Portrait of a Lady, oval, watercolor on paper from the 19th century

Oval lady portrait, watercolor on high-quality paper, 1800s, in good condition. Depicted in a semi-portrait pose, sitting in an armchair, the woman is wearing a beautiful, flowing dress with a lace collar fastened with a pin. The silhouette of the figure is cut out from paper and transferred onto another cream-colored sheet, which serves as the background. Oval brass ring connects the miniature with a profiled frame made of ebony-grained pear wood. The glass is slightly curved. The miniature is Italian and dates from the second half of the 19th century.

Original antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is an increasing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a distinct character and soul. It’s a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of traditional and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few key ones stand out. Eclectic furniture from the 19th century, during the reign of the Biedermeier style, is particularly notable. Its early 19th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles blend into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Original Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. This style emerged during Napoleon’s reign, emphasizing strong similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture, associated with Louis XVI, also draws heavily from ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese barocco—meaning an irregularly developed pearl, was highly ornate, designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively chosen to emphasize the grandeur of these pieces.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is often designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. The Renaissance style, flourishing in the 15th and 16th centuries, also left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also introduced new possibilities, such as the construction of sideboards and broadly conceived chest furniture. Mythology and ancient times inspired these designs, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion’s paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance-style furniture. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture, inspired by Italian and French craftsmen, as a tribute to the beauty of Renaissance antiques. It’s important to remember that furniture production was perceived differently in each country, giving each style a unique character. This is especially crucial when selecting a luxurious antique for your interior.

The key to stylish antique furniture is originality. Ultimately, this is important for clients, as many counterfeit items circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides documentation confirming the authenticity of each product, matching its description and photos. We also have experts, art appraisers, and historians from around the world at your disposal.