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.
Italian Terracotta Classical Male Figure, circa 1900
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An elegant Italian terracotta sculpture of a classical youth, circa 1900. Finely modeled and beautifully proportioned, the figure stands in a graceful contrapposto pose, his gaze low...
Terracotta
20th Century French Stone Lion with Shield on Pedestal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century French stone lion holding a shield on a pedestal. A 20th century lion carved from stone holding a crest carved with a lion with wearing a crown. It is a representation o...
Cast Stone
19th Century over Life-Size Marble Statue of Bacchus after Michelangelo
Located in Essex, MA
Mid-19th century over life-size carved marble statue of Michelangelo's "Bacchus". Grand Tour copy through the "Point To Point" method directly from the original keeping its masterful proportions and Fine details in an exact size to Michelangelo's work. We have never seen a 19th century copy of this Renaissance Masterpiece of this size and are quite fortunate to be responsible for its stewardship until purchase by a discerning collector The original "Bacchus" is a marble sculpture by the master, Michelangelo, created circa 1496 when the artist was 21. This statue was originally commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario. However, it was rejected by him and eventually found its way to Jacopo Galli, Cardinal Riario’s banker and a friend of the sculptor, who purchased it in 1506. Some 66 years later it was bought for the Medici and transferred to the royal house in Florence, Italy. Currently it can be viewed at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. It is one of just two sculptures surviving Michelangelo’s initial period in Rome, with the other being Pieta. The artwork: This somewhat oversized...
Marble
Antique French Terracotta Head of a Bearded Man
Located in Hastings, GB
An impressive and large scale terracotta head of a bearded man, French,19th century, old repairs and reinforcements, a striking and captivating piece. Wall mounted, there are two ...
Terracotta
Magnificent Compatible Pair Of Recumbent Carved Marble Lions
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of Male Lions in carved marble resting on octagonal attached slab bases. Originally purchased in London and having incredible classic form. One of the Lions rests with his hea...
Marble
Italian Renaissance Monumental Giltwood Baroque Painted Angel on Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance (17th/18th Century) life-size giltwood and painted angel carved in a Baroque style, resting on a wood column stand. Statue: 33 x 16...
Wood, Giltwood
Isabella d'Este and Francesco II Gonzaga Majolica Busts by Angelo
Located in New Orleans, LA
These two busts, monumental in both their size and artistry, come from the renowned Italian majolica workshop of the famed Angelo Minghetti. Depicted are the Renaissance political an...
Enamel
French Antique Marble Statue of a Leaning Youth
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This early 19th century French antique marble statue of a leaning youth has stood the test of time for over 220 years. This has given the marble ...
Marble
Large Glazed Terracotta Putto Garden Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large garden sculpture in the form of a seated winged putto with hand to lips appearing to shush. The putto is sitting on a plith among flowers and has one hand on a quiver. The gr...
Terracotta
$18,500 / set
Pair of Renaissance Polychromed Kneeling Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) polychromed life size kneeling figures.
Italian Vintage Putto Statue of Hand Carved Wood, Stands
Located in East Point, GA
An Italian hand carved wooden putto figure. This vintage figure from Italy has been hand carved of wood and depicts a nude male child, standing in a twist...
Wood
Lion Stone Sculpture Architectural Garden Renaissance
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This sculpture has taken on a different character over time as it has weathered and the detailing has softened. Time has given it a pared down, minimalist quality juxtaposing the R...
Limestone
18th Century French Statue in Terracotta
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century French terracotta statue with Madonna and child.
Terracotta
$57,000
H 34 in W 53 in D 24 in
Large Pair Patinated Life Size Bronze Statues Sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large pair patinated life size bronze statues sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions. Exceptional detailed high quality Large pair of Patinated bronze statues of...
Bronze
19th Century Lead Statues, Four Seasons
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
In the grand tradition of classical mythology, these four lead sculptures represent the original personifications of nature in all their seasonal aspects. Each figure has been creat...
Lead
Antique Neoclassical Carved Marble Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Neoclassical carved marble horse head sculpture. Dating to circa 1780, this hand-carved sculpture would make a striking decorative piec...
Marble, Carrara Marble
18th or 19th Century White Marble Bust of a Young Woman
Located in Berlin, DE
The marble bust facing frontal with her eyes looking to her right. The hair fastened in a skillfull knot behind, the drapery covers her shoulders and breasts, with another section un...
