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Grace

Specialist in paintings and sculptures

"I was educated at Sotheby's and spent some time working as a researcher for Christie's, so I know what the world's leading auction houses are looking for and can determine the fair market value of your item, based on current demand. Mearto is unique because - after we appraise your item - we can also help you sell it through one of our auction house partners."

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Upload photos and describe your item

Describe your item and upload a few good photos of your item. It is important that we receive as much information as possible to give you the most accurate appraisal.

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A qualified specialist will look at your item and make all the necessary research. He/she might ask you for additional information, but you will be notified by email.

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What is my Cabinet worth

Cabinet making is an art with a long history. There is no better proof of this than the antique cabinets that are coveted today by antique collectors.

Despite the advent of modern designs, antique-style cabinets provide that vintage and classic element to any home décor. This makes them highly coveted not only for the value as an antique but also for the aesthetic value they add to your home.
 
Want to know the value of your an antique cabinet? Or do you have an antique cabinet that you are looking to sell?

Determining the value of your antique cabinet is not easy. You need to understand the variables that go into its valuation process. You can learn more about that process below or submit your item for a cabinet appraisal

Recently appraised on Mearto

Cabinet 18 Oct, 2019
Desk
Wood
Estimate: $150 - $200
Cabinet 27 Sep, 2019
French marquetry inlaid cabinet
Can be separated into three pieces. Very large. Original hardware.
Estimate: $700 - $1,000
Cabinet 19 Sep, 2019
Antique 5-tier globe business cabinet
ANTIQUE 5-TIER GLOBE BUSINESS CABINET 18 September 2019 GENERAL DESCRIPTION This is an oak cabinet with the name “Globe .” printed in gold colored letters on the front of the top piece of the unit. No printing or other identification appears anywhere else on the unit. The unit (all pieces) is 41 ¼ “ wide and stands 66 “, top to floor. Tier 1 is a 2-drawer base piece that sits on the floor. It is 17“deep and 10” high. Tier 2 is a 7-drawer piece presumably used for filing. It is 17” deep and 13” high. Tier 3 is a 12- drawer piece 17” deep and 13” high. Tier 4 and 5 form a 2-piece bookcase stack 12 ¾ “deep and 13” high (each bookcase). The top piece fits on top of the top bookcase. It is a nominal 12 ¾ “deep and 3 ½” high. Because the bookcases have less depth than the pieces below it, 4 ¼ “ shelf is created between Tier 3 and Tier 4. The unit was easily disassembled and reassembled for cleaning and pictures. The two bookcases can be interchanged; likewise for Tiers 2 and 3. MORE DETAILS (all Tiers are a nominal 41 ¼ wide) Tier 1…2- Drawer Base Piece (17d x 10h). Each of the two drawers is a nominal 19 ¾ w x 5h x 16d and can be interchanged. Tier 2…7-Drawer Piece (17d x 13h). Each drawer is a nominal 11 1/4h x 5 1/4w x 16 ¾ d and has a horizontal side rail running on each side of the drawer and a slide rail groove along the bottom of the drawer for a “files tightener.” Only one of the 7 possible tighteners exists. The 7 drawers are interchangeable Tier 3…12-Drawer Piece (17d x 13h). The drawers are arranged in two side-by-side stacks of 6 drawers each. Each drawer is a nominal 19 1/4 w x 1 1/2h x 15 1/2 deep and each has an easily removed wooden divider down its middle; four of the 12 dividers are missing. Also, each drawer has two 1” dia holes drilled on its floor. All drawers are interchangeable. Tiers 4 and 5.Bookcases (12 ¾ d x 13h). Bookcases are essential identical except that in Tier 5, the groove for the glass door slider is made of metal; the grove in Tier4 is made of wood. Top Piece…The “Globe .” is well centered on the top edge of the piece (there is a “.” after the word “Globe.” COMMENTS The unit is very similar in design and build to something that would have been built by the Globe-Wernicke Company, well known for its high-quality furniture during the early 1900s. However, there is no “G-W” sticker, or any other identification apparent anywhere on any of the pieces of the unit. This could suggest that this unit was actually manufactured by the original Globe Company before Globe bought Wernicke in 1899. The unit is in good shape, even considering the irregularities listed below. All the hardware and handles are in place and generally tight. A few nails are a little loose here and there, and one is missing. He unit is very attractive and immediately noticed by people aware of quality furniture. IRREGULARITIES • Only one of the 7 “file tighteners” exists for the Tier 2 component. • Four of the 12 dividers for the Tier 3 drawers are missing. • One of the grooves for the glass door slider on one of the bookcases is made of metal. This suggests that sometime during its life, the bookcase needed repair. • There are water rings and a small bald spot on the floor of the upper bookcase. • There is white paint, or something similar, on the edge of one of the Tier 1 drawers. This is very noticeable. An expert can probably remove this with good success. • There