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.
Late 19th Century French Centerpiece - Bronze - Putto with Crystal Dish
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant 19th century French centerpiece, finely cast in bronze with gilt patina, featuring a putto holding a beautifully cut crystal dish. The richly decorated base shows intricate s...
Crystal, Bronze
NVIN0499 Vintage Faux Leather Waste Can
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a Vintage Faux Leather Waste Can. Cast from resin the planter has been given a super high end look by decorating it to appear as though it is wrapped in leather and painted with what looks like gold tooling. Ingeniously designed to resemble an antique waste basket...
Mahogany
17th Century Heavy Copper Bowls with Ladle Covered with Tin, Handmade
Located in Vigonza, Padua
17th century heavy copper bowls with ladle covered with tin, handmade fascinating, antique objects for collectors. The bowl is widely engraved by hand.
Copper, Tin
Bronze Pharmacy Mortar Italy-17° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant bronze mortar from the 17 century from Italy dated 1630. Really rare mortar due to his big size. In very good condition and beautiful patina.
Bronze
Majolica Plate Centerpiece Ceramic Wall Dish Hand-Painted Dolphins Deruta Italy
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Majolica dish hand made and hand-painted in Deruta, Italy, according to the original Renaissance painting technique. The dish is enriched by the presence of four metamorphic dolphin-...
Ceramic, Majolica
Bronze Mortar, Tuscany, Second Half of 16th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bronze mortar with garlands, flowers and putti - Tuscany , second half of 17th century. Measures: height 10 diameter : 13 cm Artisans and healers used mortars for grinding food...
Bronze
Rare Offering Basket or Basin Germany-16th Century in Brass
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Rare basin (We think it was the basin to wash the feet on hollyThursday) in brass Rare plat of the german renaissance since it is rather a basin which is much rarer than a offering basket...
Brass
Cast Bronze Copper Flashed Patinated Renaissance Style Charger
Located in Hudson, NY
This charger made as an intentional remake of a famous object is fully embossed on the back as such and contains the maker's name. The charger contains many different scenes from ant...
Bronze, Copper
19th C. Renaissance Gilt Bronze Sculptural Tazza Signed E. Cana 1845-1895 French
By Louis Emile Cana
Located in Germantown, MD
A very richly decorated 19th Century renaissance style gilt bronze and marble Tazza by French artist Louis Emile Cana. Top dish decorated with multiple embossed wild life birds and a...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Limed Oak Dish or Plate, English, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely limed oak plate or dish. English 1920s. The piece has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the oak.
Oak
Haviland Limoges France Decorative Plate La Chasse a La Licorne 1979 Limited Ed.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Robert Haviland & C. Parlon Limoges France Decorative Plate 1979 Limited Ed # 3. Limited Edition collectible plate "The Lady and the Unicorn" by Robert Haviland & Co and Limoges France. Haviland Limoges France Limited Edition Porcelain Collector Plate "La Dame a La Licorne". La Chasse a La Licorne Limoges Haviland C. Parlon Collectible Plate. 1970s French Limoges limited edition and 22-karat gold collectors plate by Haviland & Parlon. This coveted and rare collector plate display a scene from the famous late fifteenth century Renaissance Paris tapestries of unicorn hunting scene ," La Chasse A La Licorne". The plate is hand painted with an incredible amount of detail, bright and bold colors with a 22-karat gold rim. Made of porcelain with a glossy finish, this round plate features a stunning multicolor fairy tale design with a unicorn theme. The plate is handmade and painted, and is part of the Limoge product line. This vintage Haviland Limoges La Chasse a la Licorne Unicorn Plate...
Porcelain
Vintage Medieval Knights Metal Dish Plate Ashtray by FIA Lyon France
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a decorative plate vintage medieval knights metal dish plate ashtray FIA Lyon France. Stainless steel. Stamped by maker. Dimensions: 1.13" H x 5.13" in diame...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$1,481
Bronze Pot, 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Flemish Renaissance bronze pot from the 16th century. Superb patina and in very good condition.
Bronze
17th Century Italian Bronze Cup Or Urn
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare chiseled bronze basin from the Italian Renaissance. Very beautiful workmanship. Uncommon and very decorative object. Very beautiful patina and in superb condition.
Bronze
Brass Offering Dish With Gothic Inscriptions Nuremberg Circa 1600
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb offering dish in brass from the end of the 16th century/early 17th century circa 1600 from Nuremberg-Germany Very beautiful large offering dish with a rose sculpture in its ce...
Brass
Antique French Renaissance Figural Brass Repousse Fireplace Coal Scuttle Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Renaissance Figural Brass Repousse Fireplace Coal Scuttle Bucket. Circa Early 19th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 12" W x 10" D.
Brass
Hand Painted Blue Majolica Handles Bowl Centerpiece Ornament Renaissance Deruta
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This fine majolica centerpiece is made and hand-painted in Deruta, Italy. The Bowl recalls the ancient structure of the Greek cups that were used to mix wate...
Ceramic, Majolica
"Temperance" Ewer and Its Basin in Silver Bronze, After François Briot, Xixth Ce
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
ewer and its basin called "Temperance", in silver-plated bronze, in the style of the Renaissance, after the model of François Briot, preserved in the Louvre Museum. The egg-shaped...
Bronze
Large Ormolu-Mounted Cut Crystal Dish in Renaissance Taste
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century cut crystal and gilt bronze dish in Renaissance taste. The circular cup is decorated with cut-diamond patterns. It is set on a baluster-shaped stem that is embellished...
