Renaissance Decorative Objects
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.
16th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Metal, Iron
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ceramic
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Agate, Sterling Silver
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
17th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
16th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze, Wrought Iron
17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Majolica
Early 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Porcelain
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Walnut
1790s Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Decorative Objects
Metal
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Soapstone
1990s Italian Renaissance Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Boxwood
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century British Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Paint
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Earthenware
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Fruitwood
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Limestone
Late 20th Century American Renaissance Decorative Objects
Poplar
1930s Italian Vintage Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Hardwood
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Renaissance Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Hardwood
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 17th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Giltwood
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze
17th Century European Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Oak
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Decorative Objects
Bronze