French sweets box from the renovation period, 19th century

Box for sweets from a French restaurant era, decorated on the lid with an elegant woman sitting in a flower garden with a harp in the background. The box is made entirely of cardboard, with two brass rings at the ends and printed, gold cardboard ribbons along the edges. The decoration is created using the verre églomisé technique, meaning it is an aquarelle print preserved under glass. The interior is divided into several compartments to hold many sweets. France, early 19th century.

These are valuable packaging for sugar-coated almonds, sold as gifts or for special occasions. A characteristic feature of these packages is their glass-covered decoration, reflecting the changing styles and tastes of the era. Their popularity coincided with the growth and desire to establish a presence in confectionery markets, which were rapidly developing at the time. Interestingly, in confectionery production, consistent attention was always paid to what we now casually call packaging, focusing primarily on its value even before its contents. This included the use of ornaments, gilding, curled silk, and printed milk imitating jewelry. Here are some national names that capture the essence of this phenomenon: in Turin, the kingdom of chocolate, Caffarel Prochet was born in 1826, and Leone in 1878. In 1888, the Lazzaroni & Figli company was founded in Saronno. In 1900, the SAIWA (Società Accomandita Industria Wafer Affini) was established in Genoa, which helped spread the confectionery industry across Italy and Europe.

Confectionery products were sold in wholesale quantities, but soon exclusive items were created for parties and celebrations; among these are Boite à Dragées (boxes of sugar-coated almonds), which are featured in this collection. The fixed verre églomisé decorations depict romantic or rural scenes. Made from cardboard, they have a border decorated with printed and gilded paper ribbons with Greek or leafy motifs; the interior can be divided into compartments. All were produced in France between the late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century.

Beautiful 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 items that possess a specific character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of traditional and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few of the most important can be distinguished. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, dominated by the Biedermeier style. Its early variations include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis-Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles transitioned into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Magnificent Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a strong resemblance to and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also draws heavily from ancient architecture. 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 designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. They used exceptional, selectively chosen materials to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style has influenced today's classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the former era. An equally significant style is Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a profound mark on the art of furniture making. The Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky. Brown stains were used, along with cornices, sturdy bases, and reliefs. It can certainly be said that these were quite distinctive products, but they offered many new possibilities, such as the construction of buffets or broadly understood chest furniture. Here, too, there was 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 furniture made in this style, taking inspiration from Italian and French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that in each country, furniture production was perceived differently, so each style had its own unique character. This is especially important when searching for a luxurious antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of vintage antique furniture is originality. And this is ultimately crucial from the customer's perspective, as many counterfeit products circulate on the market. Luxury Products brand provides a certificate confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photo. We have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world at your disposal.