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.
$2,560Sale Price|50% Off
17th Century French Renaissance Hand-Carved Front Section of a Built in Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful carved Renaissance front section was a part of a built in cabinet. The carvings are typical for Bretagne area in France and it can be ...
Oak
16th Century Flemish Renaissance Carved Oak Panel with Female Portrait Medallion
Located in Meulebeke, BE
An exceptional Flemish Renaissance carved oak panel dating from the 16th century, featuring a finely carved female portrait enclosed within a circular medallion and framed by elegant...
Oak
4 Stained Glass of Painter of the Flemish Renaissance and Their Painting
Located in Brussels, Brussels
- Magnificent set of 4 windows of the 19th century representing the great painters of the Flemish Renaissance. At the top of each stained-glass window are men playing guitar, smokin...
Glass
$8,950 / set
H 10 in W 92.5 in D 1.5 in
Outstanding Set of 3 16th Century Spanish Ceiling Panels, Beams
Located in Round Top, TX
An outstanding and exceptional set of 3 16th century ceiling panels - beams from Barcelona. Hand hewn solid wood panels beautifully painted. Fabulous architectural elements to incorp...
Wood
Stained Glass Panel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Offering this stunning stained glass panel on chain. In the shape of a floral tree with various colors and pattern. Also have many shades of green,...
Stained Glass
Turn of Century Triptych Stained Glass Windows
Located in Asheville, NC
Early Arts and Crafts, oak framed trio of leaded stained glass windows.
Lead
18th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Decorative 18th century carved wooden panel featuring beautifully executed hand-carved ornamentation within a painted framework. Originally part of a larger architectural interior, t...
Wood
$7,000Sale Price / set|46% Off
H 51.5 in W 16.25 in D 1 in
2 Rare Antique 19th C. Neo Renaissance Figural Leaded Stained Glass Windows 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive Pair of stained glass windows of the highest quality, painted with grisaille and enamels on cathedral glass, circa 19th century. Representing two Renaissance Halberdier...
Stained Glass
$28,750
H 93 in W 60 in D 1 in
Large Italian Stained Glass Vitreaux Window *The Presentation of the Virgin Mary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Large Stained Glass and Hand-Painted Vitreaux Panel depicting "The Presentation of the Virgin Mary", also called Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, feast celebrated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern churches on November 21, depicts the Mother of God’s entrance into the Temple. It was held in the Eastern church in the 6th century but did not become widely accepted in the West until the 15th century. The finely executed colorful stained glass panel beautifully displays the presentation of the child Mary in the temple...
Stained Glass
$145,000
H 116 in W 613 in D 4 in
16th Century English Renaissance Carved Oak Paneled Room, Tudor Style
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance (Tudor-16th Century) oak carved linen fold design paneled room with a mantle, overmantle carving and a Pair of spindle design open doo...
Oak
$4,000 / set
H 61.03 in W 38.19 in D 0.79 in
Henry LHOTELLIER (1908-1993) 2 abstract stained glass windows with their frame
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Henry LHOTELLIER (1908-1993) 2 abstract stained glass windows with their frame circa 1970
Glass
French Louis XVI Period Carved Wood Panel, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant French wood panel dates from the Louis XVI period and features finely carved motifs symbolizing the attributes of a gardener, a theme closely associated with late eighte...
Wood
$5,950
W 45.25 in D 2 in L 32.25 in
Late 18th Century French Carved Boiserie Panel with Original Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful late 18th to early 19th century French carved wooden boiserie panel featuring elegant neoclassical ornamentation and a richly layered original painted surface. The panel ...
Wood
Late 19th Century Renaissance Style Carved Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique carved cabinet having a central marquetry inlaid door panel with high relief carved rope design flanked by carved figural columns, panel...
Wood
17th Century Italian Tortoiseshell Table Cabinet
Located in Bradenton, FL
17th century Ebonized case with parcel gilt decoration, iron handles and hinges. Fitted interior with inset tortoiseshell panels surrounded by brass filigree inlaid ebonized wood drawer and door fronts. Faux painted architectural columns on either side of center door which opens to reveal an additional set of small drawers. A rare early cabinet...
Tortoise Shell
Sold
H 40.25 in W 18 in D 1.25 in
Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Pitch Pine Panel Double Faced, Linen Fold
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French pitch pine panel features an intricately hand carved linen fold motif. Double faced, this piece may be viewed from both sides. Architectural fragment as...
Pine
Italian Renaissance Style Coat of Arms Wall Carvings
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style (19th century) carved oak vertical coat of arms wall carving with 2 griffins centering a helmet above 3 crowns.
Oak
Pair of 17th Century Renaissance Style Carved Panels from France
Located in Dallas, TX
These phenomenal hand-carved architectural panels date to the 1600s. They are completely carved in relief, and they are in the Renaissance style with motifs of scrolling rinceaux at ...
Wood