Sadeler's engraving from 1598, taken from the "Oraculum Anachareticum" series

Engraving by Sadeler from 1598, taken from the series “Oraculum Anachareticum” printed in Venice based on drawings by Martin de Vosa. The sheet has wide margins with tape marks in the corners. The engraving depicts Paul of Thebes, a hermit from the time of Emperor Decius.

Jan and Rafael Sadeler arrived in Italy in 1593 from Antwerp, a global printing hub, and established a print shop in Venice in 1596/97. 

Elegant antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Currently, there is a growing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a specific character and soul. It’s a nod to history, creation, and the design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but we can highlight a few of the most important. Eclectic furniture belongs 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 transitioned into pseudo styles of Classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. Everything stems from Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a strong resemblance and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also heavily 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 developed pearl. These were highly representative pieces designed to literally radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to further emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical era. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture-making art. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite specific but opened up new possibilities, such as the construction of cabinets or broadly understood chest furniture. There was also 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 such furniture, inspired by 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 an exclusive antique suitable for your interior.

The most important aspect of prestigious 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.