Red roses and chocolates aside, could anything be nicer than receiving beautiful home accessories or furniture this Valentine's Day? From classic collectables and antique artworks, to contemporary ceramics and lighting, these exquisite gift ideas have all been chosen with eclectic, antiques-filled interiors in mind - so you can rest assured that they'll look beautiful in a home of any age or style.
A brief history of Valentines Day
The history of Valentine's Day is somewhat of a mystery but the earliest accounts date back to the Ancient Roman festival, Lupercalia. Far from the lover’s holiday it is today, during this celebration, shepherds sacrificed elderly goats to bring health and fertility to their new livestock.
Some thank Geoffrey Chaucer, the mouthpiece of courtly love, for the creation of February 14th in his famous poem The Parliament of Fowls.
However, the most popular account of the holiday’s origin is certainly more romantic. In 270 AD, a priest named Valentine was executed on 14th February by Emperor Claudius II for performing secret marriage ceremonies on Roman battlefields.
During his time in prison he healed the jailer's blind daughter and on the night before his execution gave her a hand-written letter, signed ‘From your Valentine’.
Valentine's Day gift ideas for antiques-lovers
Treat your loved one to something extra special this Valentine's Day with our edit of covetable homewares and home accessories...
Handmade Titmouse vase by Astier de Villatte
Buy handmade Titmouse vase by Astier de Villatte from Liberty London (£410)
French 1970's portrait
Buy French 1970's portrait from Medium Room (£920)
Nephrite table lamp in antique green
Buy nephrite table lamp from OKA (£395)
Decorative 19th century French carved library chair
Buy decorative 19th century French carve library chair from Streett Marburg (£2,200)
Diptyque roses scented limited edition candle, £60, John Lewis
Buy Diptyque roses scented limited edition candle from John Lewis (£60)
Marguerite pink candle holders
Buy marguerite pink candle holders from Mrs Alice (£48)
Fleur Crewel rug, from £58, Anthropologie
