Arco di Porta Ticinese in Milan, etching by Naymiller and watercolor by Landini, 1840

Arco di Porta Ticinese in Milan, etching by Naymiller and watercolor by Landini, circa 1840, aquatint. Included in the work “Souvenir de Milan” published in Milan at Bossi Antonio Piazza del Duomo no. 4079 [1828-40]. “Milan in Old Prints” Paolo Arrigoni 1969 vol. I no. 163, p. 54. In good condition.

The gates were designed by Luigi Cagnola in a neoclassical style and built between 1802-1814. In 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, a Latin inscription “paci populorum Sospitae” (“to the peaceful liberation of nations”) was placed on them.

The gate was positioned diagonally over the naviglio grande dock, beyond the Spanish walls, to force those entering the city to pay a toll.

In traditional Milanese popular culture, it is also known as porta Cicca, from the Spanish “chica,” meaning “small.”

Prestigious antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage items that have a distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly notable. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo styles of classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, characterized by significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Interesting and noteworthy are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. The next style is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces meant to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique materials were selectively used to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style has had on modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and solid, using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. It can certainly be said that these were quite specific products, but they opened up many new possibilities, such as the construction of cupboards or broadly speaking, chest furniture. Additionally, mythology and ancient times were of interest, so supports and legs often took animal forms.

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