmer and the other can be used as a led lined wine cellaret. These antique sideboards would usually have knife urns on top and in the centre opening a free standing wine cellaret. Some also came with shallow drawers or linen trays for storage of linen and napkins. There was sometimes small drawer or cupboard to store the chamber pot which the gentlemen would use to relieve themselves without having to leave the dining room, what a nice thing to look at whilst dining. Here is three antique sideboards we have for sale and this shows how they changed through the ages.

The first example is an antique Georgian oak dresser with plate racks, two cupboard doors with brass H hinges. It also has four central drawers flanked by a drawer above a cupboard with moulded panels and it stands on bracket feet. The next stage changes the dresser into a version of a sideboard called a chiffonier . we have for sale a William IV rosewood chiffonier with two cupboard doors with arched moulding and beautifully figured centre panels. The sides have beautifully scrolled carved corbels, pilasters and the piece stands on a plain plinth.

From the Victorian ere you get styles more like our antique Victorian pollard oak sideboard with an inverted breakfront top above a concealed drawer, shaped carved brackets and a panelled central back. Each pedestal has carved corbels and columns and the cupboard doors have moulded edges and central panels. One of the interiors has a deep drawer with original brass swan neck handle and celarette lining.

These are very useful pieces of antique furniture.

Antique Furniture terms – Know the Lingo

Here is a list of antique furniture terms used in the antique trade and I thought it would be interesting for you to know what all the different words mean.

acanthus

An acanthus is a leafy carved ornament on antique furniture from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era.

Apron

An apron is at the bottom of cabinets, linen presses and bookcases.

Arcading

Arcading is a carved architectural ornament in the shape of arches. Can be seen on chair-backs and applied on panels on coffers and in some cupboard doors.

Astragal

Astragal is a small moulding used on glass for glazing bars and is called astragal glazing.

Armoire

An armoire is a wardrobe or tall cupboard.

Ash

Ash is a figured hardwood and was commonly used in the arts and crafts period.

Baize

Baize is a lining cloth usually in card tables and is usually green in colour.

Ball-and-Claw Foot

A Ball-and-Claw is a carved claw grasping a ball on the feet of some antique tables and chairs.

Banding

Banding is a decorative, inlaid border around a piece of furniture on the edges.

Baroque

Bead

Bead or beading is a moulding that is on antique furniture.

Beech

Beech is a wood with very little grain and was used for more less expensive furniture in the Edwardian period.

Bergere

Bergere is an antique armchair which is caned or upholstered.

Birch

Birch is a hardwood with a close grain and is a very strong wood.

Bevel

A bevel or bevelled edge is an edge that has been cut at a slant, can be seen on the edges of mirrors.

Biedermeier

Biedermier is a style of continental furniture produced in Austria and Germany during the Victorian period.

Birds eye maple

birds eye maple is a decorative wood from maple and has a striking grain which resembles small birds eyes.

Bombe

Bombe is a French term, meaning "blown out", describing a large outward swelling curve on the front of a piece of furniture, we have had a very nice antique bombe wardrobe in the past.

Bonheur-du-jour

A Bonheur-du-jour is a small, pretty lady’s writing desk

Bracket foot

A Bracket foot is used on a chest or a cabinet usually in the Georgian period. It is a straight corner edge and curved inner edges.

Breakfront

A breakfront is a piece with a front that steps forward.

Burl

Burl or Burr is a curly-grained veneered surface cut from irregular growths of the tree.

Bun foot

A bun foot is a foot that resembles a slightly flattened ball shape.

Bureau

An antique bureau is a desk with a sloping fall-front. The fall front is hinged above a chest of drawers.

Cabriole leg

A Cabriole leg is a leg with a curve and has a hoof, bun, paw, claw and ball or scrolled feet.

Camel back

A camel back is a chair or sofa back in the shape of a serpentine curve with two humps downward and three humps upward.

Candelabra

A Candelabra is a branched candlestick and can be found on dressing tales and some chests.

