A dragee box, early 19th century, with a decoration on the lid depicting an elegantly dressed couple

Box for sweets, early 19th century, decorated on the lid with an image depicting an elegantly dressed couple standing in a garden with a balustrade on the left and stairs on the right, set against an architectural background. The scene is framed by an ivory-colored border with minimal paint loss, connected to the scene by a gold-edged frame. The box is entirely made of cardboard, with two brass rings at the ends and printed, gold cardboard ribbons on the edges. The decoration is created using the « fixé sous verre » technique, meaning an aquarelle print preserved under glass. France, early 19th century.

These are valuable packaging for sugared almonds, sold as gifts or for special occasions. A characteristic feature of these packages is their glass-encased decoration, reflecting the changing styles and tastes of the era. Their popularity coincided with the growth and desire to establish a presence in confectionery markets, which were rapidly developing at the time. Interestingly, in confectionery production, there has always been a consistent focus on what we today call packaging, prioritizing the value of the packaging itself even before its contents. This is evidenced by the use of ornaments, gilding, twisted silk, and printed milk imitating precious stones. Here are some national names that capture the essence of this phenomenon: in Turin, the kingdom of chocolate, in 1826 Caffarel Prochet was born, and in 1878 Leone. In 1888, the Lazzaroni & Figli company was founded in Saronno. In 1900, the SAIWA (Società Accomandita Industria Wafers Affini) was established in Genoa, helping the confectionery industry to spread throughout Italy and Europe.

Confectionery products were sold wholesale, but soon exclusive items were created for parties and celebrations; among these are Boite à Dragées (confetti boxes), which are featured in this collection, with fixed décor sous verre scenes depicting romantic or rural themes. Made of cardboard, they have a decorated edge with printed and gilded paper ribbons featuring Greek or leafy motifs; the interior can be divided into compartments. All were produced in France between the late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century.

Original Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a significant resemblance to and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are all antique products in the Rococo style and Louis XV. Next is Baroque, a term derived from Portuguese « barocco » — meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces meant to radiate splendor and serve a prominent role in luxury. Selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the past era. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky, using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest furniture. Mythology and ancient times were also of interest, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads — these are common features in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture, drawing inspiration from Italian and French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It’s important to remember that each country perceived furniture production differently, so each style had its unique character. This is especially crucial when searching for a luxurious antique piece suitable for your interior.

The most important aspect of stylish antique furniture is originality. And this is ultimately crucial from the customer's perspective, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photograph. We have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world at your disposal.