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.
Victorian Majolica Jardiniere Renaissance Minton, circa 1876
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
Classical style for this large Majolica jardiniere or table centre signed Minton and dated 1876 cherubs handles and masks on each side of Renaissance Revival. On the middle of 19th c...
Majolica, Ceramic
Antique Spanish Renaissance Scrolling Wrought Iron 57 x 47 Garden Entry Gate Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Spanish Renaissance Gothic Scrolling Wrought Iron 57" (High) Garden Entry Gat...
Wrought Iron
$15,196Sale Price|20% Off
Nude Male Bronze Sculpture Fountain
Located in Malibu, CA
Bronze male sculpture signed. Fonderia Giorgio Sommer Calabritto Napoli Thomas, sculptor, lived and worked in the Naples area, and especially on Capri, from 1889 to 1906. Given this ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$2,598Sale 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
17th Century Oak Carved Socle Pedestal from Northern Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
The product of an immensely talented northern Italian woodworker, this beautiful oak socle pedestal dates to the 1600s. Intricate carvings in the style of the Renaissance embellish t...
Wood, Oak
Antique-patinated Wall fountain, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a large rectangular basin. The simple back panel with subtly profiled side elements and a central spout comb...
Stone
Antique-patinated Wall fountain in Renaissance Style, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a large rectangular basin. The curved back panel with subtle volutes and strong top molding gives the founta...
Stone
Antique 6 Rare 16th–17th Century Renaissance and Baroque Wrought Iron Door Locks
Located in Doha, QA
A remarkable ensemble of six antique wrought iron door locks dating from the late Renaissance through the Baroque period (16th/ 17th century). These large and highly decorative locks...
Wrought Iron
Antique-patinated Wall fountain
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a curved back panel and central rosette spout. The semi-circular basin and slender design offer elegant prop...
Stone
Extremely Rare Medieval-Renaissance Wrought Iron Triple-Lock Wall Safe Door
Located in Doha, QA
An exceptionally rare and remarkably complete late Medieval to early Renaissance wrought iron wall safe door, hand-forged in Austria during the 15th or early 16th century. Originally...
Wrought Iron
Antique Marble Wall Fountain with Dolphin Pedestal, Early Renaissance
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A marble wall fountain with dolphin pedestal. The Campana shaped body of the basin is supported by the dauphin grotesque pedestal which is placed on a raised square foot. The fountai...
Marble
Italian Antique Stone Urn
Located in Encinitas, CA
Exterior Dimension 20” diameter 14.5”H Interior Dimensions 15” diameter 6” H This item is a Renaissance style stone and weathered garden planter, often referred to as a garden ur...
Limestone
$2,208
Marble Wall Fountain
Located in Greding, DE
Fountain made of light marble with a shell-shaped bowl and richly decorated base. The finely sculpted volutes and the ornately carved leaf motif give the piece sculptural depth and c...
Marble
Italian Renaissance Style Wrought Iron Wishing Stone Well Head and Base
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian carved limestone and wrought iron wishing well head from the Veneto area. Great decoration for your garden. It may also be used as a...
Limestone
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
16th Hand Carved Stone Relief Renaissance Building Façade
Located in Marbella, ES
16th Hand Carved Stone Relief Renaissance Building Façade. Modern Iron Foot
Stone
Antique Italian Corinthian Capitals, Hand-Carved Limestone, Circa 1500
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian pair of Corinthian Capitals from the Renaissance period, hand carved in limestone. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1500...
Limestone
French Renaissance Style 'Coat of Arms' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French fireback in Renaissance style with a coat of arms. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The condition ...
Iron
Continental 19th century Renaissance st. Wrought Iron fireplace screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome Continental 19th century Renaissance st. Wrought Iron fireplace screen. This wonderful blacksmith forged fire screen is raised by four iron scrolled supports. The rectangu...
Wrought Iron
Antique-patinated Wall fountain, Renaissance Style, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a straight-lined basin and decoratively curved back panel. The distinctive block design and solid proportion...
Stone
Italian Renaissance Style Wrought Iron Wishing Stone Well Head and Base
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian carved limestone and wrought iron wishing well head from the Veneto area. Great decoration for your garden. It may also be used as a planter. The octagonal base diamet...
Limestone
$976Sale Price|30% Off
Renaissance Style Patinated BronzeTrifid Brazier w. Lion Heads Paw Feet, C. 1900
Located in Germantown, MD
A Renaissance Style Patinated Brass Trifid Brazier with Lion Heads and Paw Feet, Circa 1900s Measures 10.5 in diameter" , 23" in height
Bronze
15th or 16th Century Marble Gargoyle Fountain Spout from Arezzo, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Although when most people hear the word “gargoyle”, they probably envision small, winged creatures with grotesque visages. However, the phrase has a deeper meaning, encompassing any carved head (animal or human) that function as waterspouts. From the Early Renaissance (late 1400’s/early 1500’s), our gargoyle fountain spout features a human-like face with pointed ears, possibly representing a centaur or a satyr. The roughly rectangular block of marble was hand-carved in Arezzo, in the Tuscany region of Italy. All sides except the front of the cream-colored stone have a sawed finish, resulting in a rough texture. The back has been excavated, adding to the character of the gargoyle. A 1 ½” diameter hole has been cut all the way through, forming an open mouth of the gargoyle. The gaping mouth was often a symbol used to conjure images of devouring giants and used to remind people that they are susceptible to certain forces. Our 15th/16th century marble...
