Driscolls Antiques – Antique Furniture Blog

The types of antique coffers we sell.

Antique coffers are very early pieces of antique furniture and here at Driscolls antiques have a vast stock of antique furniture and antique coffers for sale, mainly in oak and period.

This week have for sale two very nice, early examples.

We have an antique 17th Century period oak coffer with a rectangular moulded panelled lid above a moulded front with carved Tudor roses. The sides and back are panelled and the coffer has its original base boards. The coffer is of a pegged construction and is a very nice example for the period.

We also have a beautiful very small sized 18th century antique oak coffer with a moulded panelled lid above a panelled front, sides and back. The coffer stands on raised legs, is of a pegged construction and both antique coffers are very nice colours. It is amazing how such early pieces of antique furniture has survived for so long and are in such good condition for their age.

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The types of antique side tables

The antique side table was originally made to stand against the wall of a room, and would have been used for serving food. The antique side table has actually been around for a very long time and in fact there has been a version of the side table in existence since the 15th century as they were a development of the antique chest. The antique side table was a useful additional surface at mealtimes or for displaying not only food but also the prized ornaments.

From the 16^th century there were two different types of antique side table, there were the normal antique side tables for serving and there were the antique console tables which were a side table fixed to the wall and often had only two front legs. They would usually have beautifully carved supports and were taller than the normal side table; also occasionally they had mirror glass to the back underside to give the appearance of four legs, and often topped with marble. The antique pier tables were designed to stand in the pier, the space between two windows and were sometimes used to hold a candelabrum so the light is reflected into the room by a pier glass, or mirror, hung just above the table. We do stock lots of different styles of antique side tables in all woods and from all periods and as they are such useful pieces of antique furniture they do sell fast so if there aren’t any suitable, please let us know and we will contact you as soon as some more come in stock.

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  The types of antique bookcases we sell.

Driscolls antiques have a vast stock of antique furniture and we do get some very nice antique bookcases for sale in all different sizes from a small open bookcase to a large antique library bookcase in different sizes, woods and styles.

We currently have put up for sale some very different bookcases but are of all nice quality.

We have a large Edwardian antique Arts and Crafts oak open bookcase with a moulded front edge and is simple in design so is both attractive and practical for a large book collection.

For a smaller piece we have a small antique Edwardian mahogany waterfall open bookcase with a shaped back above four shelves and waterfall sides.

If you need a bookcase with storage then look at our Regency mahogany bookcase on chest with a moulded cornice above a deep flamed mahogany frieze and two elegant astragal glazed doors and a bow fronted chest with cock beaded drawers, turned handles and stands on four beautiful splayed bracket feet.

We have for sale a Victorian walnut glazed bookcase with a single glazed door .

Or for duel purpose look at our mahogany bureau bookcase with glazed doors, a moulded fall front and fitted interior. The bookcase has a mahogany lined drawer with original brass swan neck handles above two cupboard doors with raised fielded central panels. So this stores books and is also a writing desk.

Earlier bookcases come in the form of our antique Georgian mahogany bookcase with swan neck pediment and full length astragal glazed doors or finally we have a very nice, fine large antique Victorian mahogany open with adjustable shelves and the sides are reeded.

So as you can see we get lots of antique bookcases for sale and our stock changes very quickly so keep an eye on our website for newly added bookcases for sale.

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How the antique sideboard developed throughout history

As fashions change so did antique furniture to suite the trends of the day. Just like the antique dresser was a development from the antique side table, so too was the antique sideboard. In the better class homes in the Georgian period the antique side tables and the antique serving table was used in the dining room but the development of pedestals on either side of the serving table were introduced to create extra storage or to hold wine bottles or plates. For smaller homes this arrangement was not practical enough as there was lots of wasted space so this led to the development of the antique sideboard. antique sideboards came in many forms like straight, bow fronted or sometimes serpentine fronted. They had a shallow central drawer to hold cutlery and at either end a cupboard or deep drawer which when lined with lead and partitioned to hold wine bottles, is known as a cellaret. The other side would sometimes have sliding linen trays for napkins and table linen. In the regency period antique sideboards would often had a brass rail fitted along the back with curtains as they were hung from the rail to prevent food from being splashed on the wall when meals were served. Antique sideboards with pedestal ends remained popular throughout the Victorian and Edwardian periods over time a low backboard was added, which in time became higher and higher until mirrors were incorporated into the design to reflect light into the room. Eventually the space between pedestals was fully enclosed to provide further cupboard space and this was much more practical for smaller homes who needed as much storage space as possible. If you need an antique sideboard then our antique furniture website always displays lots of different variations for sale so please check out today for our latest stock.

