View of Zurich. "The City of Zurich in Switzerland" copperplate engraving by T. Salmon

View of Zurich. “City of Zurich in Switzerland” copperplate by T. Salmona taken from “The Present State of All Countries and Nations of the World…” printed in Venice around 1740. In good condition, except for a slight discrepancy with the legend (see photo). The engraving is presented in a modern frame.

Elegant 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 products that have a specific character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, 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 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, which imposed a significant resemblance to Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV style. Next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed 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 influence the Baroque style has had on modern classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture-making art. Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky, 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 and broadly speaking, chest furniture. Here, too, there was 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, drawing inspiration from Italian and French craftsmen. 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 elegant antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of elite 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 have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.