Carrara Marble
$192,402
H 32.29 in W 58.67 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Sphinxes, Egyptian Revival, France
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Exceptional pair of white Carrara marble Sphinxes on rectangular bases. A very noble female bust combined with the powerful body of a lioness, recumbent with her tail lying flat on h...
Carrara Marble
$12,880
H 43 in W 17.5 in D 15 in
Very Large Original French 19th Century spelter Statue Signed Hippolyte Moreau
Located in New York City, NY
French late 19th century spelter sculpture by Hippolyte Moreau fitted with original 1 7/8" thick rouge griotte marble base. Hippolyte was one of the famous Moreau brothers, all of whom were sculptors. He was born in Dijon France in 1832 and died in 1927. This statue, in a warm chocolate brown patina depicts a diaphanously dressed woman with flowing scarf overhead and winged cherob at her side resting on the crest of a wave and shell. Hippolyte Moreau exhibited in the Salon des Artistes Français at the turn of the century and won a medal at the Universal Exposition in 1878 and another at the 1900 World Expo. Most of his works are preserved in the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon. The light beige pedestal...
Griotte Marble, Spelter
$148,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 127 in W 28 in D 26.75 in
A Pair of French 19th Century Life-Size Val d'Osne Cast-Iron Sculpture Torcheres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A superb quality and palatial pair of French 19th century lifesize cast-iron sculptures - torcheres of Native American Indians titled "L’ Indienne" designed by Jules Salmson (French, 1823-1902) and Cast by Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne, each standing figure representing a Native American Indian male and a female scantily dressed in their native robes, one arm raised holding a light-torch with an opaline glass globe, both wearing earrings, seashell necklaces and arm-braces, raised on cylindrical cast-iron stand. Signed/cast on each pedestal: “VAL D’OSNE”. (Electrified). Paris, circa 1870-1880. Overall hHeight: 127 inches (322.6 cm) Pedestal height: 39 inches (99.1 cm) Indian man's width: 22 inches (55.9 cm) Indian man's depth: 26 3/4 inches (68 cm) Indian woman's width: 28 inches (71.1 cm) Indian woman's depth: 25 inches (63.5 cm) These fantastic and impressive pair of cast-iron sculptures, most likely representing Hiawatha and Minnehaha, were probably comissioned to Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne for export to the America's to decorate governmental buildings and parks which makes these pair a rare find and now available for a private collection. Iron sculptures were preferred over bronze for outdoor park and building decorations for their long lasting resistance to all types of weather conditions. An identical pair of sculptures, also by Val d' Osne, are currently exhibited at the National Garden of Congress in Santiago, Chile. View Pages No. 87, 88, 89. Another identical pair are also currently exhibited at The Musée de la Ville - Indian Museum "O Indio do Museo da Cidade" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Another identical pair decorate the front of the Ópera Teatro Amazonas, Manaús, Brazil. A single figure of the female Indian...
Iron
19th Century Narcissus Neoclassical Marble Statue on Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Narcissus Neoclassical marble statue on pedestal. Carved Carrara marble figure (61"H x 21"W x 21"D) , gray marble pedestal (17"...
Marble
Antique Terracotta Statue, Etruscan Style Draped Figure from Italy
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique Roman / Etruscan style pottery partial statue. Robed figure in draped fabric. Measures: 7.5 inches in height. Exact age unknown, the pieces in t...
Terracotta
Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
Often referred to as “Fu Dogs” in western culture, these handsome stone sentinels are iconic gatekeepers seen throughout China and elsewhere in Asia. Traditional symbols of protectio...
Limestone
$1,800 / set
H 15 in W 12 in D 33 in
Antique Pair of Cast Stone Recumbent Entrance Way or Garden Regal Lion Statues
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice pair of Antique cast stone recumbent regal lions statues - sculptures , perfect for the entrance way or garden. In the style of Antoine-Louis Barye. Nice age and patina.
Cast Stone, Cement
Monumental Pair of Italian Carved Stone Obelisks
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of finely carved elegant stone obelisks on a square base. Timeless decoration for your garden or interior. Measurements, Obelisks - Height cm 210 ( 83 inches ) Bases- Height cm...
Stone
$15,712
H 37.01 in W 13.78 in D 31.5 in
Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Stone
$11,500
H 18 in W 7 in D 9 in
Ancient Art, Athletic Male Nude Dynamic Figure , Bronze Sculpture by Dean Kugler
By Dean Kugler 1
Located in Chicago, IL
This is an extraordinary black bronze sculpture of a male Muay Thai fighter t by artist Dean Kugler. Attention to detail and complete understanding of the hu...
