Confetti box, France, early 19th century

Confetti box, France, early 19th century, round, with a decoration on the lid depicting a woman sitting in an armchair between a girl and a small table with a vase of flowers and various items. A dog at the lady's feet. The decoration features a turquoise-painted edge surrounded by a triple border in gold and black. The box is made entirely of cardboard, with two brass rings at the ends and printed, gold cardboard ribbons on the edges. The decoration is made using the fixé sous verre method, which is a watercolour print fixed under glass. The interior is made of pink cardboard. France, early 19th century.

These are valuable packaging for sugared almonds, sold as gifts or for special occasions. A characteristic feature of these packages is their decoration placed under glass, reflecting the changes in style and taste of the era. Their proliferation went hand in hand with the growth and desire to mark their presence in the markets of confectionery companies, which were rapidly developing at that time. Interestingly, in the production of sweets, attention was always consistently paid to what we commonly call packaging today, focusing primarily on the value of the packaging, even before its contents. Hence the use of ornaments, gilding, twisted silks, printed milk to mimic jewellery. Here are a few national names that capture the essence of the phenomenon: in Turin, the kingdom of chocolate, Caffarel Prochet was born in 1826, and Leone in 1878. In 1888, Lazzaroni & Figli was founded in Saronno. In 1900, SAIWA (Società Accomandita Industria Wafer Affini) was established in Genoa, allowing the confectionery industry to spread throughout the country and Europe.

Confectionery products were sold in wholesale quantities, but soon exclusive products were created for events and celebrations; in this segment are the Boite à Dragées (confetti boxes) that we present in this collection, in which permanent sous verre decorations depict romantic or rural scenes. Made of cardboard, they have an edge adorned with printed and gilded paper ribbon with Greek or leafy motifs; the interior can be divided into compartments. All were made in France between the end of the 18th century and the first decades of the 19th century.

Unique 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 certain character and soul. It is a nod to the history, creation, and design of traditional 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 style, 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 end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. It originated from the reign of Napoleon, where significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek decorations were imposed.

Classicist furniture is the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are all antique products in the Rococo style and Louis XV. 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 drip with splendour 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 the Baroque style has significantly influenced today's classic furniture, which is designed with a great resemblance to the past era. Another significant style is the Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and also left a substantial 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 and generally the broad concept of chest furniture. There was also an interest in mythology and ancient times, so supports or legs took on animal forms.

Lion's paws, eagle's heads – these are common sights in the Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands recreate such furniture, taking examples from Italian or French creators. This 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 distinct 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. And this is ultimately crucial from the buyer's perspective, as there are many counterfeits on 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.