Marble
Antique Italian 17th Century Iron Box Lock with Eye of Providence
Located in Doha, QA
An exceptional and rare 17th century large iron box lock, showcasing the ornate craftsmanship of the Late Renaissance- Early Baroque period. Entirely hand-forged in steel and iron, t...
Wrought Iron
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Large Patinated Bacchus Garden Bronze Tazza Urn
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a patinated bronze large round Tazza urn with pedestal. There is a mask of Bacchus with hair made of grapes leaves and ram horns over his head adorni...
Bronze
Antique Cast Stone Table with 3 Lion Figured Legs
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stately round cast stone table top supported by 3 cast stone lion figured legs. The table has wonderful aged patina and character only time ca...
Cast Stone
Monumental 'Excalibur Sword' Garden Statue, England, 1900s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental 'Excalibur Sword' Garden Statue England, Circa 1900s This monumental “Excalibur Sword” garden statue, imported from the UK in the 1970s, is a truly extraordinary Renai...
Cast Stone, Bronze, Steel
Bronze Fountain Statue of A Cherub holding a Fish
Located in Katonah, NY
A bronze fountain figure of a winged cherub holding a fish, the figure standing with proper right foot aloft, the right foot standing atop rock-work base with seashells, the fish of the koi variety, the whole in the spirit of Andrea del Verrocchio’s ca. 1470 “Putto with Dolphin”, and after a similar figure by Leonardo Rossi...
Bronze
Continental 19th Century Renaissance St. Composite Stone And Wrought Iron Well
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scaled Continental 19th century Renaissance st. composite stone and Wrought Iron well. The octagonal shaped well with its oct...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Neo-Renaissance Period Stone Fireplace, Dated 1534
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This outstanding Tonnerre stone fireplace is a masterpiece of the first French Renaissance. It was sculpted in 1534, under the reign of King François the 1st for Philippe Merlan (1503-1546), Baron of Montpont, Lord of Jully-lez-Arnay-le-Duc. This monumental fireplace...
Stone
Vintage Cast Brass English Chester Imp Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderful solid cast brass door-knocker fashioned as a horned imp or devil. The design is based on one found at the 1000 year old Chester Cathedral in England where the imp in question was said to wrought his havoc. Restoration teams discovered a mysterious demonic carving, bound in chains, close to a window in the Cathedral nave. Historians are now labelling the mystery carving as “The Chester Imp...
Brass
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
Large Antique Italian Renaissance Style Stone Frieze
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique Italian stone chimney piece frieze dating to circa 1800. Originally salvaged from a monumental scale fireplace, this frieze displays fine carving in relief depicting...
Stone
Antique-patinated Wall fountain, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a simple back panel and rolled top edge. The semi-circular, solid basin offers a harmonious shape and high s...
Stone, Limestone
16th Century French Renaissance Period 'Arms of France' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
16th Century French Renaissance period fireback with the Arms of France. Coat of arms of the house of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major dynasty in Europe....
Iron
Rare 17th Century French Country Style Limestone Fireplace Mantle with Trumeau
Located in Beervelde, BE
This antique fireplace surround is very unique. The condition and the patina are so important for this piece from the French Renaissance period. This real museum piece is an enhance...
Limestone
Antique carved walnut fireplace with painting from the 17th century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Important antique Renaissance style fireplace made ouf ot carved walnut. The hood is adorned with a large oil on canvas depicting a Renaissance ball scene after the Italian-Swiss painter Giovanni Andrea Casella (see inscriptions found on the back). Casella was born in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1619. He is active in the Italian Piedmont where he is a student of Pietro Da Cortona. He is famous from 1642 and realizes masterpieces for the Castello di Rivoli, the Royal Palace of Turin and the Duomo of Turin (Cathedral of the city). For the Duomo, he performed the painting of Saint-Côme and Saint-Damien on the sixth altar. He is also very active in Switzerland, his native country, where he works with his nephew Giacomo. Both painted in 1662 the two lateral frescoes of the choir of the Church of St. Roch in Lugano. This chimney is composed of old carved walnut elements dating from the 17th century, which were reassembled during the 19th century. The jambs are decorated with carved terms...
Walnut
Renaissance Style Antique Walnut Trumeau Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A tall and boldly carved, columned walnut trumeau fireplace in the Renaissance style. The upper frieze, with a central cartouche flanked by floral scrolls, is set above the main frie...
Walnut
Exceptional Renaissance Wrought Iron Wall Safe Door from a Medieval Castle
Located in Doha, QA
An exceptionally rare and architecturally significant late Gothic wrought iron wall safe door, hand forged in Austria during the late 15th to early 16th century, originating from a ...
