A lacquered box from 1700 made of beech wood with an original lock

Lacquered box from 1700, made of beech wood with an original lock. The rectangular box is covered with a sleek tempera lacquer, decorated with spirals on a green background.

It is in good condition, with a few spots of color and signs of wear, consistent with its age. It probably originates from Central-Eastern Italy.

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

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but we can highlight a few of the most important. Eclectic furniture dates back to the 19th century, during which the prevailing Biedermeier style was popular. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the late 18th to early 19th century. Everything was influenced by Napoleon’s reign. It imposed a significant resemblance 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 antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, a name derived from the Portuguese 'barocco'—which translates to an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly ornate pieces designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style has had on modern classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. 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. It used brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and bas-reliefs. These were quite distinctive products, but they also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas or broadly speaking, chest furniture. Here, too, there was an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce furniture inspired by Italian and French artisans. 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 in each country, so each style had its own character. This is especially important when searching for an exclusive antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. And this is ultimately crucial for buyers, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides documentation confirming the product’s authenticity and compliance with the description and photos. We have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.