Arco di Porta Ticinese in Milan, etching by Naymiller and watercolor by Landini, 1840

Arco di Porta Ticinese in Milan, etching by Naymiller and watercolor by Landini, circa 1840, aquatint. Included in the work “Souvenir de Milan” published in Milan at Bossi Antonio Piazza del Duomo no. 4079 [1828-40]. “Milan in Old Prints” by Paolo Arrigoni 1969 vol. I no. 163, p. 54. In good condition.

The gate was designed by Luigi Cagnola in a neoclassical style and built between 1802-1814. In 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, a Latin inscription “paci populorum Sospitae” (“to the peaceful liberation of nations”) was placed on it. 

The gate was positioned diagonally over the naviglio Grande dock, beyond the Spanish walls, to force those entering the city to pay a toll. 

Traditionally in Milanese popular culture, it is also known as porta Cicca, from the Spanish “chica,” meaning “small.”

Prestigious antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage products that possess a specific character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of classic 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, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo styles of Classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

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 reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. The Baroque style, derived from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl—was highly decorative, designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique materials were selectively used to emphasize the grandeur of these pieces.

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