A large engraving taken from Diderot's encyclopedia published in Paris - Galera, 1772.

Gallery Drawing, Paris 1772. A large print taken from the Paris-published Diderot encyclopedia, depicting the Gallery viewed from the side with drawings of anchors titled Marine Dessein d’une Galere à la Rame named La Réale in the center. At the bottom left: Gaussier sur les desseins de M.r Belin ingenieur de la Marine and finally at the bottom left Bernard Fecit. The print is in good condition, with coloring on the back, presented in a passe-partout in a modern frame made of lacquered and marbled wood in shades of blue.

It comes from a private collection of maritime antiques in Milan.

Stylish 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 products that have a distinct character and soul. It’s a nod to history, creating, and designing 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 belongs 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 English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo styles of Classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

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

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style has had on modern classical 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 also left a significant mark on furniture design. The Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky. Brown stains, cornices, sturdy plinths, and reliefs were used. It can certainly be said that these were quite specific products, but they opened up many new possibilities, such as the construction of cupboards or broadly speaking, chest furniture. Here, too, there was an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports or legs often took animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands recreate such furniture inspired by Italian and French creators. This is a sign of 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 elegant antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. And this is ultimately crucial from the buyer’s perspective, as many forgeries circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate 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.