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.
Antique 19th Century French Set of Four Copper Pans
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Cut Glass Decanter
Antique Victorian Quality Brass and Copper Coal Bucket
Set of Antique Victorian Quality Brass Fire Irons
Antique George III Quality Coal Scuttle
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Antique 19th Century French Set of Four Copper Pans
Three Antique Victorian Copper Pans
Antique Victorian Staffordshire Flatback Figure
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Rosewood Pole Screen
Pair of Antique Edwardian Quality Cut Glass Decanters
Tall Mahogany Stand
Antique Victorian Quality Ornate Brass Fender
Antique Victorian Staffordshire Flatback Figure
Antique Victorian Staffordshire Flatback House
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Antique Victorian Staffordshire Flatback Figure in Military Dress
Antique Pair of Victorian Bretby Art Pottery Bamboo and Stork Vases
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Silver Plated Cruet Set
Antique Edwardian Quality Porcelain and Brass Centrepiece
Antique Edwardian Quality Sheffield Plated Engraved Tea Tray
Antique Edwardian Quality Silver Plated Serving Dish by Mappin & Webb
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.