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.
Unusual Antique George III Quality Mahogany Free Standing Coaster/Bottle Stand
Large Magnificent Antique Pair of Carved Mahogany Urns
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Exceptional Quality Antique C.Bechstein Victorian Rosewood Boudoir Grand Piano Model V (1898)
Fine Pair of Large Antique Edwardian Quality Carved White Marble Fireplaces
Antique Victorian Quality Brass Skimmer
Antique Victorian Brass Chestnut Roaster
Antique Victorian Quality Copper and Brass Coal Bin
Antique Edwardian Quality Brass Helmet Shaped Coal Shuttle
Antique Edwardian Quality Copper and Brass Helmet Shaped Coal Scuttle
Superb Quality Antique Victorian 4 Tier Rosewood Corner Whatnot
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Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Brass Fire Dogs
Set of Quality Antique Victorian Brass Fire Irons and Dogs
Large Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Staffordshire Dogs
Set of Nine Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Oak Panels
Antique Victorian Quality Brass-Mounted Walnut Coal / Log Scuttle
Antique Victorian Quality Brass and Oak Magazine Stand
Antique Regency Rosewood Inlaid Writing Desk Set with Inkwells
Antique George III Copper Kettle
Antique Quality 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Letter Holder
Antique George III Quality Copper Kettle
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.