Small-scale versions of cabinet furniture, sometimes made by apprentice craftsmen to demonstrate their technical skills. More commonly, such pieces were made by skilled tradesmen and taken around country districts by journeymen or commercial travellers, so customers could order household furniture from these samples. Miniature furniture pieces, often made for children, are frequently described as apprentice pieces. They are now highly sought after, but, buyer beware, the market abounds with many imported and locally produced 'apprentice pieces' of more recent manufacture.

60 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Superb mid 19th century miniature mahogany bookcase fitted with…

Miniature Mahogany Bookcase with Specimen Drawers

Superb mid 19th century miniature mahogany bookcase fitted with specimen drawers in top & base 70 cm high, 38.5 cm wide, 25 cm deep

An antique Italian miniature cabinet in the Renaissance style,…

Italian Renaissance Miniature Cabinet, 19th Century

An antique Italian miniature cabinet in the Renaissance style, timber and metal, early to mid 19th century, 62 cm high, 34 cm wide, 14 cm deep

An Australian cedar apprentice chiffonier, c.1850 one drawer…

Antique Australian Cedar Cabinet, c.1850

An Australian cedar apprentice chiffonier, c.1850 one drawer over two doors 90 x 65 x 36

Victorian walnut apprentice tallboy inlaid with satinwood, 40.5…

Victorian Walnut Inlaid Apprentice Tallboy

Victorian walnut apprentice tallboy inlaid with satinwood, 40.5 cm high, 32 cm wide, 17.5 cm deep

A miniature roll top desk with inlaid timbers, 19th century, 28.…

Inlaid Miniature Roll Top Desk, 19th Century

A miniature roll top desk with inlaid timbers, 19th century, 28.5 cm high, 27.5 cm wide, 18 cm deep

An apprentice bureau, mahogany, cedar, oak and pine, 20th…

20th Century Wood Apprentice Bureau

An apprentice bureau, mahogany, cedar, oak and pine, 20th century, 31 cm high, 28 cm wide, 20 cm deep

A rare miniature wardrobe from Tanunda (South Australia), 19th…

Rare 19th Century Chip Carved Miniature Wardrobe from Tanunda

A rare miniature wardrobe from Tanunda (South Australia), 19th century, eleborately chip carved in various patterns including The Tree of Life and the Distelfinks, original finish and meteal work, decorated on the top and back, 35 cm high, 22 cm across,…

Two Victorian miniature chests of drawers, 19th century, one in…

Victorian Miniature Chests of Drawers

Two Victorian miniature chests of drawers, 19th century, one in pine, one in mahogany, each with two short drawers above three long drawers, on turned feet, height 51 cm, 49 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Judith Hoyle, Newcastle

A Victorian rosewood revolving miniature bookcase of square…

Victorian Rosewood Revolving Miniature Bookcase

A Victorian rosewood revolving miniature bookcase of square form, circa 1880, 59 cm high, 45 cm square

Apprentice bookcase, Australian cedar and pine, circa 1875 full…

Antique Cedar Bookcase, 19th Century

Apprentice bookcase, Australian cedar and pine, circa 1875 full cabinet maker construction with nice attention to details finish worn and untouched, 58 cm high, 33.5 cm wide, 17 cm deep

19th century cedar apprentice entrance doors and surround with…

Arched Cedar Entrance Door with Missing Glass Panel

19th century cedar apprentice entrance doors and surround with arched top, one glass panel missing, 82 cm high, 42 cm wide,

A Sheraton Revival mahogany apprentice piece bookcase, early…

Mahogany Bookcase with Swan Neck Handles

A Sheraton Revival mahogany apprentice piece bookcase, early 20th century, with a broken triangular pediment with urn finial, twin astragal glazed doors, and shelving, above a slide and a four cockbeaded drawers of graduated depth, with flame veneers,…

An outstanding English papier mache and mother of pearl inlaid…

English Papier Mache Castle Inlaid Apprentice Cabinet

An outstanding English papier mache and mother of pearl inlaid apprentice cabinet the interior fitted with drawers and on the top a painted panel of an old castle. 36 cm high, 34 cm wide.

