Elegant antique box for treats from the 19th century

Boite à Dragée, meaning a box for sugared almonds or chocolates, features a decoration on the lid depicting an elegantly dressed woman seen from the back, with a geometric frame adorned with small diamonds on a black background. The round-shaped box is made entirely of cardboard, with two brass rings at the ends and printed and 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 divided into several compartments, capable of holding many sweets. France, early 19th century.

These are valuable packages for sugared almonds, sold as gifts or for special occasions. A distinctive 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 the time. Interestingly, in the production of sweets, attention was always consistently paid to what we now commonly call packaging, focusing primarily on the value of the packaging, even before its contents. Hence the use of ornaments, gilding, twisted silks, printed milk to resemble jewellery. Here are some 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) presented in this collection, where permanent sous verre decorations depict romantic or rural scenes. Made of cardboard, they feature 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 late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century.

Beautiful 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 history, creation, and the 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 is marked by the reigning 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 transition into pseudo styles of classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Beautiful Empire style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It all originated from the reign of Napoleon. There, a significant resemblance 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 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 the significant influence that the Baroque style has had on 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 paws, eagle 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 sign 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. This is ultimately crucial from the client'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.