Caning

Caning is a form of wicker work for seats of chairs.

Canted

A canted surface is bevelled, chamfered usually on the corners of chest of drawers and are called canted corners.

Canterbury

A Canterbury is an ornamental stand having divisions for papers etc.

Carcase

A carcase is the term used for the body of a piece of furniture.

Carlton House Desk

The first Carlton House desk was made for George IV, then the Prince of Wales, living at Carlton House in London.

cartouche

A cartouche is usually oval in shape, and is an ornamental motif with curved or scrolling edges.

Cellaret

A cellaret is a portable cabinet for storing bottles, decanters and glasses.

Chaise lounge

A Chaise lounge is a long chair designed for relaxing and is usually upholstered.

Chesterfield

A chesterfield is an overstuffed upholstered sofa.

Chest-on-chest

A chest on chest is a chest of drawers on top of a chest of drawers.

Cheval mirror

An antique cheval mirror is a large tilting mirror, usually standing on the floor.

chiffonier

A chiffonier is a small sideboard from the regency or early Victorian periods.

Chippendale

Thomas Chippendale 1718-1779 was one of the greatest cabinet makers of the 18th-century in England.

Cock beading

Cock beading is small moulding, around the edges of drawers.

Commode

A commode is a low chest-of-drawers.

Console table

An antique console table is a small table that can be attached to the wall or is thin to be placed in a hall.

Corbel

A corbel is a carved bracket and can be seen on the corners of antique bookcases.

Cornice

A cornice is a moulding at the top of furniture like bookcases or antique wardrobes.

Credenza

A credenza is a sideboard and is usually very elaborate with a mirror back and can be seen in burr walnut.

Cross banding

Cross banding is thin strips of decorative veneer that are cross-grained.

Davenport desk

An antique davenport is a small writing desk.

Dentil Moulding

dentil moulding is the moulding under the cornice consisting of a series of small rectangular shaped blocks or teeth.

Dovetail

Dovetail is a joint used to construct drawers.

Drop-leaf

A drop leaf is a leaf which is hinged to the side of a table.

Dowel

A dowel is a wood pi, used for constructing earlier pieces of antique furniture.

Drum table

A drum table is a round table with drawers in the frieze.

Dumbwaiter

A dumb waiter is a serving table.

Ebony

Ebony is the name of wood that is black in colour,

Ebonizing

Ebonizing is the staining of wood to black.

Elm

Elm is a light wood with very nice grain.

Escutcheon

An escutcheon is a metal plate fitted around a keyhole and are usually in brass.

Fielded panel

A Fielded panel has bevelled edges, enclosing a flat central panel.

Finial

A finial is a turned knob usually on top of some bookcases.

French polish

French polish is a high gloss finish.

Gallery

A Gallery is an ornamental metal or wood railing around the edge of a piece of furniture.

Gadrooning

Gadrooning is a series of small vertical, diagonal or twisted carvings used around the edges of tables..

Georgian

The Georgian period is English furniture from 1714 to 1800.

Gillows

Gillows was a cabinet maker in England.

Hepplewhite

Hepplewhite is an English designer from the18th century.

Horse hair

Horse hair is hair cloth, used for covering of chairs and used for upholstery.

Inlay

Inlay is a form of decoration used on antique furniture, using thin layers of wood.

Kneehole desk

An antique kneehole desk is a desk with pedestals down either side and has a central opening for your knees.

Lowboy

A Lowboy is a Chest of drawers mounted on short legs.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a wood used in the Georgian and Victorian period

Maple

Maple is a light coloured wood.

Marquetry

Marquetry is several shaped pieces of wood used as a veneer on furniture to create decorative patterns.

Nest of tables

A nest of tables is a group of tables, that fits under each other.

Oak

Oak is a hardwood.

Occasional table

An antique occasional table is a small table.

Ottoman

An ottoman is a low, upholstered seat which has storage space inside.

Partner’s desk

antique partners desk is a desk with drawers on either side.