Miniature oak Welsh dresser with 3 drawers and open shelves, 32…

Miniature Welsh oak dresser with drawers and shelves

Miniature oak Welsh dresser with 3 drawers and open shelves, 32 cm wide, 10.5 cm deep, 32 cm high

An apprentice sideboard, stained pine and glass, South…

19th Century South Australian Pine Glass Sideboard

An apprentice sideboard, stained pine and glass, South Australian origin, 19th century 66 cm high, 46 cm wide, 16 cm deep

Shiro Kuramata miniature 'How high the moon Chair' for Vitra,…

Miniature How High the Moon Chair by Shiro Kuramata

Shiro Kuramata miniature 'How high the moon Chair' for Vitra, nickel plated steel mesh and perforated zinc, designed 1986, 15.5 cm high, 13.5 cm wide, 12 cm deep

An interesting French apprentice cabinet in walnut fitted with…

French Walnut Apprentice Cabinet with Three Drawers

An interesting French apprentice cabinet in walnut fitted with three drawers, 31 cm high, 30 cm wide, 20 cm deep

A Gothic revival elm apprentice cabinet, 19th century, the…

Gothic Revival Elm Apprentice Cabinet

A Gothic revival elm apprentice cabinet, 19th century, the doors with relief decorated trefoil arches, raised on bracket feet, opening to a fitted interior, 43 cm high, 46 cm wide, 27 cm deep

An unusual model of a Venetian sedan chair, painted with putti…

Venetian Sedan Chair with Putti and Coat-of-Arms

An unusual model of a Venetian sedan chair, painted with putti and florals on a crackle green ground and with coat-of-arms to each side, the roof of bombe shape, the glazed door opening to reveal a salmon silk upholstered interior, the back wall hung with…

An Australian apprentice cabinet fitted with four drawers,…

Antique Australian Cedar Cabinet with Fiddleback Blackwood Interior

An Australian apprentice cabinet fitted with four drawers, cedar with fiddleback blackwood interior, circa 1880, 35 cm high, 31 cm wide, 22 cm deep

A miniature model of a kitchen dresser, Italian, 19th century,…

Italian 19th Century Kitchen Dresser Miniature Model

A miniature model of a kitchen dresser, Italian, 19th century, the dresser shelves laden with assorted books, ceramics, baskets of fruit and vegetables, a ham, cheese and other necessities, the drawers and enclosed cupboard also containing goods and…

An unusual French ormolu mounted apprentice dresser, having two…

French Ormolu Mounted Apprentice Dresser with Cupboards

An unusual French ormolu mounted apprentice dresser, having two cupboards below. 68 cm high, 46 cm wide, 21 cm deep

Miniature French vitrine cabinet, metal with two glazed doors,…

Metal French Vitrine Cabinet with Glass Shelves

Miniature French vitrine cabinet, metal with two glazed doors, glass shelves, spandrel and lattice decorations, height 39 cm

Child's miniature kitchen dresser with glass doors enclosing…

Miniature Glass-Door Kitchen Dresser

Child's miniature kitchen dresser with glass doors enclosing shelved interiors. Height 78 cm. Width 51 cm. Depth 19 cm

An antique apprentice cabinet chiffonier, walnut and pine, 19th…

19th Century Antique Walnut and Pine Cabinet Chiffonier with Whalebone Handles

An antique apprentice cabinet chiffonier, walnut and pine, 19th century, interior fitted with four drawers with whalebone handles, 39 cm high, 21 cm wide, 14 cm deep

Apprentice satinwood cigarette holder circa 1900, standing 14…

Antique Satinwood Cigarette Holder, 1900

Apprentice satinwood cigarette holder circa 1900, standing 14 cm tall

A Georgian oak miniature cabinet with barber pole inlaid door,…

Georgian Oak Miniature Cabinet with Inlaid Door

A Georgian oak miniature cabinet with barber pole inlaid door, English circa 1800, interior fitted with compartments, pine backboards, 53 cm high, 41 cm wide, 26 cm deep. Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Melbourne

Miniature apprentice cabinet / wardrobe, drawer to base and top…

Miniature Apprentice Cabinet with Drawer and Cupboard

Miniature apprentice cabinet / wardrobe, drawer to base and top cupboard. Height 46 cm, width 40 cm.