Bronze
Monumental Marble Torso of a Greek Athlete, Italy, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive monumental marble sculpture depicting the torso of a Greek athlete, created in Italy during the 1950s. Inspired by the celebrated fragments of Classical Antiquity, the wor...
Marble
Sold
H 28 in W 15 in D 15 in
Antique French Renaissance Hennecke & Co "Faust & Marguerite" Plaster Statue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Renaissance Hennecke & Cos "Faust & Marguerite" Large Plaster Statue S...
Plaster
Sold
H 28.35 in W 16.54 in D 20.08 in
Renaissance grotesque in the shape of a half-moon - France, 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large grotesque in the shape of a half-moon On a posterior cement base Limestone France, 17th century 72 x 42 x 51 cm
Limestone
16th Century Putti Carving
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful and sweet putti mounted on base. Likely Italian retaining much of the original gilded and painted surface with repainting likely done in the 18th century.
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Sold
H 61 in W 41 in D 22.5 in
Lion Fountains, Lifesize Outdoor Statues, Patinated Bronze, England, 1860s
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Lifesize Bronze Lion Fountains on Pedestals, 19th Century Monumental Outdoor Statues, Priced for pair (two pairs available) Two monumental...
Bronze
Antique Renaissance Style Carved Stone Head Of A Gargoyle On Stand
Located in Bradenton, FL
Stone head of a grotesque mounted on later cast iron stand. Statue has strong detailed facial features with one hand touching right eye. Wonderful old patina. Would look unique and c...
Stone
A fine 19thc Italian Carrera marble life size carved figure of a female
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine life size 19th century Italian Carrera marble hand carved statue. Possibly one of the 4 seasons . Winter or Fall. Fine carving and detail. Excelle...
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 24.02 in W 16.15 in D 6.7 in
Rare 16th Century Sculpture in Precious White Marble of Carrara, Mary with Child
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare antique sculpture in italian white Carrara marble. Great artistic quality, not signed. This rare sculpture can be dated to around the middle of the 16th century in the Renaissan...
Marble
Life-Sized, 16th Century Marble Figure Fragment
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully hand carved, life-sized, Italian Renaissance period, Carrara marble figure fragment of a youth bearing a quiver of arrows. The whole mounted on a stepped, paneled base ...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Sold
H 23.5 in W 17.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Old Impruneta Terracotta Bust of Emperor
Located in Encinitas, CA
Emperor Caracalla of Rome who ordered the building of the Roman baths, captured in an impressive bust: hand-sculpted detail of old well-patinated terracotta from Impruneta, Florence,...
Terracotta
Sold
H 26 in W 19.25 in D 16 in
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Style Impruneta Terracotta Apollo Bust
Located in Encinitas, CA
A bust of the Roman God Apollo depicted in hand-sculpted detail of old terracotta from Impruneta, Florence, circa 1920. Beautiful natural patina aging with lichen. Stamped by maker. ...
Terracotta
Sold
H 25.75 in W 12 in D 12 in
19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Hermes Bust in Grisaglia from Lake Como
Located in Encinitas, CA
Classic Italian bust of Hermes, composed of "grisaglia," the local white cement mixture of tiny stones, impregnated with lichen and moss from aging in the garden. Lake Como area of I...
Cement
Sold
H 24.5 in W 10.5 in D 11.5 in
19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Bust of Venus Goddess of Love and Victory
Located in Encinitas, CA
Classic Roman bust of Venus, Goddess of Love and Victory, composed of "grisaglia," a local white cement mixture of tiny stones, impregnated with lichen and moss from aging. Lake Como area, circa 1890. In the style attributed to Antonio Canova (1757-1822), whose first marble statuary tribute to Venus is located in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Described as the Venus Italica, ordered in 1804 by Ludovico I, King of Etruria to replace the ancient Medici Venus...
Cement
Sold
H 26.5 in W 19.5 in D 16 in
19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Old Impruneta Terracotta Bust of Apollo
Located in Encinitas, CA
A bust of the Roman God Apollo depicted in hand-sculpted detail of old well-patinated terracotta from Impruneta, Florence, circa 1880. After the style of the marble sculpture named ...
Terracotta
19th Century French Sculpted Limestone Lions
Located in Surrey, BC
A pair of magnificent seated lions, hand carved from solid limestone. Unmatched details from the 19th century from flowing manes to charming paws that simply can’t be reproduced. Cla...
Limestone
Cast Stone Statue, France, circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
Cast stone statue, France, circa 1900. With a beautiful patina in the style of Michelangelo's David.
Cast Stone