Renaissance Decorative Boxes
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.
17th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Ebony
1890s French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Brass, Bronze
2010s French Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Paper
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood, Paint
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Pewter
1970s American Vintage Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Resin
1980s Italian Vintage Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century British Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Iron, Brass
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver, Enamel
16th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Bronze, Copper
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Other
19th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood, Fruitwood
18th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Enamel
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Gesso, Plaster, Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Rock Crystal, Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
1830s Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
Late 17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Poplar
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Walnut
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Iron
18th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Paper
19th Century German Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
17th Century German Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wrought Iron, Iron
17th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Metal
Mid-18th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Metal
20th Century British Renaissance Decorative Boxes
20th Century British Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Gold
1680s English Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Oak
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Leather
20th Century British Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
20th Century Russian Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
1890s Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Poplar
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Brass
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Iron
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Iron
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Other
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Early 1900s European Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
17th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Wood
16th Century British Antique Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Chestnut, Oak