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 Paweł 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 printing house 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 for high-quality vintage items that have a distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, creating, and designing 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 belongs to the 19th century, which saw the dominance of the Biedermeier style. 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 evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, characterized by significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references 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 meant to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also the 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 were quite distinctive products, but they also opened up new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas or broadly defined chest furniture. During this period, mythology and antiquity were also of interest, 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 own character. This is especially important when searching for exclusive antique pieces 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 a certificate 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.