A pair of plates made of gilded bronze and cut and colored crystal

Para patera made of gilded bronze and cut and colored Austrian crystal, second half of the 1800s. Delicious cake containers crafted from two semi-naked angels cast in and gilded with bronze, raised on a round base decorated with ribbed motifs and geometric cutouts, resting on an octagonal apron in shape.

The two semi-naked cherubs have hair adorned with wreaths of grapevines and bunches of grapes, iconographic symbols of abundance and wealth, with a vine leaf belt on their bellies, holding a plate with a twelve-sided cut crystal and floral and geometric motifs polychromed and colored in shades of green, red, and blue. 

One of them has a small weld that references drapery. 

On the base of these two 19th-century artifacts, there is an inscription “Austria,” referring to the country of origin.

Beautiful 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 products that have a distinct character and soul. It’s a nod to history, creation, and the design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.  

There are many styles characterizing antique furniture, but a few key ones can be distinguished. Eclectic furniture is from the 19th century, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its variants in the early years of this century include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles transition into pseudo styles of classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything originated from Napoleon’s reign. It emphasized significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is in the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. Next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly representative pieces designed to literally ooze glamour and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively used to further 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 past era. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a significant mark on furniture-making art. Renaissance style was quite heavy and massive. It used brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and bas-reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also opened up new possibilities, such as the construction of cabinets 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’s paws, eagle’s heads—these are common features in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture inspired by Italian or 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. And this is ultimately crucial from the buyer’s perspective, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product’s authenticity and compliance with the description and photos. We also have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.