What to buy for an antiques-lover this Valentine’s Day
From classic collectables to covetable homewares, treat the antiques-lover in your life to beautiful homewares this Valentine's Day

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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’.
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…
Antique trio of food drawings, £120, Ceraudo

Handmade Titmouse vase by Astier de Villatte, £375, Liberty London

Pink vintage handblown decorative vase, £120, By Alice

Vintage study of a nude lady, £230, Medium Room

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- How to create romantic Regency interiors inspired by Bridgerton
- The best destinations for a romantic minibreak
- The history of antique acrostic jewellery

Hulu lamp in Dusty Pink, £195 (lamp only), Oka

Small antique sofa in Queen Anne Style, £2,000, Streett Marburg

Diptyque Roses Graphic Collection limited edition candle, £56, John Lewis & Partners
