Antique portrait of a man with a weapon from the 17th century

Jacob de Gheyn Portrait of a Trough, an engraving from 1607 depicting a soldier in military uniform with an arquebus. It is an important example of late Mannerist engraving art. De Gheyn, a Dutch painter and graphic artist, was one of the most influential Flemish artists of his time, dedicating a significant part of his career to depicting military themes, a particularly relevant subject in 17th-century Europe, marked by conflicts and wars.

The engraving is part of the work Wapenhandelinghe van Roers, Musquetten ende Spiessen, a manual on the use of weapons, which not only contains instructions on their use but also serves as a historical document providing information on the customs and life of soldiers of that era. The engravings in the volume illustrate a wide range of military figures, with particular attention to the details of uniforms and weapons, reflecting the tactical-military evolution after the Union of Utrecht in 1579.

The central figure of this Baroque work, a warrior with a halberd, symbolises not only power and nobility but also an era in which innovative combat strategies and infantry organisation, promoted by figures such as Maurice, Count of Nassau, changed the landscape of battles in Europe. The sheet of paper with a watermark measures mm. 355 x 230, is in good condition and is packed in an ivory-coloured cardboard package.

Original antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there are more and more enthusiasts of high-quality old products that have a specific character and soul. It is a nod to the history, creation, and design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

There are many different styles characterising antique furniture, but we can distinguish a few of the most important ones. Eclectic furniture belongs to the 19th century, which saw the reign of the Biedermeier style. Its variations in the early years of this century include Neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe, and finally, the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles transitioned into pseudo-styles of Classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Original Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It all stemmed from the reign of Napoleon. There, a significant resemblance and references to Roman and Greek decorations were imposed.

Classicist furniture is in the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are all antique products in the Rococo and Louis XV styles. Next is Baroque, whose name comes from the Portuguese barocco – which translates to an irregularly developed pearl. These were very representative pieces of furniture, meant to literally ooze glamour and play a significant role in luxury. Exceptional, selectively used materials were employed to further emphasise the lofty tone of these products.

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style had on today's classic furniture, which is designed with a great resemblance to the past era. The Renaissance is also a significant style. It flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a significant mark on the art of furniture making. The Renaissance style was quite heavy and massive. Brown stains were used, as well as cornices, strong plinths, and bas-reliefs. It can certainly be said that these were quite specific products, but they offered many new possibilities, such as the construction of sideboards or, in general, the broadly understood chest furniture. Here, too, there was an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports or legs took on animal forms.

Lion's paws, eagle's heads – this is a common sight in the Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands recreate such furniture, taking examples from Italian or French creators. It is a manifestation of admiration and care for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that in each country, furniture making was perceived differently, so each style in a given country had its own separate character. This is very important, especially when searching for the right luxury antique for your interior.

The most important aspect of stylish antique furniture is originality. This is ultimately crucial from the customer's perspective, as there are many counterfeits circulating in the market. Luxury Products provides a document confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photo. At your disposal, we have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.