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The types of antique chiffoniers we sell.

Here at Driscolls antiques we add new items of stock on our antique furniture website on a daily basis. We do get some very nice antique chiffoniers that can be used as sideboards, bookcases, small cupboards and they come in all different sizes, woods and styles.

Just recently we have put up for sale some very nice examples and they are of all different woods so there is something for all tastes.

We have an antique Regency country mahogany chiffonier with a raised shaped back with a shelf supported by beautiful turned columns. The lower section has a rectangular top above a frieze drawer, two cupboard doors with moulded panels and the sides have unusual circular turned motifs above turned pilasters. The chiffonier stands on small turned feet.

We also have an antique Victorian mahogany chiffonier bookcase which is very unusual and has a raised back with beautifully scrolled carvings, shelf and elegant turned supports. The lower section has a rectangular top above a frieze drawer and two glazed cupboard doors and the piece stands on a plain plinth.   

For an elegant piece we have an antique Regency rosewood chiffonier with beautiful scrolled carved back with an upper shelf and scrolled carved supports. The lower section has a rectangular top above a mahogany lined frieze drawer with a beautiful carved central motif. The chiffonier has two cupboard doors with moulding stands on a plain plinth.

For a more country rustic look we have a Victorian pollard oak chiffonier with a shaped raised back with a shelf and the lower section has a rectangular top above two frieze drawers, two cupboard doors with moulded panels and pilaster down both sides.

So you can see we have antique chiffoniers for all tastes and we always have a good selection to choose from.

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How Antique Chests Developed throughout History

The antique chest has changed dramatically over many centuries and the changes was brought about due to better tools, better cabinet makers and wealthier people caused a larger demand. The earliest form of antique chest was a box with rectangular top that opened and this was knows as an antique coffer, in fact the antique coffer is the earliest known type of antique furniture and some can be seen dated as far back as the 13th century which are made of planks of wood joined by primitive clout nails. The antique coffer was designed to be portable and therefore some have handles on the sides and some coffers were banded with iron for strength around the corners.

In the 15^th century the first antique chest started to appear and they were of panelled construction, with mortise and tenon joints held by pegged dowels (pegged construction).

Also the antique mule chest became available due to the coffer being impractical; as it is difficult to reach things stored at the bottom of the chest so antique mule chests were made with a fitted drawer in the base. By the 16th century drawers had become a common feature of furniture and the antique chest of drawers was becoming more and more popular. The antique chest of drawers was a most useful piece of storage furniture as it still is today. The antique chest of drawers could be seen in every room in the house and in the early 18th century chests of drawers were still plain in shape and rectangular, but from the mid to late 18^th century the serpentine shape was produced . The bow fronted antique chest of drawers did not emerge until the 1770s when it became a very popular piece of antique furniture and these new shapes influenced many other pieces of antique furniture in their design and construction.

The simple rectangular antique chest of drawers was the most popular design even in the Edwardian period. The antique chest of drawers is still today the most popular piece of antique furniture due to the practicality and they can be used in any room in the house. We always have a very good selection of antique chests for sale so please always check our website for the latest chests available.

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Unusual antique occasional tables in all sizes and woods.

Here at Driscolls antiques we get new items of stock on a daily basis and all of our items are quality pieces of antique furniture. We do get some very nice antique occasional tables that can be used as an antique occasional table or an antique lamp table or an antique wine table and they come in all different sizes, woods and styles. Here is the latest antiques occasional tables we have in stock and they are all available on our antique furniture website.

We have an antique Edwardian inlaid occasional with an octagonal mahogany moulded top with satin wood cross banding, box wood and ebony string inlay and a striking sunburst inlaid centre. The antique table stands on four tapering legs with a moulded lower tier and all have satin wood cross banding and box wood and ebony string inlay.

We also have an antique Edwardian mahogany inlaid occasional lamp table with a circular top, striking segmented inlay of satinwood, box wood and ebony string inlay. The table has a circular frieze, stands on four tapering legs with a small lower tier and shaped brackets.

