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.
Italian Statuary Marble Bust of Dante
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A well-modelled, mid 19th century statuary white marble bust of Dante Alighieri, famed late 13th to early 14th century Italian philosopher, writer and poet. Originating from Italy, ...
Marble, Statuary Marble
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
Madonna Enthroned with the Child Christ, 17th Century, Gold Gilded on Wood Panel
Located in North Miami, FL
17th Century Italian polychromed and gold gilded on wood panel Sienese style painting of the Madonna Enthroned with the child and two adoring angels behind them. The halos are beautifully adorned with punch work. She is framed by a hand-carved gold gilded and velvet lined frame and sitting on a hand-carved matching base. The piece is mounted on a Lucite panel and framed with a contemporary hand-finished wood molding.
Gold Leaf
Pair Of Saint Mark In Walnut - 16th Century - Venice
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely pair of Saint Mark in walnut from the 16th century - Venice Very beautiful pair finely carved representing Saint Mark with a book in his hand a lion at his side This is a pen...
Walnut
Antique-Style Bronze – Young Child with a She-Wolf on a Pedestal – 16th Century
Located in NANTES, FR
**Antique-Style Bronze – Young Child with a She-Wolf on a Pedestal – 16th Century – M1423** This **16th-century bronze** is finely crafted. It depicts a **young child accompanied, p...
Bronze
Large Madonna and Child Statue , France 16th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Large Virgin and Child Statue in Majesty, seated, holding Christ in her left hand. Sixteenth century Mosan(?) work. Oak wood, hollowed out at the back. No traces of original gilt no...
Oak
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Sculpture of John The Baptist, 16th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 16th Century Spanish gold gilded and polychromed carved wood sculpture of John The Baptist.
Gold Leaf
Three German Antique Iron Plaques Cast in the Renaissance Style
Located in London, GB
This charming set of three antique German plaques are each cast from high quality 19th century iron, meaning that the detailing on them is of a very hig...
Iron
Mi-relief en bois doré et polychromé, représentant saint-Roch. Espagne , 16e S.
Located in PARIS, FR
An important bas-relief in carved wood with traces of gilding, in an architectural frame with two cherubs in the spandrels, representing Saint Roch. He is considered to be the patro...
Giltwood
$4,208Sale Price|20% Off
16th Century Walnut Sculptures from Germany
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very elegant sculpture reprenting a Putti (angel) from the German renaissance period -16 century Rare sculpture in walnut of great quality with a very beau...
Walnut
$38,000Sale Price|20% Off
16th Century Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Gold Gilded and Polychromed
Located in North Miami, FL
16th Century Spanish gold gilded and polychromed Carved-wood sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary in her...
Gold Leaf
16th Century Hand-Carved Wooden Virgin and Child Sculpture, Germany
Located in PARIS, FR
Large wooden Madonna and Child, painted and carved in hollow at the back. The theme of the Virgin and Child is the most represented in all Christian art, whereas the infancy of Jesus...
Wood, Pine
Figurative sculptures renaissances couple in alabaster
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent figurative sculpture in alabaster depicting a renaissance couple in the process of dancing
Alabaster
Michelangelo David Ceramic Sculpture by Andrea Salvatori, Italy, Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Andrea Salvatori, "Davidiera", 2015 glazed earthenware, measures: H 68 x 25 x 18 cm Michelangelo's David becomes a teapot in this witty reinterpret...
Ceramic
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
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