When you sit down on an antique chair or sofa, you might notice something surprising: the seat feels higher, firmer, and more upright than the plush lounge furniture of today. This isn’t just coincidence. Seat height has always reflected how people lived, ate, entertained, and even dressed. Fashion—especially women’s gowns and skirts in the 18th […]
The antique game table is a fascinating and versatile piece of furniture, with a rich and varied history. Television and PlayStations weren’t always the entertainment products of choice. As far back as thousands of years ago, people played board games like backgammon on gaming tables. Antique game tables and card tables are some of the […]
When it comes to antique seating, few pieces capture the imagination like the chaise longue. Long associated with aristocratic leisure and refined interiors, this extended chair has taken many forms over the centuries. From the French chaise longue of the 18th century to the elegant duchesse brisée, and from the sculptural récamier to the romantic […]
The Art of the Armrest: A History of Seating Comfort and Status What does an armrest say about a chair—and the person sitting in it? More than you might think. As we trace the history of armchairs, the evolution of the armrest offers a surprisingly rich narrative. From ancient thrones to mid-century masterpieces, the presence—or […]
Introduction: A Hidden World Beneath the Surface Antique furniture tells stories—of craftsmanship, history, and often, mystery. Some of the most fascinating pieces in any collection are those that hold secret compartments, cleverly integrated into their design. These hidden spaces weren’t just curiosities; they served practical—and sometimes political—purposes. From Biedermeier secretaries with concealed drawers to Louis […]
Before emojis or love letters, people turned to flowers to express feelings that words often couldn’t—especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as floriography, the symbolic language of flowers influenced not just literature and fashion, but also interior design and the decorative arts. Nowhere is this more poetically expressed than in flower symbolism in […]
Few objects in the world of decorative arts capture the imagination quite like a Murano glass chandelier. These luminous masterpieces are more than lighting fixtures—they are the embodiment of Italian artistry, innovation, and centuries-old tradition. Handcrafted on the island of Murano near Venice, these chandeliers have graced palaces, villas, and contemporary homes for generations. In […]
When you look closely at an authentic Biedermeier wood veneer piece, something extraordinary happens: the light dances across the surface, revealing a subtle shimmer, a flame-like pattern, or even a mirror-like symmetry. That magic lies not just in the design—but in the wood veneer. The Biedermeier period (1815–1848) was a golden age of refined simplicity […]
Few chairs capture the grace and comfort of 18th-century French design like the Bergère. With its deep upholstered seat, enclosed arms, and exposed wood frame, the Bergère blends form and function in timeless style. But where did this elegant chair come from, and what does its name actually mean? In this post, we explore the […]
How Regional Styles Shaped European Antique Furniture European antique furniture is not just about age or craftsmanship—it’s about identity. Each region developed its own distinctive style, shaped by cultural values, political power, artistic trends, and available materials. From the grandeur of Parisian Empire pieces to the elegant restraint of Viennese Biedermeier design, regional styles tell […]