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A Close Look at Renaissance Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Blanket-chests for You
Antique and vintage blanket chests go by many names. You may have heard them called hope chests, dowry chests or Lane cedar chests, with the latter referring to the now-famous case pieces manufactured by the Lane Furniture company.
No matter the name, these were initially large crude wooden boxes with hinged lids where you stowed away your blankets, household linens and possibly some valuables. Everyone can always use a bit more storage in our bedrooms or guest bedrooms, and blanket chests can be a stylish solution to help you stay organized, particularly if you’re short on closet space.
Blanket storage trunks are still typically equipped with hinges on their lids for easy access to their large storage capacity. They’re often rectangular pieces, but in the hands of today’s furniture designers, contemporary blanket chests take on many shapes and are made of varying materials. Most antique blanket chests are made out of wood, from rich mahogany to oak.
Find a wide range of antique, new and vintage blanket chests available for sale on 1stDibs.