Wrought Iron
Rare 16th Century Renaissance Wrought Iron Door Hardware, Escutcheons & Hinges
Located in Doha, QA
An exceptional collection of antique wrought iron door hardware dating from the Renaissance period, circa 16th century. These highly decorative pieces exemplify the artistry and craf...
Wrought Iron
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
$4,000Sale Price|46% Off
16th Century Italian Tuscan Old Chestnut 2 Door Stipo with Losanghe
Located in Encinitas, CA
16th Century Italian Tuscan Old Chestnut 2 Door Stipo with Losanghe. Interesting architectural element composed of 2 framed and trimmed doors of single slabs of very old chestnut. ...
Chestnut
Belgian Marble Antique Pair Renaiscance Period Columns
Located in Beervelde, BE
Rich Renaiscance period half-columns in Belgian Saint-Remy Marble for eclectic interior design. These 2 original antique, 16th century period, columns are mounted on a stand and has ...
Marble
Set of 3 English Renaissance Stained Glass Window Panels, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 English Renaissance style (19th Century) leaded glass window panels with diamond design and figure in center (PRICED AS SET).
Wood, Glass
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
18th Century Italian Frieze Painted Wall Panel #2
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th century Italian wall decorative panel frieze with stunning hand-carved gilded relief. The decorative candelabra gilt relief motif is very classical, hand-carved with alternating...
Wood
$13,019Sale Price|30% Off
Neo-Renaissance Italian Terracotta Fountain. Tuscany, early 19th century
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A fanciful early 19th century Italian terracotta fountain from Tuscany. In neo-Renaissance style, as shown in the photo, the artist's initials I B are engraved. The fountain rests on...
Terracotta
$12,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair Continental Gilt Bronze and Variegated Green Marble Corinthian Pedestals
Located in Germantown, MD
An Amazing Pair of A Pair of Continental Gilt-Metal-Mounted Variegated Grey, Dark Grey and Green Marble Fluted Corinthian Columns, Pedestal Late 19th Century. Etched bronze, Brass in...
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Antique Hand-Carved Limestone Garden Urns, Italian Renaissance, 1840
Located in Encinitas, CA
Italian Antique Pair of Weathered Urns Pair of Antique Hand Carved Limestone Urn Planters, well weathered with greening. Good classic proportions , gadrooned bowl on tapered round so...
Limestone
A fine pair of Italian marble and gilt bronze mounted pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of Italian classical Rouge marble columns with gilt bronze mounts
Marble, Bronze
Italian Majolica Mermaid Wall Brackets, Glazed Ceramic, 20th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a fabulous pair of continental , glazed ceramic wall brackets, 20th century, most probably Italian. Each one shaped as a mermaid, in the grand tradition of Italian majolica. ...
Ceramic
Antique Italian Wall Fountain in Rosso Verona Marble, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique, late 19th Century Italian wall fountain with a richly decorated backsplash depicting a sun mask and scrolls, set on a heavy basin with lateral shields and supported by an...
Marble
Italian Neo-Renaissance Walnut Fireplace Mantel, Attributed to Valentino Besarel
Located in Montreal, QC
This extraordinary mantel is superbly carved, firstly with a simple dentil cornice; above a front panel, carved in high-relief with birds, scrolling leaves and tendrils. The jambs ar...
Walnut
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century English Carved Oak Corbel “the Green Man”
Located in Vero Beach, FL
17th Century English carved oak corbel “The Green Man”. Rare antique decorative architectural ornament of the enigmatic Green Man. Images and carvings ca...
Oak
$1,041Sale Price|55% Off
Polychrome terracotta statue of the Virgin Our Lady of Lourdes
Located in TARBES, FR
Discover this stunning polychrome terracotta statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. This unique piece, imbued with spirituality and beauty, will bring a sacred touch to your interior. Repre...
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Majolica Jardiniere Planter on Pedestal Stand
Located in Pearland, TX
Italian Majolica jardiniere and accompanying stand in the style of Giorgio Andreoli (1470-1555). Decorated in the Renaissance style with ar...
Ceramic
Italian Vintage "Cesto di Frutta Impruneta" Terracotta Centerpiece
Located in Encinitas, CA
Italian traditional Impruneta terracotta fruit baskets: Cesto di Frutta. Woven motif on the baskets, Florence, Italy. Circa 1920. Lichen patina. Set of 2available with slightly diff...
Terracotta
Pair of 19th Century English Renaissance Leaded Glass Window Panels
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Renaissance style (19th Century) large leaded glass window panels with center medallion.
Glass
NVIN0457 Tall Burled Vintage Pedestal
Located in Annville, PA
A Tall Burled Vintage Pedestal featuring beautifully detailed design and inlay work. Produced using gorgeous burled woods and wood veneers each Tall Burled Vintage Pedestal is a work...
Wood
$1,396Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of 20th Century Black Painted Bronze and Slate Urns Mantlepieces
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of 19th Century renaissance style Black Painted patinated Bronze and Slate Urns / mantlepieces Measures 7" in width, 6" in depth x 10" Height.
Slate, Bronze