is some slight streaking on the top of the Top Piece. • Some of the nails are slightly lose, but there is no missing hardware. • There is some spotting and wear, particularly near the bottom of the unit. This is minor, particularly considering the probable age of the unit. BACKGROUND This unit came from the home of my aunt and uncle who have been deceased for almost 20 years. I recently acquired the home and its contents and realized that this unit and a few other items in the home may have significant antique value. Where and when my aunt and uncle acquired the Globe unit is unknown for certain, but there is some indication that they acquired the unit while living in the Omaha, Nebraska area in 1956. They moved to New Mexico (the current location) shortly after that and evidently took the unit with them. The unit was always protected from the environment, but never “packed away.” END
Estimate: $800 - $1,600
Cabinet 14 Sep, 2019
Secretariats desk
Not sure if the wood but it is but it is 36 wide 70 tall and 14 deep
Estimate: $200 - $400
Cabinet 12 Sep, 2019
Dining cabinet
71 inches tall; 42 inches wide; and 12.5 inches deep.
Estimate: $400 - $600
Cabinet 2 Sep, 2019
Chinese cabinet
Wood cabinet beautiful carvings. 41in tall, 16in wide, 34in across. Chinese exchange student said the carving looked like an old Chinese coin Front carvings looks like a metal maybe bronze.
Estimate: €250 - €350
Cabinet 21 Aug, 2019
Mid-twentieth century japanese bamboo veneer sideboard
13. Mid-Twentieth Century Japanese Bamboo Veneer Sideboard. My wife’s grandparents purchased this when stationed in Japan in the mid-1950’s. Condition is fair with the bamboo veneer. Structurally, the cabinet is sound. Several bamboo veneer pieces have been lost on the sides as photos show. Ornate scalloped inlay designs throughout. Measures: 36”w x 18”d x 45-1/2”h.
Estimate: $200 - $300
Cabinet 3 Aug, 2019
Baker's rack
This piece appears have been recently painted. Its a 2 piece baker's rack. The top doesn't attach to the bottom. Between the 2 pieces a metal "table" slides out. There is 3 cabinets on the top and 3 drawers and 1 cabinet space on the bottom. Also, on the top is a space that is covered by a rolltop type door. The total height is 77". The height of the bottom piece is 44". The width is 42". The top is 22 1/2" deep, the bottom is 25" deep. There doesn't appear to be any markings.
Estimate: $400 - $600
Cabinet 3 Aug, 2019
2 pieces granite and wood
these pieces look like they go together. one piece looks like what I would call a serving table. Solid granite top, 3 drawers that are noted in picture but there is a 4th drawer "hidden" drawer at the very bottom. The dimensions are 46" wide, 36" height and 22" deep. The is intricately carved wooden and solid about 1" thick. The small table has a granite top that sits on the base without attaching. The dimensions are 29" wide, 22 1/2" height and 22 1/2" wide. The base has more carving design than the serving table. The granite top for the table doesn't attach either
Estimate: $500 - $800
Cabinet 1 Aug, 2019
Jelly cabinet
This cabinet stands 38” tall, 22” wide, and the depth is 10”. The hinges are stamped with a logo from a company in England. The iron stand it sits on has Canada written into the iron
Estimate: $300 - $500
Cabinet 28 Jul, 2019
Inlaid mahogany dresser serpentine
Inlaid mahogany dresser Serpentine front and sides measures 47in wide , 32 in High and 23 in Depth It is all inlaid with Metal figures on the corners It has a removeable Marble Top. It is in very good condition
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Cabinet 21 Jul, 2019
Wooden cabinet with table
This is a 2 piece cabinet set. The cabinet sits loosely on the table unattached. Both pieces are wood. I do know that they are at least 50 years old because my father had them when I was a small child. Cabinet dimensions 41" wide, 45" tall, 12" deep and each piece of wood is 1" thick with the shelves being 1/2" thick. There are 2 doors that lock, the lock mechanism still works and I have the key. The key is an antique style skeleton key. There is a smaller door inside the cabinet that also locks with the same key. The door to the small space is not square, it a decorative cut. There is a 4" molding around the top of the cabinet. The table the cabinet sits on is wood with 4 spindle legs and one drawer. The dimensions on the table alone are 43.5" wide, 29" tall, 20.5" deep and each piece of wood is 1" thick with the shelves being 1/2" thick. This is my first piece that I am trying to describe so obviously I don't know what you need. There is no design on the cabinet or table, it very plain. No markings could be found. We even pulled out the drawer as advised. The knobs on the cabinet and drawer are wood.
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Cabinet Appraisals

Antique Cabinets 101

Antique cabinets are available in a wide range of styles and types (more about this below). The design of each cabinet is intended for its purpose and function. Hence, it would be easy to identify what the antique cabinets are used for based on their design. Over the years, there have been numerous styles introduced by cabinet manufacturers and makers. Some are designed specifically for the aesthetic value they bring into a living space, such as within your home. If you want to bring that vintage vibe to your interior home design, these pieces can get the trick done.
 
