A pair of ceramic traveler's water bottles from the late 19th century

Para ceramic water bottles for travelers from the late 19th century, with a convex shape, featuring a white background and abstract decorations in shades of blue, ochre, and brown. They have a similar shape, despite the handles having different orientations. The tallest has a glued edge at the base of the handle. The ornamentation is only on the outside of the flask, while the back of the bottle shows a shop label from Rapallo and a small chip at the base. Originates from central Italy.

These small terracotta bottles were specially designed to store water or other liquids essential for quenching the thirst of pilgrims during their journey. Relatively small, with a convex shape, they could be attached to a belt or carried on the shoulder using a string wrapped around the flask and threaded through four loops or perforated sockets on the sides.

In this way, the basic tool of a traveler was soon decorated and enriched with new shapes, both in terms of the plastic used for the flask and its typology, leading to unique forms such as a hollow flask, which, equipped with a base, suggests more a decorative than functional purpose.

The decorations also include primitive graffiti with geometric or floral motifs, enamel coloring, or decoration that may be pictorial, following common patterns of the period, or, as in the most popular examples, abstract, as in bottles with abstract, almost freeform decoration, where we might think that the decorator simply had colors available for use or finishing.

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Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few stand out as the most important. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its early variations include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the Victorian English style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo styles of classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

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

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references 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. These were highly ornate pieces meant to radiate splendor and serve a luxurious role. Selective use of materials was employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

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