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.
Marble Brass Decorative Object Paperweight Renaissance Style
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial marble decorative object or paperweight with brass putti and grapevine relief design, in the Renaissance style, circa mid to late-20th century. This piece...
Stone, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Cristal D'Albret France Christopher Columbus Sulphide Paperweight Faceted Blue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1970s Cristal D'Albret France Limited Edition Christopher Columbus Sulphide Glass Faceted Cobalt Blue Paperweight (No box or COA). Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 1.75...
Glass
Cristal D'Albret France Christopher Columbus Sulphide Paperweight Faceted Blue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1970s Cristal D'Albret France Limited Edition Christopher Columbus Glass Faceted Cobalt Blue Paperweight in Original Box. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: (Box) 2" H x ...
Glass
$760Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell Add a touch of classical whimsy to your home or office with our tole figural knight inkwell. Made in later 19th century ...
Metal
Table lectern of Garcilaso de la Vega. Spain, circa first third of 16th c.
Located in Madrid, ES
Table lectern of Garcilaso de la Vega. Spain, iron, circa first third of the 16th century. Bibliography: MARQUÉS DE SIERRA BULLONES, “Garcilaso: Four Notes on the Occasion of Commem...
Iron
Italian Venetian Style Crystal Paperweight
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) multi colored round crystal paperweight with 5 bubbles.
Crystal
Italian Venetian Style Crystal Paperweight
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) round colored crystal paperweight with 3 blue flowers.
Crystal
Italian Venetian Style Blue Crystal Paperweight
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) blue swirl design colored crystal paperweight.
Crystal
Italian Venetian Style Floral Crystal Paperweight
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) multi colored round crystal paperweight with floral design.
Crystal
Vintage French Renaissance Silver Plated Figural Italian Inkstand Desk Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Renaissance Silver Plated Figural Italian Inkstand Desk Double Inkwell. Item features double inkwell with inserts, central can...
Silver Plate
Wonderful Signed Bronze Sculpture Juan Clara Ayats Onyx Girls Playing with Chair
By Juan Clara
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful signed patina bronze sculpture by Juan Clara Ayats on an onyx base of two girls playing with a chair, Spanish artist (1875-1958).
Onyx, Bronze
Italian Venetian Style Floral Crystal Paperweight
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) round colored crystal paperweight with pink, yellow, and blue flowers.
Crystal
18th Century Venetian Bronze Figural Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze urn-shaped inkwell rests on three winged-horses evoking movement and action. The body of the inkwell is decorated with faces among garlands and the lid is topped by a seated putti holding fruitVenetian patinated bronze figural inkwell...
Bronze
Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...
Marble
Vintage Marble Egg Decorative Object, Pink and White, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Marble egg is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. Made in Italy. The work is realized entirely in marble. The egg is re...
Marble
19th Century Lectern Louis-Philippe Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This Louis-Philippe period table lectern in cherrywood resting on four turned legs, has three positions for three different reading angles. France, circa 1840.
Cherry
$48 / item
H 0.4 in W 5.91 in D 2.76 in
Handcrafted Brass Gecko Decorative Paperweight in Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Beautiful hand cast bronze patinated gecko paperweight. The polished details in the gecko's feet highlight the characteristic rose gold colour of bronze. Each of these geckos are ha...
Bronze
$48 / item
H 0.4 in W 6.7 in D 3.35 in
Handcrafted Brass Gingko Leaf Decorative Paperweight with Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Beautiful hand cast gingko leaf in patinated brass paperweight. Each of these brass leaves are handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using ve...
Brass
Lion of Forge, Spain, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Lion of Forge, Spain, 16th century In forging, measurements: 10 x 17 x 5 cm Good condition Spanish private collection.
Iron
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
$352 / item
H 13.78 in Dm 5.91 in
Handmade Big Decorative Paperweight Cone in Satin White Carrara Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
A decorative big cone full in satin white Carrara marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisans special...
