German sundial and compass from the 18th century

Antique diptych sundial from the 18th century and portable wooden sundial with compass, made of boxwood, of German origin, by Johann Georg Kleininger, Nuremberg, dating from around 1785, in good age-related condition, with signs of wear consistent with age and use.

A portable sundial, also known as a travel sundial, is a sundial that cannot be fixed or mounted. Stationary sundials typically measure the hour angle of the sun directly and must be aligned with the compass points. Portable sundials are mainly elevation dials, which measure the sun's elevation angle and indicate the time after assessing with the known necessary declination, corresponding to the year, date of the sun as the hour. Generally, one must also know whether it is morning or afternoon, as a specific elevation angle can be measured twice a day.

Prestigious antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there are more and more enthusiasts of high-quality old products that have a specific character and soul. It is a nod to the history, creation, and design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

There are many different styles characterizing antique furniture, but we can highlight a few of the most important ones. Eclectic furniture belongs to the 19th century, which saw the reign of the Biedermeier style. Its variations 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 spans the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It originated from the reign of Napoleon, where significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek decorations were imposed.

Classicist furniture is the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are all antique products in the Rococo and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, whose name comes from the Portuguese 'barocco' – which translates to an irregularly developed pearl. These were very representative pieces of furniture meant to literally ooze glamour and play a significant role in luxury. Exceptional, selectively used materials were employed to further emphasize the lofty tone of these products.

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style has had on today's classic furniture, which is designed with a great resemblance to the past era. Another significant style is the Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a significant mark on the art of furniture making. Renaissance style was quite heavy and massive. Brown stains were used, as well as cornices, strong plinths, and bas-reliefs. It can certainly be said that these were quite specific products, but they offered many new possibilities such as the construction of sideboards or generally broadly understood chest furniture. Here, too, there was an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports or legs took on animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads – these are common sights in Renaissance style. Currently, many global companies recreate such furniture, taking examples from Italian or French creators. It is a manifestation of admiration and care for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that in every country, furniture making was perceived differently, so each style in a given country had its own distinct character. This is very important, especially when searching for the right exclusive antique for your interior.

The most important aspect of original antique furniture is authenticity. This is ultimately crucial from the buyer's perspective, as there are many counterfeits circulating in the market. Luxury Products provides a document confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photo. At your disposal, we have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.