Renaissance Wall Decorations
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.
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Stucco
17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 17th Century French Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Fabric, Wool, Cotton, Silk
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Terracotta
Early 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Stucco
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1790s Greek Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood
17th Century Greek Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Marble
Late 18th Century French Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Giltwood
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century European Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Copper
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Other
16th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wool, Silk
17th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Stone
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Canvas
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Gold Leaf
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood, Ivory, Felt
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Textile, Wool, Silk
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
17th Century English Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wool, Silk
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Slate
16th Century Swiss Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
16th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Canvas
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wool, Silk
18th Century Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Gesso, Canvas, Giltwood
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wool, Silk
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood, Paint
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wall Decorations
Wool, Silk