Exterior view of the facade of the Church of Santa Maria near San Celso, also known as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Temple of M. Vergine near S. Celso. Exterior view of the facade of the Santa Maria church near San Celso, also known as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, engraved by Agnelli Federico (1626/1702) and designed by Giuseppe Garavaglia (documented in 1668/1677).

This is an engraving from the book “Portrait of Milan” published in 1674. It is presented in a modern walnut frame.

Wonderful antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is an increasing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage items that have 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, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philip style, and finally the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles transitioned 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 was influenced by Napoleon’s reign, which imposed significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. Next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly shaped pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed to radiate 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 the Baroque style has influenced modern classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical era. An important style as well is Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and relief decorations. These were quite distinctive products, but they also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of cabinets and broadly speaking, chest furniture. There was also an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

Lion’s paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs 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 unique character. This is especially important when searching for elegant antique pieces suitable for 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 have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.