Antique Miscellaneous

Some of the most interesting antiques are the ones that don't fit neatly into any single category. This is where you'll find walking canes, scientific instruments, globes, architectural salvage, garden antiques, kitchenalia, treen, metalware and all manner of decorative curiosities.

These are the pieces that catch your eye, start conversations and make a home uniquely personal. Browse our miscellaneous collection for unexpected treasures from dealers across the UK.

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Victorian Rosewood Corner Whatnot

For sale is a good quality Victorian rosewood corner whatnot, having a fretwork gallery to the top t...

A Rare Louis Vuitton George V & Queen Mary 25 Year Anniversary Trunk

A rare Louis Vuitton George V & Queen Mary 25 year anniversary trunk. In very good, original and unr...

Butlers Tray On Folding Stand

A 19th Century mahogany folding butlers tray on stand, the rectangular paneled tray of well selected...

A Rosewood Whatnot Of Superior Quality

A whatnot of superior quality. In lovely rosewood with crisply turned supports and retaining its ori...

Fine English Satinwood Kidney Desk

A superb English kidney desk of nine drawers, all with gilt brass swan handles, veneered in the fine...

19th Century Anglo Indian carved sofa

A superb quality 19th Century Anglo Indian carved sofa, the shaped back profusely carved with variou...

Early 19th Century mahogany brass bound bucket

Early 19th Century mahogany brass bound backet of circular form tapering down towards the bottom, go...

19th Century inlaid satinwood tray

A highly decorative 19th Century inlaid satinwood tray of oval form, having a raised gallery with br...

18th Century oak dough bin

A nice quality 18th Century oak dough bin, the main body section having a lift off lid to reveal a l...

A pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks

A pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks, having turned and shaped columns raised on a square platf...

A pair of brass Georgian candlesticks

A fine pair of early 19th Century brass candlesticks, having elegant turned and reeded columns raise...

18th Century French walnut wine cooler

18th Century French walnut wine cooler / planter, the shaped structure having intricate carving arou...

19th Century Italian carved walnut torcher

19th Century Italian wonderfully carved walnut torcher / stand depicting a boy holding a bunch of gr...

19th Century burr walnut whatnot

19th Century burr walnut three tier whatnot, the top tier having a pierced carved gallery and turned...

19th Century black forest carving of a fox

A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the...

19th Century black forest carving

A wonderful and unique 19th Century black forest carving of an elderly man sitting on a tree trunk h...

19th Century Chinese table screen

A highly decorative 19th Century Chinese hardwood table screen consisting of three shaped panels, ea...

Early 20th Century Chinese folding screen

A highly decorative early 20th Century Chinese folding screen / divider consisting of seven panels,...

19th Century French Walnut Brass Inlaid Etagere

For sale is a good quality 19th century French walnut brass inlaid etagere, with a brass galleried t...

French Rococo Style Bronze & Gilt Chenets by Charles Casier

An impressive pair of French bronze and bronze gilt rococo style pierced antique chenet fire dogs wi...

Victorian Cast Iron Stick Stand By Falkirk Foundry

An ornate late 19th-century cast iron stick and umbrella stand by the renowned Falkirk Iron Company...

A Rare Apprentice Miniature Dutch Marquetry Cabinet Piece c1800

A Rare Miniature Dutch Bombe Marquetry Cabinet c1800 in walnut with key. This piece usually classifi...

18Th Century Walnut Strong Box

An 18th century walnut strong box with decorative steel strap work, carrying handles and lock plates...

Canterbury

A very usefully sized Canterbury to tidy up all your paper and magazine collections. Showing element...

Good Quality 19th Century Mahogany Canterbury

This good quality 19th Century Mahogany Canterbury, would be just the thing to tidy up all your loos...

Screen

18th century Anglo-Dutch painted leather screen in country house condition. This screen was most lik...

Pair Of Ebonised Highly Decorative Torcheres

This Pair Of Ebonised Highly Decorative Torcheres would make a statement wherever they were placed i...

19thC Pair Of Brass Candelabra

This 19thC Pair Of Brass Candelabra have lots of lovely design details to enjoy. Standing on elegant...

Antique Rosewood Games Table With Fold Over Lid

This antique rosewood games table boasts a fold-over lid and card-playing area, perfect for enjoying...

