Imperial villa of San Martino on the island of Elba from the 19th century

The imperial villa on the island of San Martino Elba. Lithograph printed in two colours by Eugène Ciceri according to instructions by André Durand, published in Paris by Lemercier and included in the renowned work “L’Ile d’Elbe album recueilli sous la direction de M. le Prince Anatole Demidoff, 1862”. The print is mounted in an original frame made of hand-marbled cardboard in shades of green, and the whole is framed in a moulded rod in Sienna yellow. The view in question was photographed from the village.

André Durand, a respected illustrator and lithographer, as well as an expert in archaeology, encouraged by the enthusiasm of Russian Prince Anatole Demidoff, published for the first time an album containing 18 lithographs of picturesque views of the island of Elba (in collaboration with Eugène Ciceri). These are evocative works depicting the wild and partially unexplored island. Among them are external views of Portoferraio, Rio Marina, Marciana, as well as the Imperial Villa San Martino with the Napoleonic Museum founded by Prince Demidoff.

Below is the content of the message. On the left: André Durand del. In the centre: Imperial Villa San Martino. Emperor Napoleon's residence in the years 1814–1815, general view made in 1852. On the right: lithograph by André Durand and Eugène Ciceri.

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 history, the 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 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.

Original Empire style furniture dates from the end of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th century. It all stemmed from Napoleon's reign. There, a significant resemblance and references to Roman and Greek decorations were imposed.

Classicist furniture is the Louis XVI style, which also strongly refers to ancient architecture. Interesting and worth noting 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 that were meant to literally drip with 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 great similarity to the past era. Another significant style is the Renaissance, which 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 generally 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 should be remembered 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. The Luxury Products brand provides a document certifying the product's compliance with the actual description and photo. At your disposal, we have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world.