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.
European Renaissance Style Jewelry Box Steel and Golden Steel Key Blue Velvet
Located in Miami, FL
Middle age Gothic European Renaissance style for the jewelry box in steel with golden parts. We recognize middle age figures all around and on the top of the box and the renaissance architectural...
Steel
Late 19th Century Limoges Enamel Keepsake Box
By Limoges
Located in Paris, FR
Small, rectangular, enamel keepsake box from Limoges. The lid is decorated with a central medallion featuring the profile of an upper-class woman, who was certainly the owner of this...
Enamel
Highly Decorated Renaissance Style Solid Brass Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in Montreal, QC
Highly decorated Renaissance style Belgium solid brass jewelry trinket box.
Brass
Italian 19th Century Renaissance Style Wood Lacquer and Painted Gesso Lidded Box
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful 19th century Florentine rectangular lidded box is entirely decorated in the round with all typical Renaissance Italian patterns. The whi...
Gesso, Plaster, Wood
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Jewelry Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
Jewelry box in 925 sterling silver. The body of the box is rectangular and shaped which makes its line light and harmonious. The hinged lid is hand-engraved with volutes and Florentine lilies...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...
Wood, Lacquer
Large English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1963
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in London in 1963. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Interior ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver Ball/Sphere/Jewelry Box, Modern, Marked
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very pretty sterling silver Tiffany & Co. jewelry ball, box, number 35378 Weighted, 7.
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Enameled Porcelain Box
Located in Land O' Lakes, FL
A salmon colored enamel box with patina bronze surround and latch and topped with a gold laurel wreath.
Bronze, Enamel
Renaissance Revival Style Bronze Box
Located in Tampa, FL
A renaissance revival style solid bronze box of the highest quality. The deep blue velvet interior has a ring holder. The interior depth is two and a half inches. No key. Austria, ci...
Bronze
French Antique Ormolu and Limoges Enamel Jewellery Box
By Limoges
Located in Newark, England
LIMOGES ENAMEL PANELS From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Napoleon III Ormolu and Enamel Jewellery Box. The Jewellery...
Enamel, Ormolu
Vintage wooden Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vintage wooden box possibly oak is perfect for trinkets or Jewelry. It has slidable and removable compartments. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Condition as p...
Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquered Papier Mâché Hand-Painted Box
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good papier mâché, rectangular shaped black lacquered lidded box, hand enameled and gilded, made in Japan during the 19th century, early Meiji period, circa 1875. This rec...
Metal
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 12.25 in D 9.65 in
Renaissance Style Gilt Rectangular Casket , Jewelry, Desk and /or Decorative Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Renaissance style gilt bronze rectangular casket lidded box. It depicts embossed decoration of scrolls of acanthus leaves, birds flowers and hearts around the whole box. In the center of the lid, there is a “cameo” or relief of the profile of a gentleman with a beard. Inside, the box is covered with purple velvet fabric in the lid. It is divided in different sizes and shapes of compartments with glass tray and two inkwell bottles...
Bronze
19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Box, Hand-Painted with Gilt
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a remarkable 19th century, Japanese lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including...
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty Japanese lacquered box decorated with birds and foliage. signed Lacquered inside and outside Late 19th century Without key Nice lock Ideal for storing jewelry.
Wood
French Limoges Enamel Box
By Limoges
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful porcelain and enamel box perfectly exemplifies the esteemed French Limoges tradition. It features a meticulously hand-applied pink and blue floral scene against a bro...
Enamel
Pill box big size Florentine Renaissance Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large round pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enamelled engraving in two colours, in Florentine Renaissance style. Diameter cm. 5 cm high. 2. Weight gr. ...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Gilded Bronze Jewelry Box by Paul Louchet
By Paul Louchet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilded bronze jewelry box by Paul Louchet. Beautiful gilded bronze jewelry box by Paul Louchet from the beginning of the 20th Century in Louis XI...
Bronze
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H 3.25 in W 7.25 in D 6 in
19th-Century Belgian Patinated Bronze Jewelry Box with Medieval Court Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique Renaissance casket was created in Belgium, circa 1880. Rectangular in shape, the gilt bronze box is embellished with French court motif...
Bronze
Late 16th Century Jewelry Chest
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Provenance : Jean Gismondi collection, before 1973. This important walnut jewelry chest is outlined with a gilt motif and presents a decor imitating basketry. The lid is topped by...
Walnut
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H 3.75 in W 7.25 in D 6.75 in
19th Century French Patinated Bronze Jewelry Box with Mythology Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique Renaissance casket was created in France, circa 1880. Rectangular in shape, the gilt bronze box is embellished with mythological motifs...
Bronze
Erhard & Söhne Cherub Brass Box Germany, C.1920
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Erhard & Söhne cherub brass box, Schwäbisch Gmünd Germany C.1900. Superlative quality, decorated and embellished on all sides with various cherubs playing. Original lock and lion key...
Brass
20th Century Solid Silver Engraved Jewelry Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
Rectangular jewelry box. The box was made of 800 solid silver and completely hand engraved with typical scrolls of engravings that were fashionable in Renaissance Florence. The inte...
Silver
French Bronze Jewelry Box with High Reliefs, circa 1880
Located in Miami, FL
A French cast bronze jewelry box intricately designed and handcrafted, circa 1880s. This intricately carved box depicts the romantic poem of Le Roman de la Rose (The Romance of the Rose). 19th century, elaborately cast in high relief depicting scenes in the manner of David Teniers, warm dark brown patina. Le Roman de la Rose, begun by Guillaume de Lorris circa 1230 and completed, in a different style, circa 1270-1280, by Jean de Meun, builds on the concept of courtly love found in the poetry of the troubadours. The authors create a complex allegory of the romance between the Lover and the Rose. In the quest to pick the Rose (to achieve the conquest of love), the flower and its attendants represent the Lady and her sentiments while being wooed. In the first part of the poem, written by de Lorris, the Lover recounts his dream, ending with the winning of a kiss from the Lady. In the dream, the Lover discovers a walled garden and gains entrance thanks to a beautiful young woman. He meets Diversion and dancers who represent courtly values such as Beauty and Generosity. A tour of the garden brings him to a beautiful bed of roses by the Fountain of Love...
Bronze
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H 12.01 in W 20.87 in D 12.01 in
Strongbox Safe Iron Table-Top Renaissance Painted Nuremberg Armada Chest Folk
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Exceptional, small, late-renaissance, table-top, Nuremberg, iron, 'armada box', strongbox or travelling safe with its original, naïve, painted decoration ...
Iron
Antique Silvered Bronze Casque in Medieval Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large Medieval style casque with tall hinged hip roof. Overall high relief decoration of genre scenes with male and female figures set in columned arcades. The lid with a lattice pat...
Bronze
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H 13.5 in W 17.5 in D 12 in
Rare Late 19th Century Italian Marquetry Miniature Fall Front Table Cabinet
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This type of table cabinet has its origin in the 1600s where hey were popular in both European and Asian styles. This particularly rare cabinet dating to the 19th century is fashione...
Brass, Iron
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H 7 in W 10 in D 7 in
Antique Enameled Copper and Wood Table Box by Alphonse Giroux Paris, circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
This phenomenal enameled copper and ebonized wood table box was made by Alphonse Giroux in Paris, circa 1850. Each of the expertly enameled grisaille scenes...
Bronze, Copper