Marble
$352 / item
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Handmade Big Decorative Paperweight Cube in Satin White Carrara Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Big decorative paperweight cube full in satin white Carrara marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisa...
Marble
$352 / item
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Handmade Big Decorative Paperweight Cube in Black Marquina Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Big decorative paperweight cube full in black Marquina marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisans sp...
Marble
$176 / item
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Handmade Small Decorative Paperweight Cube in Black Marquina Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Small decorative paperweight cube full in black Marquina marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisans ...
Marble
$41 / item
H 0.2 in W 7.49 in D 2.56 in
Handcrafted Brass Leaf Decorative Paperweight with Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Handmade cast brass leaf with stunning details, a beautiful bronze patina finish and polished highlights. Ideal as an elegant paperweight or just a charming decorative object. Each ...
Brass
Sold
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Franklin Mint 1976 Baccarat France Julius Caesar Purple Sulphide Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1970s Franklin Mint 1976 Baccarat France Julius Caesar Purple Sulphide Glass Paperweight with Original Box. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 2.5" H x 4.25" W x 4.2...
Glass
Sold
H 1.75 in W 4.75 in D 3 in
19th C. Alabaster Paperweight After Maderno, "The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia"
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful and heartbreaking marquette-style sculpture after Stefano Maderno's 17th-century masterpiece, "The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia", which lies in the Church of Saint Cecilia ...
Alabaster
Mechelen bell. Bronze. 16th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Flemish bell, “from Mechelen”. Bronze. Century XVI. Hand bell with clapper made of bronze and decorated on the outside with a slight relief. The base presents, between bands, an inscription in capital letters and in Latin (“Sit nomen Domini benedictum”, “Blessed be the name of the Lord!”); above it, on the body of the bell, there is a decoration with angels, vases with plant elements, garlands, a cloth with the Holy Face...
Bronze, Other
Stone Pedestal or Base with Polychromy, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Base. Carved stone with traces of polychromy. Stone, metal. Century XVI. Base made of polygonal carved stone and decorated on the front with a succession of smooth moldings of diff...
Stone, Other
Rare Dutch Delft Bird Tile, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1620 - 1640 A Dutch Delft tile painted with a fine and large bird sitting on a grapevine. A nice large image, fine painted, and bright colors. With so-cal...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Rare Dutch Delft Tulip Tile, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1620 - 1640 A Dutch Delft tile painted with a fine and large orange tulip. A large orange tulip like this one does not come across every day! Fine painted a...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Sold
H 32.29 in W 8.67 in D 10.24 in
Bronze Model of Mercur R. Bellair & Co. After the Sculpture by Giambologna
Located in Kastrup, DK
Patinated bronze sculpture of Mercur on black marble plinth. Stamp from R. Bellair & Co., Berlin Foundry, c. 1900. This is a faithful model after the original by Giambologna (Gio...
Marble, Bronze
Bronze Mortar, 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant apothecary mortar from the 17th century in bronze with hasp decoration and 5 medallions with a head. The mortar is sold with his pestle (19cm) Good general condition and be...
Bronze
Inkwell by Odiot À Paris, France Probably End of 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Inkwell with a heavy glass body with a gadrooned wall and a round stand with rocaille and shell décors. The hinged lid is decorated with shell ornaments as well. Stamped on the botto...
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Jardiniere
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French bronze Jardinière represents the evolution of a vessel designed to protect surfaces and display fresh greenery and flowers...
Bronze
17th Century Pair of Gold Giltwood Rounded Tops
Located in Marbella, ES
Carved wood with marble painted base, this decorative pair of finials belonged to an altarpiece. Hand gold gilded.
Gold Leaf
Antique Equestrian Bronze Style Figure, French, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous model of a horse. Unsigned. Made from antimony with a rich bronze color patination. On a sensational later satinwood plinth. Antimony is a white pewter type soft...
Metal