Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
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.
18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Art Glass
Early 19th Century Greek Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Plaster
16th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze, Metal, Silver
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
Mid-19th Century German Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Paper
16th Century English Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Thread, Velvet, Wood
1690s Italian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Metal
1930s Italian Vintage Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Canvas
Late 18th Century Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Other
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Oak
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Gesso, Wood, Paint
20th Century English Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
18th Century European Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
1790s French Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Other
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Marble
Late 19th Century Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze, Other
19th Century Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Canvas
Early 1900s Italian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Paper
19th Century German Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Art Glass
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
18th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Renaissance Historical Memorabilia
Gold