Renaissance Decorative Objects
Spanning an era of cultural rebirth in Europe that harkened back to antiquity, the Renaissance was a time of change in design. From the late 1400s to the early 1600s, Rome, Venice and Florence emerged as artistic centers through the expansion of global trade and a humanist belief in the arts being central to society. Antique Renaissance furniture was ornately carved from sturdy woods like walnut, its details standing out against the tapestries and stained glass adorning the walls.
Renaissance chests, which were frequently commissioned for marriages, were often decorated with gilding or painted elements. Those that were known as cassoni were crafted in shapes based on classical sarcophagi. As opposed to the medieval era, when furniture was pared down to the necessities, a wide range of Renaissance chairs, tables and cabinets were created for the home, and the designs regularly referenced ancient Rome.
Large torchères of the Renaissance era that were used as floor lamps were inspired by classical candelabras, while marble surfaces evoked frescoes. The inlaid boxes being imported from the Middle East informed the intarsia technique, which involved varying hues of wood in mosaic-like patterns, such as those by architect Giuliano da Maiano in the Florence Cathedral.
Tapestry-woven cushion covers accented the variety of Renaissance seating — from conversation to study chairs — while bookcases for secular use reflected the migration of culture and knowledge from the church into the home. The aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance later spread to France through the publishing of work by renowned designers, including Hugues Sambin and Jacques Androuet du Cerceau. Centuries later, the 19th-century Renaissance Revival would see a return to this influential style.
Find a collection of antique Renaissance case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Faience, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
1950s Vintage Renaissance Decorative Objects
Metal, Stainless Steel
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
Mid-20th Century Renaissance Decorative Objects
Mirror
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Glass
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Porcelain
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble
1990s Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Copper, Other
17th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Maiolica
17th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Belgian Black Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Pottery, Majolica, Faience
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood, Fruitwood
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Pottery
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Enamel
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1890s French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1840s Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
1930s French Vintage Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic
18th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ormolu
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Stucco, Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
1860s French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Silver
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Silver
Early 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Pewter
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
1650s Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood, Oak, Walnut
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Renaissance Decorative Objects
Silver, Copper
18th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu