Hobbies Collecting Antiques

Victorian Furniture Identification and Price Guide

Victorian Parlor Furniture
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For quite some time Victorian furniture was perennially popular with decorators and collectors alike, especially accent pieces such as tables, side chairs, and decorative accessories. Interest has cooled some as decorating interests have turned to midcentury modern and other styles.

Even so, certain Victorian pieces by makers like John Henry Belter and Mitchell & Rammelsberg still command very good prices. Most of the furniture that you find at estate sales are usually not made by these high-end manufacturers. The pieces shown in this guide are the more run-of-the-mill Victorian pieces you will encounter. 

Use this guide to help you identify your furniture as Victorian in styling, and see what similar pieces have sold for at auction. Note, the selling prices quoted do not include the buyer's premium.

Victorian Wash Stand

This nicely accented Victorian wash stand with painted panels has a back shelf attached to the stand that coordinates with the paint scheme. Front doors open to reveal a shelving area. The condition that was listed by the auction house was good to very good. Measurements are 35 1/2 inches by 29 inches by 15 inches. This piece sold for $210 by Morphy Auctions in February 2012. 

Wooden Victorian Wash Stand
Wooden Victorian Wash Stand Photo courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Oak 4-Door China Display Cabinet

This Victorian oak four-door china display cabinet has the original finish with leaded and stained glass doors. The condition was listed by the auction house as excellent. It sold for $1,080 by Morphy Auctions in October 2011. 

Victorian Oak 4-Door China Display Cabinet
Victorian Oak 4-Door China Display Cabinet Photo courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Upholstered Love Seat

This reupholstered Victorian love seat was in excellent condition overall. It measures 66 inches long. This piece sold for $234 by Morphy Auctions in August 2009. 

Victorian Love Seat Price or Value Guide
Ca. 1880 Victorian Love Seat - Morphy Auctions

Walnut White Marble Top Victorian Table

This Victorian table has a turtle-shaped top with black-veined white marble. It was assessed by the auction house to be all original and in excellent condition. It measures 30 inches by 40 inches. This piece sold for $633 by Morphy Auctions in December 2008). 

Ca. 1880 Walnut Marble Top Victorian Table - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Child Size Carpet Rocker

This turned maple rocker with carpet seat and back was made by National Chair Mfg. Co. of Elbridge, New York. It measures 25 inches high. Its condition was reported by the auction house as very good. This rocker sold for $115 by Morphy Auctions in October 2008. 

Ca. Late 1800s Victorian Child's Carpet Rocker - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Marble Rectangle Top Victorian Antique Table

This Victorian table with rectangular top has a few scratches on the white marble top but is otherwise in excellent condition. It measures 30 inches tall. It sold for $144 by Morphy Auctions in December 2008. 

Ca. Late 1800s Marble Top Victorian Antique Table - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Upholstered Chairs

These two upholstered armchairs with carved fruit and leaf decoration at the time of sale in November 2008 by Morphy Auctions was in very good condition. The largest chair measures 44 inches high. The two together sold for $403.

Ca. Late 1800s Victorian Upholstered Antique Chairs - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Marble Top Victorian Table with Finials

The white marble top on this Victorian table had a few scratches but was in otherwise excellent condition according to the auction description. It measures 30 inches tall. It sold for $288 by Morphy Auctions in December 2008. 

Ca. Late 1800s Marble Top Victorian Antique Table - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Mahogany Antique Bookcase

This Victorian mahogany bookcase has glazed sliding doors enclosing adjustable shelves. It is flanked by lion carved pilasters above two drawers supported by paw feet. It measures 64 inches tall by 43 3/4 inches wide. This piece sold for $805 by Morphy Auctions in November 2008.

Ca. 1880 Victorian Mahogany Antique Bookcase - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Walnut Marble Top Oval Victorian Table

This walnut table has a white marble top with mild stains over an elaborately carved base. Even with the stains, the auction house described this piece as being in excellent condition. It measures 40 inches by 30 inches. It sold for $575 by Morphy Auctions in December 2008.

Ca. 1880 Walnut Marble Top Oval Victorian Table - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Rectangular Marble Top Antique Victorian Table

This rectangular table has a white marble top with black veins. At the time of sale in December 2008 by Morphy Auctions, it was reported to be in excellent condition. It measures 30 inches tall. It sold for $144.

Ca. Late 1800s Marble Top Antique Victorian Table - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Walnut Towel Holder and Mirror

This towel rack with two bars and a beveled mirror was reported to be in excellent condition. It measures 18 1/2 inches by 20 inches. It sold in March 2009 by Morphy Auctions for $88.

Ca. Late 1800s Victorian Walnut Towel Holder & Mirror - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Roll Top Secretary Desk

The roll top in this desk comes down to reveal six drawers with 21 dovetailed drawers total. The top and base are in two pieces. The condition was reported as excellent. It measures 68 inches by 19 inches by 38 inches. This piece sold for $1,035 by Morphy Auctions in December 2008. 

Ca. Late 1800s Victorian Roll Top Secretary Desk - Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Victorian Marble Top Table

This walnut table with ornate x-stretcher base has minor marble scratches but was reported to be in excellent condition overall. It measures 29 inches tall by 29 1/2 inches wide. It sold for $403 by Morphy Auctions in May 2008. 

Victorian Marble Topped Table
Ca. Late 1800s Victorian Marble Topped Table - Morphy Auctions