ThePastCentury – curated antiques, mid-century & modern design objects
ThePastCentury is a curated sourcing and restoration atelier based in Southern Germany, shaped by a long-standing cultural and aesthetic proximity to Italy and France. This geographical and cultural position has had a lasting influence on our appreciation of design, craftsmanship, and material quality.
Particularly the Italian design tradition plays a central role in our perspective. Much of what is considered iconic 20th-century design emerged from Italy, where exceptional craftsmanship and industrial innovation met a strong sense of form and proportion. We work extensively with pieces from leading Italian manufacturers and designers from the 1950s through the 1980s, including FLOS, Artemide, FontanaArte, Cassina, B&B Italia, Gavina, Oluce, and Stilnovo, as well as works associated with designers such as Gio Ponti, Giovanni Banci, Achille Castiglioni, Tobia Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, Joe Colombo, and Afra & Tobia Scarpa.
Our collection spans multiple design periods, including Baroque, Art Deco, Bauhaus, 1950s design, Mid-Century Modern, and early industrial and modernist furniture. We focus on original pieces with strong design identity, authentic materials, and well-preserved historical character.
We regularly work with collectible 20th-century design, including 1950s and 1960s furniture, Scandinavian-inspired modern design, Italian mid-century lighting, and architectural industrial objects. Our selection includes designer lighting, table lamps, floor lamps, chairs, tables, sideboards, and decorative objects with clear provenance and lasting aesthetic relevance.
Each piece is carefully selected for its originality, craftsmanship, and visual integrity. We emphasize authenticity over over-restoration, preserving patina, material honesty, and the natural aging process wherever possible.
Our restoration approach is minimal and respectful, using traditional techniques and materials such as hide glue, shellac, and historically correct restoration methods.
We serve an international clientele including private collectors, interior designers, architects, and hospitality projects across Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia.
Specializations include Baroque furniture, Art Deco, Bauhaus design, Mid-Century Modern furniture, 1950s–1980s Italian design, industrial furniture, modern lighting, and collectible design objects.