Timeless Treasures: A Preview of Giftex’s Decorative Arts Auction

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There’s a moment just before the hammer falls when time seems to pause. Screens glow, catalogues are clutched, hearts beat a little faster. Someone is about to win a piece of history. This is the quiet thrill of a decorative arts and furniture auction, where centuries of craftsmanship, culture, and character come alive again, not behind museum glass, but in homes meant to be lived in.

From Neoclassical furniture to richly painted Chinese Famille vases, auctions bring together objects that tell stories. They invite bidders to compete not just for ownership, but for the chance to preserve, display, and enjoy beauty that has already stood the test of time. 

Online auction houses, such as Giftex, play a pivotal role in the global market. It serves as a dynamic platform where antiques exchange hands and histories are rewritten. As Giftex prepares for its upcoming World of Collectibles Auction this December, now is the ideal time to explore why furniture and decorative arts auctions continue to attract collectors, decorators, and first-time buyers alike, and why buying at auction might be the smartest and most rewarding choice you can make.

 

Also Read: Preview of Textiles at Giftex Auction

Why Choose Auction for Antiques

Online auction houses like Giftex provide access to rare objects. Objects once reserved for palaces, salons, or private collections suddenly become attainable.

1. Fair Prices Set by the Market

Contrary to popular belief, buying at auction often costs significantly less than buying from a gallery or antique shop. In many cases, auction prices are 50 to 80 per cent lower than retail.

Why? Galleries set prices based on overhead, branding, and long holding periods. Auctions, on the other hand, let the market decide.

2. Sustainable Furniture

Buying vintage and antique furniture is one of the most sustainable design choices you can make. Every piece purchased at auction is one less newly manufactured item consuming raw materials, energy, and transport resources.

Online auctions take sustainability even further. They require minimal physical space and can be run efficiently from offices rather than large retail showrooms.

3. Auctions Support the Broader Economy

Auctions play a vital role in supporting multiple layers of the economy. Consignors benefit by finding new homes for cherished pieces. Auction houses employ specialists, cataloguers, photographers, and logistics teams. Local artisans, restorers, and framers often contribute behind the scenes.

Giftex: A World of Collectibles Auction

Mark your calendar. Giftex’s A World of Collectibles Auction takes place on December 22 and 23, 2025, bringing together an extraordinary selection of antiques, decorative arts, collectibles, rare books, furniture, and more

Today, we offer a preview of the furniture and decorative arts highlights, pieces designed not to be locked away, but to elevate living spaces, spark conversation, and bring character into everyday life.

Preview Highlights: Furniture and Decorative Arts

1. Italian Marble Garniture Set in Egyptian Revival Style

Bold, dramatic, and unapologetically sculptural, this Italian marble garniture set draws inspiration from Egyptian Revival architecture through an Art Deco lens.

The central mantel clock is supported by a pair of sculpted pharaoh figures and crowned with a finely detailed gilt bronze winged sphinx. The dial, with Arabic numerals, sits within an arched marble structure accented with gilt detailing. Flanking the clock are two matching side pieces, each holding a marble dish elevated by a gilt bronze pharaoh on a corresponding marble base

This is not a subtle ensemble. It is a statement. Perfect for a mantel, console, or grand hallway, it transforms a space into something theatrical and timeless.

2. Rare Fabergé Heirloom Jewellery Cabinet

What comes to mind when you hear the name Fabergé? Opulence. Precision. This jewellery cabinet delivers all of that and more.

Created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the House of Fabergé, this exceptional piece belongs to the Heirloom furniture collection. The hinged top opens to reveal a circular mirror and carefully divided compartments for rings, earrings, bracelets, and treasured keepsakes.

Curved drawers with burr veneer fronts and gilt handles enhance its decorative appeal, while side panels open to provide additional storage for necklaces and brooches. Raised on four tall, fluted legs, the cabinet blends ornamental beauty with everyday practicality.

This is a functional object that feels ceremonial, the kind of piece that makes even routine moments feel special.

Read More About The Faberge Eggs Here

3. Decorative Bronze Longcase Clock with Enamel Work

This bronze longcase clock is a feast for the eyes. Richly adorned with vibrant Meenakari enamel in intricate floral patterns, it showcases a level of detail rarely seen in modern timepieces.

The porcelain dial, finely painted with Roman numerals, features an open escapement and is framed by ornate architectural elements topped with finials and enamelled domes. 

Powered by a Franz Hermle German movement, this clock offers both visual splendour and mechanical reliability. It’s a striking blend of art, engineering, and tradition.

4. Chinese Famille Verte Vase

Chinese Famille Verte porcelain is prized for its vivid palette and storytelling detail, and this baluster-form vase is a superb example.

Against a sea-green ground, richly detailed scenes unfold. Large pheasants perch among red and green peonies, chrysanthemums, and flowering branches. The neck is adorned with foliage swags that frame the composition beautifully.

Whether displayed on a pedestal, sideboard, or in a curated shelf arrangement, this vase commands attention. It’s decorative art with narrative depth, inviting the viewer to linger.

5. Italian Neoclassical Dining Set with Chairs

Furniture should be lived with, and this Italian Neoclassical dining set is designed for both elegance and use.

Crafted from red mahogany wood, the round table features intricate gilded detailing and a beautifully integrated Lazy Susan that adds charm and practicality. The accompanying chairs are upholstered in luxurious, patterned fabric, framed by curved mahogany silhouettes that reflect traditional Italian craftsmanship

This is a dining set meant for long meals, conversation, and memory-making, proof that antique furniture can be both refined and functional.

More Than Objects: Bringing Auctions Into Everyday Life

One of the biggest misconceptions about antiques and decorative arts is that they belong behind glass or velvet ropes. In truth, these pieces were made to be used, admired, and enjoyed.

A marble garniture can anchor a modern interior. A Famille Verte vase can add colour to a minimalist space. A neoclassical interior design with the right accents can host contemporary gatherings. Auctions allow you to curate a home that feels layered, personal, and alive

Refine Your Space, Refine Your Story

Now that you’ve glimpsed the treasures awaiting at Giftex’s World of Collectibles Auction, the next step is yours. Register, explore the catalogue, and imagine where these pieces could live in your world.

Auctions are not just about buying objects. They are about discovering beauty, honouring craftsmanship, and refining the way we live with history.

Join us this December and be part of the journey, where every bid carries a story forward.