Patina

Patina is a term used to describe a mellow sheen formed over years of use.

Pedestal

A Pedestal is a term for an upright support usually under tables.

Pediment

A Pediment is usually above a cabinet and can have scrolls.

Pembroke table

A Pembroke table is a small table with drop sides.

Pilaster

A Pilaster is a flattened column on the sides of furniture.

Plinth

A Plinth is the low square base of a piece of furniture.

Reeded moulding

Reeding is moulding with straight lines.

Regency

Regency is the Period from 1810-1820.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a wood that is beautifully figured.

Satinwood

Satinwood is a pale wood.

Sarcophagus

A sarcophagus is a rectangular, coffin-shaped box.

Serpentine

Serpentine is a shaped like an s-curve

Shield back

A Shield back chair has the back in the shape of a shield

Sideboard

An antique sideboard is a large piece of dining-room furniture for storage.

Stretcher

A Stretcher is the rail at the bottom of chairs.

Stringing

Stringing is the term for decorative inlay in the form of fine lines.

Splat

A Splat is the flat central support on a chair’s back

Tallboy

A tallboy is a different word for an antique chest-on-chest.

Veneering

Veneering is the fixing of a thin layers of wood to the surface of a piece of furniture.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood is a wood with unusual stripes in the grain.

I hope this is helpful as these are very useful terms used in the descriptions of antique furniture.

The history of Solid or Veneered furniture

antique furniture was made from either solid wood or from veneer over a carcass.

veneered antique furniture first appeared in the walnut period around 1680-1740, when the decorative effects were produced with walnut, olive, tulipwood etc. The veneers were hand cut and were very thick.

Veneering was a progression of good cabinet making as it improved and new tools became available. This led to decorating antique furniture by applying different types of wood veneers and also if you cut the wood into thin pieces from the tree in several ways giving different grain effects. Veneering was also a less expensive way of using woods, as solid wood became more expensive to buy, but veneering also allowed the cabinet maker to create more unusual effects from the different grains and figuring of the wood.
antique furniture that is veneered usually has a carcass made from a different wood like pine but some more expensive pieces of furniture were veneered onto a solid carcass to show different grain effects.

As cabinet making progressed in the Victorian period, more thin veneers came into use which saved them money but also gave them better ways of producing striking grained furniture like flamed mahogany.

Solid wood antique furniture is usually the better quality pieces and can be mainly seen in the earlier pieces like in the Georgian period but the late Victorians also built solid wood antique furniture called arts and crafts antique furniture.

Types of Antique Pedestal Dining Tables

Antique dining tables come in lots of different styles and forms. A very nice version of an antique dining table is antique pedestal tables. They mainly come in two different styles and were built for different purposes but today are used for the same thing, a dining table. They are an antique breakfast table and an antique pedestal dining table. The antique breakfast table is a table standing on a single pedestal and can be tilted, so it can be put away to the corner or side of a room which is very handy. A pedestal dining table is a dining table which usually stands on at least two pedestals and can be split into several smaller side tables when not in use. It can also be extended to different sizes dependant on how many guests are coming, it is a very useful piece of antique furniture.

These types of tables come in periods from the goergian, regency, William IV, Victorian and Edwardian periods.

We currently have some beautiful examples for sale.

We have a beautiful antique Regency rosewood breakfast table with a circular top. The top tilts and has a brass mechanism and the piece stands on pedestal with quadriform base and turned feet.

We also have a Victorian mahogany antique dining table with an oval moulded top above a tapering octagonal pedestal with beautifully scrolled carved tripod legs.

Also we have an antique edwardian mahogany extending dining table with one removable leaf and stands on a beautiful turned pedestal with four splayed legs and brass castors.

They are all very nice and useful antique tables.

What is an Antique Dumb Waiter?