William IV Mahohgany Buffet by T Willson of London

A fine quality William IV period by T. Willson of Great Queen Street, London (stamped to the rear)....

Arts & Crafts Brass Club Fender

Elevate your fireplace with this exquisite Arts & Crafts brass club fender, a timeless piece blendin...

Victorian Brass Coal Scuttle/Bucket

This good quality Victorian Brass Coal Scuttle/Bucket would make a good focal point by the fire or i...

Pair Of Inlaid Rosewood Tazzas On Stands

This Pair Of Inlaid Rosewood Tazzas On Stands are of wonderful quality and design. Standing on highl...

Tall Pair of Burr Walnut Pedestal Cupboards

A bold and impressive pair of burr walnut pedestal cupboards in the queen Anne style. Of large size...

French Bronze & Gilt Rococo Style Chenets

An impressive pair of French bronze and bronze gilt rococo style pierced antique chenet fire dogs wi...

French Art Nouveau Enameled Umbrella Stand – Stick Stand

Stylish French, Art Nouveau cast iron umbrella stand of organic design, having original drip tray an...

French Art Nouveau Stick Stand

French Art Nouveau umbrella stand of flowing organic form. This antique hall stand retains original...

Shoolbred and Co. Walnut Hall Cupboard

A late Victorian walnut hall cupboard and stick stand by Jas Shoolbred and Co of London. Of excellen...

Arts and Crafts Period Inlaid Mahogany Hall Stand

A splendid hall stand from the Arts and Crafts period. Of excellent construction in solid mahogany a...

Victorian Cast Iron Hall Stand in the manner of Christopher Dresser

Very stylish English Victorian cast iron hall stand / coat stand in the manner of Christopher Dresse...

Superb Victorian Umbrella Stand

Very unusual Victorian brass umbrella stand with six divisions, finials and decorative fretwork to t...

19thc Mahogany Library Steps

This Set of 19thc Mahogany Library Steps are of a good chunky design. Standing on good sized finely...

Mahogany Display Pedestal

This Mahogany Display Pedestal offers plenty of potential to display your sculpture or indeed a good...

English Victorian Demi Lune Umbrella Stand

English Victorian brass umbrella stand or walking stick stand with five divisions, three decorative...

Victorian Brass Fender Set

A lovely late Victorian period brass fender set. Comprising of the fender along with its original se...

The Joy of the Unexpected

The miscellaneous section of any antiques dealer's stock is often the most rewarding to browse. It's where you find the pieces that were made for a specific purpose that may no longer exist, objects whose beauty lies in their form rather than their function, and curiosities that simply demand to be picked up and examined.

Treen, the collective term for small wooden objects, is a particularly rich area. Butter moulds, snuff boxes, loving cups, carved animals and needle cases were all made by hand, often as one-off pieces, and have an immediate tactile appeal. Fruitwood, boxwood and lignum vitae are the most commonly used timbers.

Decorating with Antique Curiosities

Collections of small antiques displayed together create far more visual impact than any single item. Group objects by material, colour or theme: a collection of brass candlesticks, a shelf of treen, a display of antique scales and weights. The effect is personal, layered and infinitely more interesting than anything a interior designer might specify from a catalogue.

Architectural antiques such as corbels, finials, door knockers and iron boot scrapers can be used both inside and outside the home. A pair of reclaimed stone finials flanking a garden path, or an antique iron boot scraper by the front door, adds character that cannot be bought new.

Building a Collection

Many passionate collectors started with a single interesting object bought on impulse. Follow your instincts: if something appeals to you, it probably appeals to others too, and good quality unusual antiques tend to hold their value well. Buy the best you can afford and enjoy the hunt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treen is the collective term for small domestic objects made from wood. The word comes from the Old English for "of a tree." Examples include bowls, platters, spoons, boxes, goblets and numerous other items made by hand from various timbers. Treen collecting is a well-established field with a dedicated following.

Scientific instruments can be very collectible. Brass telescopes, microscopes, sextants, compasses and drawing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries are all sought after. Pieces by known makers such as Dollond, Negretti & Zambra, or Elliott Brothers command the highest prices.

Check the condition and completeness of the piece. Ironwork should be examined for cracks and excessive rust. Stone and marble items should be checked for repairs or hidden damage. Provenance, while not always available, adds interest and can increase value.