17th century print of The Chamois Hunt

Van der Straet (known as Stradano) Jan Venationes Ferarum Avium Piscius Chamois Hunting, published by Philippa GALLE (Haarlem 1537 – Antwerp 1612), taken from the work Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium. An original engraving depicting the subject by Jan van der Straet, born in Bruges in 1523 and died in Florence in 1605, digitized and known under the name Giovanni Stradano, a preparatory drawing with hunting themes for the tapestries of Villa Cosimo de' Medici in Poggio a Caiano.

Printed on a piece of thin handmade paper with a watermark, consistent with typical North European paper production from the first half of the 17th century, complete with a plate impression and margins of various sizes from 1 cm to 2 cm, with minor defects along the edges but overall in good condition. The plate features full figures in action, surrounded by bucolic backgrounds, men, animals, fantasy, and reality intertwined. Latin signature at the bottom.

Beautiful antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for interior decoration. Today, there is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage products that possess a distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of traditional and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly prominent. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, especially the Biedermeier style. Early in that century, you find antique furniture in neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe, and Victorian styles. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolve into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Beautiful Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century, originating from Napoleon’s reign. It features significant influences from Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture, associated with Louis XVI, also draws heavily from ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. Baroque furniture was highly ornate, designed to dazzle with splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were chosen selectively to emphasize the grandeur of these pieces.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which often resembles the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, flourishing in the 15th and 16th centuries, leaving a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and robust, using dark varnishes, moldings, strong bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also introduced new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest-type furniture. Mythology and ancient themes were also popular, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common features in Renaissance-style furniture. Currently, many global brands reproduce such pieces, inspired by Italian and French craftsmen. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It’s important to remember that furniture production was perceived differently across countries, with each nation developing its own characteristic style. This is especially crucial when searching for a luxurious antique that suits your interior.

The key to stylish antique furniture is originality. Ultimately, this is vital from the customer’s perspective, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides documentation confirming the product’s authenticity and compliance with the description and images. We also have access to art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.