Carved wooden shelf, Italy, 19th century

Carved wooden shelf with carved and silver cloud and leaf motifs, featuring a two-tone, oxidized, and mekk finish. The sculpture is part of liturgical furnishings and has been transformed into a shelf. Italy 1800, in good condition despite minor peeling.

Wonderful antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Currently, there is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage items that possess a distinct 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 own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but we can highlight a few of the most important. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, during which the prevailing Biedermeier style was popular. Its early 20th-century variants 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.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything originated from the reign of Napoleon, who imposed a style heavily inspired by 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 and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces meant to exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique 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 classical 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. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, often using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also opened up new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest furniture. During this period, mythology and antiquity were also of interest, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common features in Renaissance-style furniture. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture, drawing inspiration from Italian and French craftsmen. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is 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 an elegant antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. This is ultimately crucial for buyers, as many forgeries 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, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.