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.
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
Pair Of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu And Crystal Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Crystal vases. The pair of vases are raised on triangular Ormolu bases with central rosettes. The base above is deco...
Crystal, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronze Urns, Signed Leon Boucher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble urns, signed Leon Boucher. Each urn is raised by ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Nine-Arm Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb quality and impressive large scale pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte and ormolu nine arm candelabras, signed F. Barbedienne. Each is raised by a square Rouge Griotte marble base with an ormolu ‘C’ scrolled support in a lion paw design amidst scrolled acanthus leaves. Above is an ormolu laurel band below the fluted marble pedestal...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair Of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu And Marble Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and Brèche Violette marble urns. Each urn is raised by a circular base with a fine mottled border and b...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze Lidded Urns
By AUGUST MAXIMILIEN DELAFONTAINE
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze lidded urns, attributed to Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine. Each urn is raised by a square ba...
Bronze
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
True Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronze & Ormolu Ewers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and patinated bronze ewers. Each ewer is raised by a superb circular reeded base with a fine spiral fluted socle sh...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronze, Ormolu, and Marble Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze, ormolu Rouge Griotte, and Black Belgian marble tazzas. Each tazza is raised by a circular black Belgian marble ba...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu and Sarrancolin Marble Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and Sarrancolin marble urns. Each urn is raised by handsome paw feet below elegant lightly curved su...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte marble, patinated bronze, and ormolu garniture clock set. The clock at the center is raised by hand...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Renaissance Style Bronze and Marble Ewers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative and highly detailed pair of French mid 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble ewers. The pair are raised by octagon shaped Rouge Gri...
Marble, Bronze
A fine pair of 19th century Italian painted black and gilt carved torchieres
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and fine pair of Italian Renaissance carved and black painted torchieres with parcel gilt.
Ebony
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
French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Silvered Bronze tray/centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Silvered Bronze tray/centerpiece. This wonderful rectangular shaped "vide poche" tray is raised by four ...
Silver Plate, Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Bronze and Ormolu candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabras. Each striking four arm candelabra is raised on an X-shaped Ormolu ba...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu and Etched Glass Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and etched glass vases. Each vase is raised by a circular base with lovely scrolled foliate designs on a hammered backgr...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu and Marble Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble candelabras. Each most elegant two arm candelabra is raised by a circular Roug...
Marble, Ormolu