Crystal, Bronze
$408Sale Price|50% Off
H 5.52 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Antique Victorian Historism Majolica Pedestal Bowl / Centerpiece Knights Dragons
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique Historism centerpiece / pedestal bowl is made of polychrom glazed majolica and features four cartouches decorated with high relief knight helmets and dragons. The manufa...
Ceramic, Majolica
$1,232Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20.28 in W 8.27 in D 0.99 in
Renaissance Period Hand Carved Oak Panels, 16th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of two 16th century oak panels, one representing a character accompanied by a dog, the other a character in flames, probably saints. These ...
Oak
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Wastepaper Can
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of rustic charm to your space with this Vintage Boho Carved Wood Wastepaper Can. Hand-carved with intricate detailing, this wastepaper bin combines practicality with bohe...
Wood
Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl
Located in Hudson, NY
This good sized bowl is a great example of the majolica wares produced in Italy throughout the 15th, 16th, 17, and 18th centuries. Humble and simple but highly decorative and enterta...
Majolica
Vintage leather paper waste bin
Located in TILBURG, NL
Mid Century Modern full leather paper waste bucket. In used condition with nice 'Rock & Roll' patina. Oval shaped top, round bottom. Not sure about the country of origin but possibly...
Leather
$2,400
H 9.65 in Dm 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
Marble, Bronze
Marble Mortar from 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice mortar is made of white marble. This is a French work from 18th Century
Marble
Small 19th Century French Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Dallas, TX
This small bronze mortar and pestle are from 19th century France. The outside of the mortar has been adorned with mascarons and geometric patterns that rise from chased sides. The pe...
Bronze
Spanish 18th Century Mortar and Pestle
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome 18th century mortar and pestle hand carved from a solid block of wood. Sensational patina. A wonderful object for table top, bookca...
Wood
Leather Waste Basket by Merit Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful leather waste bin in the style of Jacques Adnet produced by Merit Los Angeles. Made entirely of a thick cowhide leather in a distressed sad...
Leather
19th Century Bronze Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The cup shaped cast body decorated with incised ring-turned detail, rising from a waisted & stepped circular foot, together with its original pestle. Combined weight, 3.75 lbs.
Bronze
Fornasetti Waste Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Piero Fornasetti Roman Coin Waste Basket Original surface exhibiting wear Decal Label
Metal
Antique Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Tazza, Circa 1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique Italian hand-carved alabaster tazza centerpiece pedestal bowl the basin rim decorated w/ vines and leaves / the pedestal stem in a twisted mythological dolphin design. Nicely...
Alabaster
Sold
H 16.75 in W 20.5 in D 14.5 in
Antique English Renaissance Unicorn & Lion Brass Figural Coal Bucket Log Bin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Renaissance Unicorn & Lion Brass Figural Coal Bucket Log Bin. Item features an ornate debossed brass form with lions, unicorn, shield, winged maidens, and fancy scrol...
Brass
Italian Bowl with Fruit Trompe L'oeil
Located in New York, NY
An Italian white ceramic bowl with fruit and leaf design in Trompe L'oeil style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. An oval bowl with ribbon-like design and fruit and leaves on each end ...
Ceramic
SECOND HALF OF THE 16th CENTURY POLYCHROME MAIOLICA PLATE
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid plate in polychrome glazed majolica in yellow, blue, green and manganese. The plate has a wavy rim which gives it the name "crespina", and in the center it is adorned with t...
Maiolica
Madeira Banana Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Set your table in fun tropical style with this banana decorated centerpiece from Bordallo Pinheiro. Made from earthenware, this centerpiece features a banana design. It is sure to br...
Earthenware
Heavy 16th Century French Bronze Mortar with Handles, Dated 1587, 109 lbs
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and heavy (it weighs 109 lbs!) example of a traditional French pharmacy bowl, this bronze mortar with handles is from 1587, as seen on the production date beneath the molded ...
Metal, Bronze
Renaissance style Gilt and Silvered Bronze Alms Dish, early 19th Century
Located in Wichita, KS
Renaissance Style Gilt and Silvered Bronze Alms Dish from the Early 19th Century. This beautiful example of 19th Century religious artifacts is truly stunning. The bronze bowl is...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Large 18th Century, Italian or French White Marble Mortar Phenomenal Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely Italian or French, 18th century. An impressive and large mortar carved from a single block of white marble. Showing phenomenal antique patina - this piece was heavily used du...
Marble
17th Century Alms Brass Dish, 15"
Located in New York, NY
Large brass circular alms dish having an ornate circular rim with hand tooled decoration, and a shaped dish center with raised flower decoration to the middle. Nuremberg 16th/17th ce...
Brass
19th Century Ornamental Brass Alms Dish with English Coat of Arms 18.25"
Located in New York, NY
18th Century Ornamental Brass Alms Dish featuring an English coat of arms, measuring approximately 18.25 inches in diameter. This exquisite piece serve...
Brass
Sold
H 2.25 in Dm 21.75 in
Antique 18/19th Century Ornamental Brass Alms Dish with Dove Motif (21.75")
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite 19th-century English ornamental brass alms dish, meticulously crafted to serve as a captivating vessel for collecting offerings from congrega...
Brass
16th Century Italian Maiolica Faience Dish with a Young Man Portrait
Located in Milano, MI
Mid-16th Century Italian Maiolica Dish hand-painted in blue and ocher yellow color with a profile young man portrait in the center. The maiolica col...
Maiolica