The antique sideboard comes in many different forms over the centuries and was originally designed for use in a dining room with your buffet or side server.
Just as the antique dresser developed from a side table, so too did the antique sideboard. In the upper and middle class homes in the mid 1700s, antique side tables and serving tables, were used in the dining room. Later, pedestals on either side of the serving table were introduced to create extra storage or to hold wine bottles or plates, this led to the pedestal sideboard.
This arrangement was not very practical in smaller middle class homes and so the pedestals became incorporated into the serving table and so the cupboard antique sideboard was born.
antique sideboards usually had six legs and were straight, bow fronted or sometimes serpentine fronted. They had a shallow central drawer to hold cutlery and at either end a cupboard or deep drawer which when lined with lead and partitioned to hold wine bottles, is known as a cellarette.
From the 1700s to the 1820s, antique sideboards often had a brass rail fitted along the back with curtains as they were hung from the rail to prevent food from being splashed on the wall when meals were served.
Antique sideboards with pedestal ends remained popular throughout the Victorian era, in many instances a low backboard was added, which in time became higher, and mirrors were incorporated into the design. Eventually the space between pedestals was fully enclosed to provide further cupboard space and this was much more practical.
Also new cupboard designs were made called antique chiffoniers, mainly constructed from Mahogany and Rosewood in smaller proportions with shapely backs.
The Edwardian and Victorian Cabinet makers were more inventive and produced new styles in figured woods such as Walnut or Oak. They produced more decorative sideboards like the antique credenza, a stunning piece of furniture designed to be very lively with the use figured woods and brass fittings. It takes its name from a 15th century Italian buffet and is distinguished by the bow front or serpentine shaped shelving which flanks its central cupboard, often with delightfully carved floral designs, sometimes with a marble top or mirrored back.
Below are a few examples of antique sideboards that we have sold, if any particular style looks of interest, let us know and we can try to find you something similar.Rare, Georgian Mahogany, Serpentine Fronted Antique Sideboard.
Dating from around 1800 in the Georgian period this antique mahogany sideboard is made all the more unusual having a serpentine front. It is constructed from the finest quality mahogany timbers, the top having a moulded front in the serpentine design along with canted corners. Below the top can be found a central oak lined drawer and two central cupboard doors which internally have each been fitted with a deep drawer displaying a brass handle. The two outer drawers are deep and oak lined, one of which having a cellarette fitting. All the drawers are cock beaded with beautifully shaped brass handles. This antique sideboard stands on wonderfully angled tapering legs with spade feet and has aged to a rich medium shade of mahogany. It is over 200 years old and displays the typical charm and character marks expected in a piece from this period which add to the sense of history.
Antique William IV Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard with Small Proportions.
With very desirable small proportions this beautiful mahogany antique pedestal sideboard dates from around 1835. It has a raised shaped back with Rococo influenced decorative carvings that sits on a rectangular beautifully figured top. Below this can be found three frieze drawers, all oak lined with applied decorative moulding. A central deep drawer with carved scrolled detailing is flanked by two cupboard doors displaying fine flamed mahogany fronts with arched moulded panels. The left hand cupboard contains a single fixed shelf while the right hand cupboard contains a deep drawer with original flush brass handle. The piece stands on a plain plinth with turned bun feet. It is a fine example of an antique sideboard with very practical proportions which also benefits from the style of a much grander piece.
Antique Edwardian Serpentine Front Mahogany Sideboard.
Dating from around 1910 this is a quality antique Edwardian serpentine front mahogany sideboard. It has a cross banded serpentine shaped top above a central bow fronted beautifully inlaid oak lined cock beaded drawer. To the right it has a beautifully inlaid cupboard door and to the left it has a deep oak lined drawer, again with a beautifully inlaid front. All the handles are original quality brass and it has a single key that works all locks.
Superb Quality Large Mahogany Antique Sideboard / Dresser
This fabulous example of Victorian opulence dates from around 1870 and is a superb illustration of a quality mahogany antique dresser / sideboard from the period. Constructed from the finest quality mahogany timbers it has a raised shaped back with wonderfully carved central motif. It has two ‘D’ shaped shelves with scrolled upright supports above a top that has a moulded edge and canted corners. The base contains two oak lined drawers with turned walnut handles above two beautifully figured cupboard doors with moulded edges which benefit from a key with working lock. The interior of the cupboard contains a single removable shelf. The piece stands on a moulded plinth, also with canted corners. It still retains the original back boards, splits into three sections for ease of removal and is a rich shade of mahogany. This truly is a magnificent Victorian piece with large proportions and a real sense of opulence.
Quality Regency Mahogany Antique Sideboard
This quality mahogany antique sideboard dates from the Regency period, circa 1830. It has a rectangular moulded top above three mahogany lined drawers with brass lion head handles. Below these can be found three cupboard doors with moulded edges, the central one having a strikingly figured flamed mahogany central panel while the two outer doors have decorative brass grills with fabric lining. The doors have keys with working locks, the central cupboard contains a single removable shelf while the two outer cupboards each have a single adjustable shelf.