An antique dumb waiter is a side table that would have been used for placing food before serving in your dining room. Antique dumb waiters did sometimes come in matching pairs in the larger very grand houses and sometimes were made to match the other items of antique dining room furniture. When the meal was finished the ladies of the house would go into a different room and the men would have the antique dumb waiter put at either end of the table by the footmen and they would then be used for displaying and holding the alcoholic drink. This way the gentlemen of the house could help themselves without too much exertion and the conversation could open up more, hence the name dumb waiter.

Most antique dumb waiters got split up over the years therefore it is very difficult to find a matching pair but we do get some very nice single examples in stock. We currently have a beautiful example for sale and it is a stunning piece of antique furniture. It is from the early Victorian period and is constructed from the best quality mahogany. This stunning antique server table / dumb waiter has three graduating solid mahogany tiers and beautifully carved side supports. The server has two lower drawers and stands on four splayed legs. It is a deep rich red colour and would look stunning in any home. 

Antique Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian Furniture.

Antique Georgian furniture is from 1714 – 1811 and comes in three different periods

George I, George II and George III

In George I period of antique furniture was similar to the Queen Anne period but with slight differences. Some of the differences were the replacement of walnut with mahogany as it was a very strong timber and was long lasting, it also gives a rich dark red colour and this was a very popular colour of the time.

In the later Georgian period Britain got wealthier and more middle class people wanted the better pieces of furniture. This produced some very good cabinet makers like Chippendale, Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.

Antique regency furniture 1812 – 1830 was very fine looking with elegant small carvings (Like lion carved feet) and lots of pieces were in the neoclassical style. The cabinet makers got their inspiration from the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. Regency furniture was elegant, plain, slender and beautiful. brass work was used with woods like rosewood and zebrawood, because they liked the striking use of colour in veneers and the furniture was always well constructed using quality timbers and beautifully finished.

Antique Victorian Furniture 1837 – 1901 was produced under the rain of Queen Victoria and the biggest influence was the comfort factor. middle class homes was in a boom therefore the demand for furniture was great. Victorian furniture was made from many older copied styles, and also the earlier pieces was constructed to look imposing, rounded, lots of ornament, carved decoration and curving with a high gloss French polished finish. Woods used was mainly mahogany, oak and rosewood.

Antique Edwardian Furniture 1901 – 1910 was more mass produced furniture but still good quality. They used many older styles and mahogany and oak was mainly used with some decorative inlays.

Whatever period you are looking for we stock them all from antique georgian, regency furniture, victorian furniture and edwardian furniture.

Thomas Chippendale Style antique furniture

Thomas Chippendale was a famous cabinet maker and furniture designer in the 18th century. He was born in 1718 in Otley, West Yorkshire and was a son of carpenter John Chippendale who taught him all he knew about cabinet making and furniture making.

In 1754 Thomas Chippendale published his collection of antique furniture that he had designed and his designs became well known throughout country bringing him fame. The book was called the ‘Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Directory’

Most of Chippendale antique furniture was made of good quality mahogany.

Today to get a period Chippendale piece of antique furniture can be very, very expensive but a good alternative is Victorian and Edwardian Chippendale style pieces of antique furniture. The Chippendale styles were so popular they were copied for years after he died and there was a Chippendale revival in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. This is a much more reasonable way to buy and the Chippendale design and they are still very reasonable to buy, the construction is usually very good and they are built from very good mahogany so will last many, many more years of use.

We have some very good examples of Chippendale Style antique furniture for sale.

We have a beautiful set of six Victorian walnut Chippendale style antique dining chairs. This set of antique chairs have shaped backs, pierced shaped back splats, stand on splayed back legs and have cabriole front legs with pad feet.

A different example we have for sale is a pair of Victorian carver armchairs in a Chippendale style. These antique chairs have shaped backs with beautifully scrolled, pierced back splats, scrolled shaped arms, stand on splayed back legs, squared front legs and have H stretchers for added stability.

We also get tables, display cabinets sideboards all in the Chippendale Style so please keep checking our website daily for newly added antiques.

