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

A pair of carved and gilded wooden eagles from the mid-19th century. This pair of carved and gilded wooden birds of prey is 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, 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 a growing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a distinct 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 own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly prominent. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, especially the Biedermeier style. Its early variations 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-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

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

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also heavily references ancient architecture. Notable and interesting 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 exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively used 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-making art. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and solid, often using brown stains, moldings, robust bases, and bas-reliefs. These were quite distinctive products, offering new possibilities such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest furniture. Mythology and ancient times also inspired these designs, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance-style furniture. 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 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 counterfeit products 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.