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.
Antique French Renaissance Large Figural Bronze Man & Woman Bust Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Renaissance Revival Large Figural Bronze Man and Woman Bust Andirons ...
Bronze, Cast Iron
A fine and palatial size pair of Italian silvered bronze chenets
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and palatial pair of Italian silvered bronze chenets. Highly detailed with cherubs at the top and the Gods of the winds on either side
Bronze
Vintage Renaissance Brass Figural Soldier Warrior Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Renaissance Style Brass Figural Soldier Warrior Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features cast brass figural forms of warriors, cast iron supports, very nice vintage pair, g...
Brass, Iron
Samuel Yellin Style, Italian Renaissance, Andirons, Black Wrought Iron, 1920s
By Samuel Yellin
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Monumental Samuel Yellin Style Wrought Iron Andirons, Italian Renaissance, Late 19th early 20th century Palatial in Size are these finely cast pair of Arts and Crafts Gothic an...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Renaissance Period French 17th Century Cast Iron Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and large-scale pair of French 17th century Renaissance period cast iron andirons. Each beautiful andiron is raised by thick U-shaped support at the front and an el...
Iron
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze andirons. Each andiron is raised by three handsome paw feet and stunning richly chase...
Bronze
$2,200 / set
Pair of Small Dutch Brass Andirons, 17th Century
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Busts of a queens on spreading mermaid legs, with turned vases on top.
Brass, Iron
19th Century Bronze Sculptural Fireplace Andirons in the Renaissance Manner
Located in London, GB
A beautiful large pair of nineteenth century bronze sculptural andirons of Giambologna’s masterpiece ‘Rape of the Sabine Women' (or 'Abduction of the Sabine Women'). The base is form...
Bronze
Pair of Renaissance Style French 19th Century Cast Iron Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. cast iron andirons. Each andiron is raised by a thick U shaped support at the front and an elongated single back leg ext...
Iron
17th Century Large French Cast Iron Fireback, Louis XIII
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Very heavy and large French cast iron fireback. Displaying five coats of arms and the date; 1622.
Iron
$9,500
H 14 in W 14.25 in D 6.5 in
Pair of French Bronze and Brass Mythological Figural Floral Chenets, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of French bronze and brass mythological figural scrolled floral and step back rocky plinth chenets with supporting iron backs, Early 19th century.
Brass, Bronze, Iron
$2,400 / set
H 26 in W 13 in D 15 in
Pair of Antique Renaissance Revival Brass Andirons, Late 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
These tall and well modelled fire dogs add a decorative accent in summer and a useful complement to your winter fires.
Brass, Iron
Pair of Antique French Silvered Bronze Andirons
Located in New Orleans, LA
These andirons have been silvered, so they are slightly different than the traditional bronze d'ore ones our shop usually carries. They are handsome and will make a statement in any ...
Bronze, Silver
Wrought Iron Horse Andirons, Italian circa 1950
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful pair of Italian wrought Iron andirons in the form of horses.
Brocade
$784 / set
H 12.8 in W 18.12 in D 16.54 in
French Louis XIV Period Fireplace Andirons or Fire Grate, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Louis XIV period andirons made of bronze and forged iron with a newly forged grate. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron, Bronze
Italian Wrought Iron Dragon Andirons, 1920s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian wrought iron Dragon Andirons, 1920s Beautiful Hand Craftmanship.
Wrought Iron
Interesting Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Chenets
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Interesting Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Chenets Each depicting Bacchus, wrapped in grape vines, flanked by a cherub and standing on a bronze base. Details: Height – 19...
Bronze
Pair Bronze Chenets, French 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
A fine opposing 19th century French pair of Louis XV style patinated and dore bronze figural chenets. A patinated male and female figure in reclining position surmounted on beautifu...
Bronze
$8,500 / set
H 12 in W 7 in D 6 in
Cute Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt and Patina Bronze Chenets / Bookends
By Jacques Caffieri
Located in Long Island City, NY
A cute pair of late 19th century gilt and Patina bronze chenets / bookends Depicting a dog and cat perched on a pillow, sitting on a bronze base. This...
Bronze
$650 / set
H 22.5 in W 36 in D 19 in
Pair of Rustic "Curly-Que" Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons, 1800's
By Greene & Greene, Gustav Stickley, Samuel Yellin, Bradley & Hubbard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Rustic "Curly-Que" Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons, 1800's Perfect amount of Rust and Patina. Cones with the Connecting Bar or Crossbar which is typical lost. Crossbar is 3...
Iron
Italian Art Deco Wrought Iron Fire Screen, 1920s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Art Deco wrought iron fire screen, 1920s.
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 50 in W 13 in D 12 in
Large Pair of Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze Andirons by E. F. Caldwell
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
These large and impressive Renaissance style patinated bronze andirons are by the renown firm of Edward F. Caldwell. They are pictured in the Caldwell archives at the Smithsonian in ...
Bronze
Antique French Renaissance Fireplace Grate, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautifully forged late 16th, early 17th century French fireplace basket made of wrought iron. The style of the basket is Renaissance. The cond...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Two-Tone Brass Andirons in the Renaisance Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of two-tone brass andirons in the Renaisance style.
Brass
Sold
H 22.5 in W 12 in D 21 in
Antique Gothic Renaissance Scrolling Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Renaissance Scrolling Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features a heavy cast iron construction, scrolling frame...
Iron
Massive Pair Renaissance Style Bronze Andirons by E. F. Caldwell
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Pictured in the Caldwell archives at the Smithsonian, this important pair of enormous andirons are in the Italian Renaissance style.
Bronze
Pair of Neo-Renaissance Ormolu Andirons
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent pair of cathedral andirons of neo-renaissance inspiration in gilt bronze, adorned with a roaring lion's head surmounted by an obelisk-shaped spire. The irons are thick...
Ormolu
Large Pair of 17th Century Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of impressive large 17th century iron andirons with hooks at different levels to support roasting spit, with baskets at top for holding warming pots. Beautiful old world look ...
Iron
Antique French Renaissance Fireplace Grate, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautifully forged 17th century French fireplace basket made of wrought iron. The style of the basket is Renaissance. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
16th-17th Century Dutch Renaissance Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 16th-17th century Dutch Renaissance andirons made of wrought iron and bronze. The condition of the andirons is good, though some damages and repairs can be seen in the pict...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
16th-17th Century Dutch Renaissance Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 16th-17th century Dutch Renaissance andirons made of wrought iron and bronze. The condition is good.
Bronze, Wrought Iron
French Gilt Bronze Fireplace Chenets
Located in London, GB
This pair of gilt bronze fireplace chenets are connected by a long, shaped piece of gilt bronze, which is mounted as its centre point with a gilt bro...
Ormolu, Bronze
16th Century Italian Renaissance Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Magnificent 16th century Italian Renaissance andirons made of bronze and wrought iron. We have a unique and specialized collection of...
Bronze, Wrought Iron