The "bateau" bed, a French inventionIn France, the "bateau" bed was produced during the Directoire period (1795-1799), and was very popular during the Empire and Restoration periods. Its name derives from its shape, which ... Read more

Rocaille ornamentation, often evoked in opposition to the antique, appeared in Baroque Europe and developed to the point of transforming the very structure of furniture and objects. Pieces from the ... more

The Transition style: a brief history The Transition style covers the period from 1750 to 1774, and refers to the stylistic evolution which, in the second half of the reign of Louis XV and at the very beginning of the reign of Louis XIV, led to the emergence of the Transition style. ... Read more

The secrétaire à cylindre: an 18th-century inventionThe secrétaire is a piece of office furniture created in the mid-18th century, during the reign of Louis XV. It features drawers and pigeonholes ... Read more

The library as storage furnitureThe library is a piece of furniture for storing books that appeared in England at the end of the 16th century, a little over a century before France, where it was replaced by a bookcase. ... Read more

ChandeliersThe chandelier is a furnishing object designed to catch the light and enhance the brightness of an interior. They were already found in the Middle Ages, in wood and fitted with candles. From the Renaissance onwards ... Read more

Large format and history paintingIn the 19th century, painters used large formats to interpret everything that affected their time and ancient eras, allegorical and mythological scenes, and the history of the world as a whole. ... Read more

The console is a high-legged piece of furniture in the form of a half-table set against a wall. Its original four legs are often limited to two, and is sometimes transformed into a single leg suppor ... more

The earliest manufactured mirrors date back to 6000 BC. The earliest examples are in polished stone, then in polished metal, copper or bronze. Mirrors ... Read more

Atena on online antique sales platformsGalerie Atena enjoys a strong online presence, with virtual stores on Proantic, Selency, Vinterior and 1stdibs. It is present ... more