Hints and tips for buying antique furniture

Would you like to buy antique furniture but you do not know where to start, well here are a few hints and tips to help you get started. The main thing I would suggest is to firstly buy what you like the look of and what suits your lifestyle best. Buy useful pieces of furniture so not only will it look good but it can have a purpose and be used on a daily basis. Dependant on where you buy from always buy the very best you can afford but do not go direct to an antique shop in central London or you might be buying at an inflated price. Only buy antique furniture from reputable dealers with years of experience like us at Driscolls antiques as we have been established for many years and we only deal in quality antique furniture items. If you stick to these guidelines then your investment will continue to grow, not only in value but also in years of use.

Antique furniture covers lots of different styles, designs, periods and woods and if you are not sure the style or period you are looking for then contact us for advice.

I would always stick to buying English antique furniture as English cabinet makers were in my opinion the best and used very good quality timbers for construction.

There are lots of different types of woods used in antique furniture like mahogany, walnut, oak, pine and rosewood and the wood can significantly affect the value of a piece.

The handles, escutcheons and metal work on furniture along with the construction are also very important factors in determining value of furniture and also a main factor is the originality of a piece. If you buy from a reputable dealer do not be scared of asking if there are any alterations and he should talk you through the piece but we always do full descriptions on our website and describe alterations, repairs etc.

Try to buy pieces in the original finish and do not worry about old marks and small old repairs as this is to be expected in an old piece of furniture and it adds to the character, this is the beauty of antique furniture. Make sure the furniture comes with a nice patina (this builds up over many years)

Speak to us if you are unsure as we have lots of quality pieces of antique furniture for sale and we will gladly help you on your way towards your collection of quality antique furniture.

What are the different types of antique pedestal desks ?

There are lots of different types of antique pedestal desks and they are a very useful form of an antique desk. It is basically an antique desk with drawers down either side of a central knee hole. Sometimes they come with a leather top or faux leather writing insert. This type of antique desk came into existence in the mid 1600s and have become more and more popular over the years following due to the fact they are extremely useful pieces of antique furniture.

One form of an antique pedestal desk is an antique partners desk, which is in the same form but much larger and have drawers or cupboards on both sides so two people can use it at the same time.

Other types of antique pedestal desks are much more grand looking and one type is an antique dickens desk. This type of antique desk can come with lots of small interesting drawers, a writing slope and swinging locking flaps.

Most antique desks have lots of drawer space so are very useful and work very well with modern use such as computer desks.

If the drawer linings in an antique desk are mahogany lined rather than pine lined then this is a sign of quality, also some Victorian desks have castors so the desks can be moved around easily.

antique desks would have been used for the same purpose as they will be used today, for writing and in most businesses and homes there would have been an antique writing desk as writing was a big part of life, as it is today.

The latest desks we currently have for sale are antique Victorian walnut twin pedestal desk, Georgian mahogany writing desk / office desk, Victorian mahogany cylinder top desk / writing desk, Victorian mahogany desk and an antique Edwardian mahogany desk.

Antique Coffers, Mule Chests and storage boxes

antique coffers are plain and simple in design but were well constructed boxes. An antique coffer would usually be constructed from planks of solid oak and has a hinged lid. Period antique coffers were constructed in the 17^th century and early 18^th century and were of pegged construction or old clout nails were used. They are very simply made but very strong and well made as they are solid very thick oak and they are also very useful as they produce very good storage and also a surface for sitting or using as a side table. Antique coffers were originally used for storing goods such as bedding silver and they were also used for transporting goods. They doubled up to be used as a seat or side table. Some antique coffers have very simple carved decoration but on occasion some are very heavily carved and this is usually because of later carving in the Victorian period.

There were other antique coffers designed for other uses like a domed topped coffer which is a coffer that has a dome shaped lid which can be removed and reversed for kneading dough.

an antique mule chest is a version of a coffer but with drawers below and would have been used for storing livery goods.

Antique coffers and antique mule chests are mainly used today for storing bedding, linen or also they make a very good coffee table. Driscolls antiques always has a good selection of antique furniture including good quality period antique coffers.