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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Antique Victorian Quality Silver Plated Tantalus

Antique Victorian quality silver plated tantalus having a quality silver plated tantalus with a carr...

Pair of Antique Staffordshire Flat Back Figures on Horseback

Pair of antique Staffordshire flat back figures on horseback being a ‘going to market’ subject and ‘...

Antique George III Quality Ornate Copper Samovar/Tea Urn

Antique George III quality ornate copper samovar/tea urn having a quality copper ornate samovar with...

Antique Victorian Brass Fender

Antique Victorian brass fender crafted in solid brass and having a reeded and bobbin shaped design w...

Outstanding Quality Small Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Tea Tray

Outstanding quality small antique Edwardian silver plated tea tray having a pretty pierced gallery w...

Large Antique Edwardian Quality Carved Linden Wood Japanese Bear Carrying a Fish

Large antique Edwardian quality carved linden wood Japanese bear carrying a fish having a large Japa...

Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Silver Plated Tea Tray by Elkington & Co.

Outstanding quality antique Victorian silver plated tea tray having a pretty ornate edge with two ca...

Unusual large Antique Edwardian Japanese Carved Linden Wood Bear

Unusual large Antique Edwardian Japanese carved linden wood bear having two bears standing on carved...

Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Butlers Tray on Stand

Antique Edwardian quality mahogany butlers tray on stand having a quality mahogany lift off tray wit...

Antique Regency Quality Figured Mahogany Freestanding Wine Cooler

Antique Regency quality figured mahogany freestanding wine cooler having a quality figured mahogany...

Unusual Antique George III Quality Mahogany Free Standing Coaster/Bottle Stand

Unusual antique George III quality mahogany free standing coaster/bottle stand having a quality maho...

Large Antique Bronze Study of a Nude Male on Horseback

Large antique bronze study of a nude male on horseback having an unconscious man draped across the h...

Large Magnificent Antique Pair of Carved Mahogany Urns

Large magnificent antique pair of carved mahogany urns having profusely carved lift off lids with a...

Exceptional Quality Antique C.Bechstein Victorian Rosewood Boudoir Grand Piano Model V (1898)

Exceptional quality antique C.Bechstein Victorian rosewood boudoir grand piano Model V (1898) having...

Fine Pair of Large Antique Edwardian Quality Carved White Marble Fireplaces

Fine pair of large antique Edwardian quality carved white marble fireplaces having an inverted break...

Antique Victorian Quality Brass Skimmer

Antique Victorian quality brass skimmer having a shaped handle attached to a round brass skinner wit...

Antique Victorian Brass Chestnut Roaster

Antique Victorian brass chestnut roaster having a brass handle attached to an oval shaped chestnut r...

Antique Edwardian Quality Brass Helmet Shaped Coal Shuttle

Antique Edwardian quality brass helmet shaped coal shuttle having a quality brass helmet shaped coal...

Antique Edwardian Quality Copper and Brass Helmet Shaped Coal Scuttle

Antique Edwardian quality copper and brass helmet shaped coal shuttle  having quality brass carryin...

Superb Quality Antique Victorian 4 Tier Rosewood Corner Whatnot

Superb quality antique Victorian 4 tier rosewood corner whatnot having a superb quality carved rosew...

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.