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.
Michelangelo prèt-a-porter by Andrea Salvatori, Ceramic Sculpture Contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " -Testone - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A Ring Thing collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomic...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Michelangelo Prèt-a-porter Ceramic Sculptural Ring Contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " -peneculo - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A RING THING collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomi...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$2,400 / item
Italian Renaissance Ostrich Egg Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
2 Italian Renaissance style objet d'art ostrich eggs mounted on bronze triple griffin bases (19/20th Cent) (PRICED EACH)
Bronze
Antique French Renaissance "Le Force & Le Pouvoir" Spelter Metal Sculpture Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Renaissance "Le Force & Le Pouvoir" Spelter Metal Sculptures Raised on Wooden Bases - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 27" H x 9" W x 5.25" D.
Metal
Bronze King Umberto Visiting Cholera Hospital Naples 1884 Dish Wall Plaque
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Bronze King Umberto Visiting Cholera Hospital Naples 1884 Dish Wall Plaque. Item features fine cast bronze relief, remarkable details, banner reads, "Visita Di S.M. Umberto I...
Bronze
Michelangelo Prèt-a-Porter Ceramic Sculptural Ring Contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A RING THING collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomical detail...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Michelangelo prèt-a-porter Andrea Salvatori Ceramic Sculptural Ring contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A Ring Thing collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomical detail...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Vintage Ostrich Egg and Metal Rhinoceros
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing Rhinoceros object of art crafted with an ostrich egg and silvered, hammered metal head, legs and tail.
Metal, Silver
White Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture by Steen Ipsen
By Steen Ipsen
Located in New York, NY
Organic 9, 2013 (Ceramic; Unique, C. 11 in. h x 10.5 in. w x 8 in. d, Object No.: 3645) Steen Ipsen was born in 1966 in Denmark and lives and works in Copenhagen. He graduated in 19...
Ceramic, Pottery
Art Deco Male Sculpture, Spelter, Marble, France circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant Art Deco sculpture of an athletic scouting / watching male figure by Jean de Roncourt from France around 1930. Very good original condition, greenish patinated Spelter / Zinc...
Marble, Bronze
Sculptural Ceramic Vase
Located in Antwerp, BE
A monumental shaped ceramic vase in various beautiful colors and patterns. Measures: Height 43 cm.
Ceramic
Malachite Egg Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful green Malachite egg sculpture decorative object on gold gilt brass fluted base, circa mid-20th century. Malachite egg object has beautiful design/coloring, piece is a han...
Malachite, Brass
Carousel Ostrich Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved wood sculpture of carousel ostrich.
Wood
$3,000
H 8.86 in W 11.42 in D 4.73 in
Patinated Spelter Bull Sculpture by Charles Valton, French, 1892-1914
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Patinated Spelter Bull Sculpture by Charles Valton (1851–1918). This striking French patinated spelter bull sculpture by Charles Valton is a fine example of late 19th-century...
Spelter
Brutalist Fiberglass Relief Wall Plaque, 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Brutalist relief plaque made of fiberglass in the 1960s, featuring an abstract surface of geometric shapes and incised textures. The patinated finish in bronze-effect tones evokes th...
Fiberglass
$1,803
H 13.39 in W 3.94 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Spelter Sculpture Love Message by Pierre Le Faguays and Max Le Verrier
By Max Le Verrier, Pierre Le Faguays
Located in Ulm, DE
Love letters are out ? Send a love message via a carrier pigeon. Sculpture named MESSAGE Designed in France during the roaring 1920s by “Fayral”, which is one of the pseudonyme...
Marble, Spelter
$1,798
H 10.63 in W 7.88 in D 2.56 in
Spartiate by Max Le Verrier Spartan Archer Warrior Sculpture in Spelter
Located in Ulm, DE
“Spartiate” Original “Max Le Verrier”, signed Designed in France during the roaring 1920s by “Max Le Verrier” (1891-1973) Art Deco style, France Sculpture made in “Régule” (spel...
Marble, Spelter
$2,386
H 6.3 in W 16.54 in D 3.94 in
Ouganda Art Deco Style Panther Sculpture Original Max Le Verrier in Spelter
Located in Ulm, DE
Lion or panther sculpture named “Ouganda” Original “Max Le Verrier”, signed Art Deco style, France Materials: patinated spelter (French: régule), marble base Socle could have a dif...
Marble, Spelter
$1,798
H 10.63 in W 8.67 in D 2.37 in
Art Deco sculpture Spartiate by Max Le Verrier, Spelter and Stone, France 1920s
Located in Ulm, DE
Art Deco sculpture, French figurative sculpture, 1920s decorative art – this original piece by Max Le Verrier captures the masculine ideal in motion. Titled Spartiate, the dynamic ar...
Sandstone, Spelter
Italian Renaissance Style Carved Marble Lion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An Italian renaissance style carved marble lion, possibly from as early as the late 17th / early 18th century. This antique lion sculpture has a...
Marble
Sold
H 58 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
19th Century Italian Rosso Verona Marble Sculpture - Antique Head of Zeus
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian Rosso Verona marble sculpture or mask of Zeus with detailed carvings. The solid marble head has a fabulous patina. It is mounted on a square marble plinth, in good...
Marble