An antique Australian apprentice miniature cabinet, lift top…

19th Century Australian Miniature Cabinet with Drawers

An antique Australian apprentice miniature cabinet, lift top with four drawers, cedar and red pine, 19th century, 64 cm high, 44 cm wide, 27 cm deep

Late Victorian mahogany apprentice bookcase, with stepped…

Mahogany Bookcase with Arched Doors and Drawers

Late Victorian mahogany apprentice bookcase, with stepped pediment, above a pair of arched glazed doors opening to shelves, above a pair of drawers and panelled doors, 96 68 26 cm

A folk art miniature cabinet, eucalypt and cedar, South…

South Australian 19th Century Folk Art Miniature Cabinet

A folk art miniature cabinet, eucalypt and cedar, South Australian origin, 19th century 40 cm high, 55 cm wide, 21 cm deep

A Georgian miniature two door apprentice cabinet, interior…

Georgian Miniature Mahogany Cabinet with Four Drawers

A Georgian miniature two door apprentice cabinet, interior fitted with four drawers, mahogany and satinwood, early 19th century, 31 cm high, 30 cm wide, 16 cm deep

Charming apprentice oak coffer, with rectangular top, above a…

Apprentice Oak Coffer with Carved Rectangular Body

Charming apprentice oak coffer, with rectangular top, above a carved rectangular body, raised on four shaped legs, 8.5 17 6.5 cm

A 19th century miniature oak kitchen dresser. Height 65 cm,…

Miniature Oak Kitchen Dresser

A 19th century miniature oak kitchen dresser. Height 65 cm, width 55 cm, depth 25 cm

A folk art miniature cabinet, cedar and pine with gilt finished…

19th Century Gilt Trimmed Miniature Cabinet from Barossa Valley

A folk art miniature cabinet, cedar and pine with gilt finished trim, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 19th century, 42 cm high

A salesmen's sample miniature kitchen dresser, pine with metal…

19th Century Pine Miniature Kitchen Dresser with Metal Fittings

A salesmen's sample miniature kitchen dresser, pine with metal fittings, 19th century, 57 cm high

Antique salesman's sample sideboard width 12 cm, depth 6 cm,…

Miniature Antique Sideboard Salesman's Sample

Antique salesman's sample sideboard width 12 cm, depth 6 cm, height 8 cm.

Cedar apprentice dressing mirror, circa 1880, 26 cm

1880 Cedar Dressing Mirror

Cedar apprentice dressing mirror, circa 1880, 26 cm

A Continental apprentice kitchen dresser, elm and beech, 19th…

19th Century Elm and Beech Kitchen Dresser

A Continental apprentice kitchen dresser, elm and beech, 19th century, 45.5 cm high

A tramp art miniature dresser, carved cedar, 19th century 35 cm…

19th Century Cedar Tramp Art Miniature Dresser

A tramp art miniature dresser, carved cedar, 19th century 35 cm high, 25 cm wide, 13 cm deep

Small apprentice type bureau desk in the Georgian manner, 44.5…

Georgian-style apprentice bureau desk

Small apprentice type bureau desk in the Georgian manner, 44.5 cm wide, 26 cm deep, closed, 45 cm high

An apprentice desk compendium (42 cm x 40 cm) made from…

Mahogany Desk Compendium with Drawer and Pigeon Holes

An apprentice desk compendium (42 cm x 40 cm) made from mahogany or similar and featuring a single drawer and pigeon holes. Size 42 cm x 40 cm x 27 cm

Walnut apprentice linen press, with two central doors, opening…

Walnut Linen Press with Dolls Clothing

Walnut apprentice linen press, with two central doors, opening to reveal two shelves resting on cabriole legs, containing a selection of dolls clothing, 39.5 (h) x 32 (w) x 18.5 cm

