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 half-naked angels cast in and gilded bronze, raised on a round base decorated with ribbed motifs and geometric cutouts, resting on an octagonal apron in shape.

The two half-naked cherubs have hair adorned with wreaths of grapevines and bunches of grapes, iconic symbols of abundance and wealth, with a vine leaf belt on their stomachs, 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 an increasing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that have a distinct character and soul. It’s a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the creation of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.  

There are many styles characteristic of antique furniture, but a few key ones can be distinguished. Eclectic furniture is from the 19th century, dominated by the 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. By 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 strong similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is from 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 radiate glamour and play a significant role in luxury. Unique 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 left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky, using brown stains, cornices, strong bases, and reliefs. These were quite distinctive products, but they also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest furniture. There was also an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common features in Renaissance style. 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 own 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 fakes circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides documentation 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.