Or if you want an earlier table we have an antique Georgian mahogany tripod occasional table with a circular one piece solid mahogany top that tilts. The antique table stands on an elegant beautifully turned pedestal with tripod splayed legs and pad feet.

We also have an antique Victorian cross banded mahogany occasional with a shaped moulded top, satinwood cross banding and boxwood and ebony string inlay. The table stands on four tapering legs with spade feet and has a lower tier with four beautiful inlaid shaped brackets.

Finally we have an antique Victorian inlaid rosewood occasional table with an octagonal top which is beautifully inlaid above four elegant turned legs with black porcelain castors and a lower tier with a beautifully turned gallery.

So you can see we get a wide variation of smaller antique tables but also some are similar so they can be placed together in the same room. 

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  What to put in your antique wardrobes

We always have a good selection of quality antique furniture for sale and we also get a very good selection of antique wardrobes. But what should we put into our antique wardrobes? Well most people use them for their day to day clothing but recently I came across a very interesting website called Vintage Vixen Clothing http://www.vintagevixen.com
and you can shop and order online at this vintage clothing shop with over 6,000 men’s, women’s & childrens items from the Victorian era to the 1980s. This type of antique furniture would suite this clothing perfectly.

Our two latest wardrobes we have put up for sale are an antique Edwardian mahogany wardrobe with a moulded cornice above a deep frieze and two panelled doors with brass handle. It has has two graduating oak lined drawers with brass swan neck handles and stands on four tapering legs, has beautiful satinwood banding and boxwood and ebony string inlay around all the edges.

We also have an antique Victorian walnut wardrobe with a moulded cornice above a deep frieze and a central, bevelled mirrored door. The door is flanked by beautiful carved panels it has a deep lower drawer.

They are both beautiful pieces of antique furniture and would suite any home.

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19^th century antique furniture styles

In England the styles of antique furniture changed throughout the 19^th century. In the Regency period antique furniture was mainly neo classical in style but with influences from France and other countries this lead to chinoiserie painted furniture, French style rococo furniture and Gothic influences can also be seen. Napoleon’s ascendency meant that across Europe the Empire style was copied, and American furniture of the Federal period incorporated both French Epire and English Regency motifs as they both influenced the American tastes. In the mid 1800s the Biedermeier style of antique furniture was popular in Austria, Germany and in France and a more simple Empire style was created, using light coloured woods and more simple in design. The biggest influences of the regency period was the revival of older styles, such as Rococo, Greek and Gothic. In the Victorian periods the styles were more rounded and high gloss French polished finishes. Heavy carving became back into fashion and Furniture began to be constructed from the help of machinery. This led to some furniture designers and cabinetmakers leaning toward more traditional methods of construction like the Arts and Crafts furniture movement. This was antique cabinet makers against the mass production and wanted to use traditional methods of construction using quality timbers. The arts and crafts period emerged in Britain and America in the late 1800s. The Aesthetic movement in furniture was influenced by Japanese design and Art Nouveau but adding there own simple designs. It was fashionable from the 1880s to 1914 and many famous designers came from this period like Charles Rennie Mackintosh. We always have a good selection of quality 19^th century antique furniture including arts and crafts furniture so please always check our website for current stock.

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Is it wise to keep the original mirror with foxing?

Some antique mirrors can have marks, bitty marks, can look misty and darker patches behind the glass (on the silvering) and this is a term in the antiques trade called Foxing. So is it best to replace the mirror or is it best to keep the original mirror? It is always best to try to keep the original mirror if the foxing is not too bad and sometimes the foxing can add to the charm and character of the mirror, but if it is so bad that you cannot see your reflection then it would be worth re slivering or replacing the mirror with a good quality replacement mirror. Re silvering very time consuming and expensive technique but there are people who specialise in antique mirrors who can restore them for you. A method that is sometimes used in the antique furniture trade is to scrape all the old silvering off the back of the mirror and then get a very thin piece of thin modern mirror cut to the same shape, push the modern mirror onto the old glass it causes a vacuum effect and sticks to the old glass so then you can have the benefits of the old mirror but that is usable. You can see foxing on antique cheval mirrors, wardrobes and lots of other pieces of antique furniture. If we have some items you are interested in a piece of antique furniture but are worried about the condition of the mirror please contact us for help and advice as we can always look at restoring the mirror if you would prefer a clear mirror.

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