The earliest cabinets that were manufactured were designed to store papers and other valuable items. In addition, some cabinets have desks on them too, to provide a writing surface. The addition of drawers on newer styles was a practical solution introduced to combat the challenges of accessing storage from the top. Over the years, the raised chest height was developed in order to eliminate the need to bend down to access the content of the drawers.
 
Even though cabinets were intended for a specific purpose, they showcase excellent craftsmanship of the maker. In fact, cabinets are highly regarded in the woodwork industry. There are plenty of skills involved in making cabinets such as carving, marquetry, inlaying, and veneering. The industrial period is when the cabinets flourished and production grew.

How to Identify Antique Cabinets

Antique cabinets have a history that date back to the 17th century. Since then, there have been different manufacturers and styles that are introduced into the market over the years. If you own an old cabinet that had been handed down from several generations, you could have an antique in your hands. But how do you identify if it is indeed antique and rare? The age of the cabinet is not enough proof of its value.
 
The first thing you need to do in order to identify your antique cabinet is to physically inspect it. Check if there is patina on the drawer pulls. If there are, then your cabinet is an antique. The presence of the patina means that the cabinet has been used for decades – you won’t find this same characteristic in newer cabinets. The feet of the cabinet could also show some signs of scuffing. The paint might also look dull at this point.
 
You should also inspect the back side of the cabinet. Look for a paper label or any signature. A signature is an essential factor in identifying antique cabinets (and also determines its market value). The signature would indicate the name of the craftsman. In some cases, you will get the name of the manufacturer. Using this piece of information, you will be able to determine where and when the cabinet was made.
 
It is important that you take clear photographs of the cabinet. If there are any signatures, you should include a photograph of that as well. This will help appraisers and antique dealers to be able to determine the value of the item when you take it for an appraisal.
 
Physical inspection and the signs of age could be a significant indicator that the cabinet is antique. Make sure you have them checked by a professional appraiser to ensure that the cabinet is not a modern reproduction.

Types of Antique Cabinets

Over the years, there have been many types of antique cabinets developed in the industry. Here are some of the most notable types:
 

  • Apothecary Cabinets: This type of antique cabinet is all about the style and functionality. Depending on which period it was manufactured, you can select from multiple styles to suit your preference. The name is derived from the fact that the earliest types of this cabinet were used to hold herbs and other forms of remedies.
  • Bedside Cabinets: A bedside cabinet is basically that – one that is used on the side of your bed. This type of table typically comes in a pair that will be placed on each side of the bed. 
  • Bow Front Cabinets: A bow front cabinet is one of the oldest styles available. It is a practical piece of furniture as it helps to utilize any excess space on corners. It is placed against a wall and comes with plenty of storage space due to the bow fronted design. 
  • Cocktail Cabinets: This is one type of antique cabinet that is considered a rarity these days. It got its name from the fact that it is used for keeping glasses and bottles. 
  • Corner Cabinets: This antique cabinet is a bit similar to bow front cabinets in that they are used for placing on corners. They are typically used for storage purposes although certain styles can also give an aesthetic addition to a room. The main difference with bow fronted cabinets is that corner cabinets do not have that bow front style. 
  • Display Cabinets: Display cabinets are one of the most common types of antique cabinets available. It is used for displaying various items from your collection. Most display cabinets come with a glass case.
  • Filing Cabinets: Filing cabinets were manufactured for a functional purpose of storing items and other valuables. It is characterized by the presence of shelves and drawers on the front. These drawers are added to provide adequate space for storing items inside.

How Much Are Antique Cabinets Worth?

When valuing antique cabinets, expert appraisers will consider the age of the item, initially. Therefore, it is important to have proof or documentation as to the origin of the cabinet so you can prove when it was made. The older the item is, the higher the potential value is.
 
The style is also an important consideration. When appraising antique cabinets, expert appraisers will look for styles that are not produced in large volume. The rarity of the antique cabinet style will make it more valuable to the eyes of potential antique buyers and collectors.
 
On the other hand, the originality of the antique cabinet’s condition is also important. Antique cabinets that are kept in their original state are typically more expensive than the ones that had been reproduced, or their parts or features had been altered.
 
Do you need to appraise your antique cabinet? Mearto has expert appraisers that specialize in furniture and other types of furnishings.

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