Oak Gothic Cabinet Antique Furniture
Antique oak cabinets that were created in the Gothic style are often handed down through many generations. In many cases, these antique pieces of furniture are handmade and detailed, giving them a unique aesthetic that reproductions or mass-produced furniture do not have. The Gothic furniture style lasted from the 12th to the 15th century although some of the influences survived well into the 19th century.
How do you determine if Gothic furniture is an antique?
Determining what qualifies as an antique can be a little difficult as the age is subjective. Usually, an antique is considered to be a minimum of 50 to 150 years old. There are several other ways you can determine if certain furniture is an antique.
- Joinery: Antique furniture usually has joinery where two pieces of wood were put together. If the joints have dovetails that are slightly uneven, the furniture was likely made before 1860, making it an antique.
- Non-symmetry: Antique handmade furniture is not perfectly cut. If the piece is slightly uneven in places, it was likely made by hand.
- Finish: Antiques were finished with shellac, oil, wax, or milk paint.
- Wood types: While most Gothic antiques were made from oak, some other wood types may be used in non-visible places. Other woods may include walnut and cherry.
What are the characteristics of Gothic-style furniture?
Gothic furniture that was constructed in England, Germany, and several other countries was mainly made from oak. All of the furniture made in the Gothic style had certain defining features that were similar to Gothic architecture.
- Carvings: The Gothic style is particularly known for its intricate carvings.
- Symbols: It is common to find certain symbols carved on the front of the antiques. The symbols found on Gothic antiques often include roses, wheels, and motifs like the linen-fold.
- Form: Early Gothic cabinets, chairs, and other furniture are known for being robust, simple, and practical.
What are the advantages of using antique Gothic furniture?
Although antique Gothic cabinets are not new, there are many advantages to owning and using them.
- History: Many antique oak Gothic furniture pieces once belonged to someone else, meaning they have a history and tell a story of another era.
- Longevity: Oak antiques are built to be extremely sturdy. Many are so solid that they are already several hundred years old.
- Uniqueness: Because antique Gothic cabinets are hand-carved by artisans, there are no two cabinets alike.
How do you care for your antique Gothic cabinet?
While most antique oak furniture is solidly built and meant to last, regular maintenance should be performed.
- Environment: Direct sunlight and moisture can damage or degrade the finishes on antiques, so this furniture should be kept out of the sun and in a stable environment.
- Finish: You can protect the finish on your Gothic antique furniture by applying a high-quality paste wax.
- Dust removal: Remove dust from your oak antique furniture using a lint-free cloth.