View of the Imperial Forums. A beautiful etching made in 1796 by Francesco Morelli

View of the Imperial Forums. A beautiful aquatint created in 1796 by Francesco Morelli, otherwise François Morel (1768-1830), depicting the view of the Forums, also known as Campo Vaccino, as evidenced by the grazing cows visible in the scene. Likely inspired by a similar view by Giovanni Volpato, it faithfully captures the spirit of the Grand Tour. The etching has been trimmed along the margins and shows minor tears at the bottom. 

Presented in a Pompeian red passe-partout with an ebonized wooden frame. 

François Morel worked in Italy, especially in Rome. A student of Volpato, he etched religious objects and landscapes. Source: E. Benezit, volume 9, p. 833, Grund 1999.

Wonderful 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 distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the creation of classic 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 are particularly prominent. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, notably the Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis-Philippe style, and the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the late 18th to early 19th century. This style originated during Napoleon’s reign, heavily influenced by Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture, associated with Louis XVI, also draws heavily from ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. The Baroque style, deriving from the Portuguese word 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl—features highly ornate furniture designed to dazzle with splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Rarely used materials were selectively chosen to emphasize the grandeur of these pieces.

Today, we can see how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which often resembles the historical period. The Renaissance style also left a significant mark, flourishing in the 15th and 16th centuries and greatly impacting furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and robust, often finished with brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and relief carvings. These products were quite distinctive but also introduced new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly defined chest furniture. Mythology and ancient themes were also popular, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance-style furniture. Today, many global brands recreate such pieces, inspired by Italian and French artisans. 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 across countries, and each style had its unique character. This is especially crucial when searching for an exclusive antique that suits your interior.

The key aspect of prestigious antique furniture is originality. Ultimately, this matters most to buyers, as the market is flooded with counterfeits. Luxury Products provides documentation confirming the authenticity of each item, matching the description and photographs. We also have access to art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.