A pair of carved and gilded wood eagles from the 19th century

A pair of carved and gilded wooden eagles from the mid-19th century. This pair of carved and gilded wooden predatory birds represents a fascinating example of Italian craftsmanship from the 19th century. The sculptures, crafted with great attention to detail, feature intricate feather decoration and gilded leaves, which, although showing minimal signs of age, still remain in good condition.

The presence of Sienese yellow earth finish on the upper part instead of gilding suggests that these two gilded figures were decorative end elements of furniture. The spread wings of the eagles evoke movement and vitality, recalling the majestic nature of these animals and symbolizing freedom and strength of this pair of animal figures. The eagle's talons are firmly anchored in an ebony base and rest on a small balustrade. Behind each animal figure, there are two false supports that facilitated their anchoring. These works, originating from a private collection, tell the story of Italian tradition and craftsmanship from the mid-19th century.

Original antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is an increasing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a specific character and soul. This is a nod to history, the creation, and design of traditional and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly prominent. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, dominated by the Biedermeier style. Its early variations include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Original Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. Everything originated from Napoleon's reign, which imposed a significant resemblance to Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. The next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively chosen to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is often 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-making art. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These were quite distinctive products but also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly conceived chest furniture. They also reflected an interest in mythology and ancient times, 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 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 unique character. This is especially important when searching for a luxurious antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of stylish antique furniture is originality. Ultimately, this is crucial from the customer’s perspective, as many fakes circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides documentation confirming the product’s authenticity and compliance with the description and photos. We also have appraisers, art experts, and historians from around the world at your disposal.