A miniature two door Japanese cabinet with inlaid wood & copper…

Japanese Miniature Inlaid Cabinet with Copper Hinges

A miniature two door Japanese cabinet with inlaid wood & copper Hinges, Showa period, height 33, width 29, depth 13 cm

A Georgian revival mahogany apprentice cupboard, early 20th…

Georgian Revival Mahogany Apprentice Cupboard, Early 20th Century

A Georgian revival mahogany apprentice cupboard, early 20th century, the Georgian style cupboard with broken arched pediment above panelled double doors opening to an interior fitted with velvet lined shelves and bottom drawer, on plinth. Height 56 cm,…

An Art Deco style mahogany apprentice cabinet, with a central…

Art Deco Mahogany Apprentice Cabinet with Glass Door

An Art Deco style mahogany apprentice cabinet, with a central glazed door and conforming side panels, 60 cm high, 34 cm wide, 17 cm deep

An unusual apprentice piece being a 1930's Art Deco sideboard.…

Art Deco Sideboard Apprentice Piece

An unusual apprentice piece being a 1930's Art Deco sideboard. 40 cm high, 46 cm wide, 20 cm deep

An antique Australian kauri pine apprentice kitchen dresser,…

An antique Australian kauri pine apprentice kitchen dresser, 19th century, 41.5 cm high, 25 cm wide, 12.5 cm deep

Miniature oak coffer, dated 1615

1615 Oak Coffer Miniature

Miniature oak coffer, dated 1615

A Chippendale Revival mahogany two door miniature corner…

Chippendale Revival Miniature Corner Cabinet

A Chippendale Revival mahogany two door miniature corner cabinet. 69 cm high, 50 cm long, 26 cm deep

Timber apprentice fall front bureau, opening to reveal nine…

Miniature Timber Bureau with Nine Drawers

Timber apprentice fall front bureau, opening to reveal nine miniature drawers, above two small drawers resting above three large drawers, with brass hardware, 45.5 (h) x 44.5 (w) x 25 cm (d)

An apprentice oak coffer, height 16.5 cm, width 28.5 cm, depth…

An apprentice oak coffer, height 16.5 cm, width 28.5 cm, depth 15 cm

A unique model of a miniature armoire in the Arts & Crafts…

Miniature Arts & Crafts Armoire

A unique model of a miniature armoire in the Arts & Crafts manner. 37.5 cm high, 29.5 cm wide, 13 cm deep

Antique pine miniature dresser, 68 cm high, 46 cm wide

Antique Pine Miniature Dresser - 68 x 46 cm

Antique pine miniature dresser, 68 cm high, 46 cm wide

Antique French Brittany miniature armoire, with four doors and…

French Brittany Miniature Armoire - Antique

Antique French Brittany miniature armoire, with four doors and two drawers, 52 cm high, 36 cm wide, 17 cm deep

Australian depression pine two height miniature kitchen dresser,…

Miniature Australian Pine Kitchen Dresser

Australian depression pine two height miniature kitchen dresser, approx 53 cm high, 31 cm wide, 13 cm deep

A miniature rocking chair, stick construction, early 20th…

Miniature Stick Rocking Chair, Early 20th Century

A miniature rocking chair, stick construction, early 20th century 33 cm high

Vintage hand painted dressmaker's cabinet model, miniature…

Hand Painted Miniature Dressmaker's Cabinet

Vintage hand painted dressmaker's cabinet model, miniature cabinet, hand painted decoration to two doors, and sides, turned columns, fitted interior, with storage of fabrics to each shelf, height 23 cm.

Art Deco era Hampton style salesman sample chair 51 cm height,…

Art Deco Hampton Style Salesman Sample Chair

Art Deco era Hampton style salesman sample chair 51 cm height, 58 cm width

Miniature kitchen dresser with single drawer, approx 33 cm high,…

Miniature Kitchen Dresser with Single Drawer - 33cm Height

Miniature kitchen dresser with single drawer, approx 33 cm high, 19.5 cm wide