Atena Gallery

Categories

The Louis-Philippe style (1830-1848)

Beginning at the end of the Restoration (1830), the reign of Louis-Philippe continued until the Revolution of 1848 when Parisian revolts forced him to abdicate and go into exile. The new
The mirror, an iconic decorative object

The history of the first mirrors dates back to around 6000 BC. The oldest examples are made of polished stone, then later of polished metal, copper or bronze
Napoleon III tables and pedestal tables

The Napoleon III style, which spans from approximately 1852 to 1870, is distinguished by a broad blend of styles from the 16th to the 18th centuries. A large number of pieces of furniture feature marquetry in tortoiseshell and metal
The "boat" bed, a star of the Empire era

The "boat" bed, a French invention. In France, the "boat" bed was produced during the Directory (1795-1799) and was very fashionable during the Empire and the Restoration. Its name comes from its shape..
The new generation Antiques Gallery

A little history... The Atena Gallery was born in the Louvre des Antiquaires, a stone's throw from the Louvre Museum, where Frédéric and Nidal Sioufi opened their first gallery in 2001. This exceptional location..
The Empire style (1804-1815)

The Empire style developed under the impetus of Emperor Napoleon I (1769-1821), who reigned from 1804 to 1815. The first stirrings of the Empire style can be found as early as the Directory (1795-1799), but
Silverware in the 19th century

The housewife, an 18th-century invention. The practice of placing cutlery on the table, around each plate, became widespread from the 17th century onwards, and especially in the 18th century. The grand sewers
Rocaille, the story of an ornament

The rocaille style, often discussed in contrast to classical antiquity, emerged in Baroque Europe and developed to the point of transforming the very structure of furniture and objects. The pieces of the
Customer reviews

"Naomi was great and very responsive. Delivery was much quicker than anticipated and my fixture arrived perfectly packed without any damage. The piece itself is gorgeous! I'm very happy with my...
The History of Porcelain Biscuit

Attention, sweet tooths! The biscuit we're about to talk about will make your teeth ache. Whether it's a bust, a peasant woman, a prom queen, or a centerpiece, they're immaculately white, perfect for decorating your home.
Travelogue about Japanese Arts and Crafts

We've just returned from a long trip to Japan, a country where we lived almost 30 years ago—an eternity! We had to go back to the place where we met. Where it all began, where our
The Transition style (1765-1775)

The term Transition refers to the stylistic evolution which, in the second half of Louis XV's reign and the very beginning of Louis XVI's reign, is characterized by the abandonment of the curves and movement of the Romanesque style
The Bargueño, a 17th-century Spanish cabinet

A Bargueño is a type of Spanish writing cabinet ("escritorio") that appeared at the beginning of the 15th century. However, the term was only coined in 1872 by Juan Facundo Riaño, a Spanish art historian
An incredible acquisition: "Voyage de la Sainte Famille en Egypte" by Georges Och

Georges Och, a largely unknown figure. Georges Och was a French landscape painter, born in 1798. To this day, little is known about the life and work of this artist who moved in the circles of..
An exceptional set of Empire-style mahogany furniture

A set of Empire-style furniture in mahogany and mahogany veneer with chased and gilt bronze mounts. It includes a large dining table, a set of 12 gondola-back chairs, and a
Edition Bronzes in 19th Century France

Edition bronze: a social phenomenon. Small-scale sculpture or edition bronze is a surprising phenomenon due to its scale and the variety of technological and commercial means employed
The French clock

From the late 18th century onwards, artists rebelled against classical rigidity and the cult of ideal beauty, expressing their preference for more realistic subjects, closer to their own time
The folding screen, from its origins in Asia to 19th-century salons

The folding screen, this versatile decorative element, has spanned centuries, bringing a touch of elegance and functionality to interiors. From ancient China to 19th-century salons, the folding screen..
Wallpaper panorama by Zuber & Cie: a view of 19th-century America - SOLD

In the history of interior design, few works are as spectacular and refined as the panoramic wallpapers from the Zuber & Cie factory. These monumental decorations, the fruits
The fêtes galantes in the era of Louis XV

You've surely seen them before, on porcelain, canvas, or even tapestry, these charming little couples courting each other in the countryside. But who are they? Why are they sitting right there?
The Empire style cylinder desk

The cylinder desk, also known as a "secretary" desk, is a piece of furniture for storage and writing which, as we will see, experienced a resurgence in popularity during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, which corresponds to the period of
How are porcelain biscuits made?

In our previous article, we explored the rich history of porcelain biscuit. This time, let's turn to the techniques used to create these exceptional objects. Before the creation..