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.
$6,700 / set
Pair of 18th c. Italian Pharmacy Jars
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare pair of tin-glazed (lead glaze with a bit of tin oxide added) earthenware pharmacy jars from Italy hand-painted. Beautiful color and elegant shape. Circa 1720.
Terracotta
Pair of Renaissance Style Vermeil Perfume Bottles
Located in London, GB
Pair of Renaissance style vermeil perfume bottles Continental, 19th century Measures: Height 20cm, diameter 6.5cm This beautiful pair of perfume bottles...
Silver
$2,500 / set
H 12 in Dm 5.5 in
18th Century Italian Blue & White Faience Albarelli Apothecary Jar Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable pair of two antique European tin-glazed earthenware apothecary jars. circa 1770 Originally used as medicinal pottery jars that held ointments and dry drugs at apothecar...
Earthenware, Faience, Majolica, Pottery
Antique Brilliant Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Sterling Silver Top Cap
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Nicely cut glass perfume bottle with Sterling silver top. Marked sterling and hallmarked. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear.
Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century Italian Ceramic Apothecary Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Tall antique 18th century Italian ceramic apothecary jar. Colors of blue, yellow and green on off white background.
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,178
H 1.97 in W 1.58 in D 0.52 in
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes Empire style Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$495
H 5 in W 3.75 in D 2.5 in
Antique Brilliant Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Sterling Silver Top Cap
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous heavy brilliant cut glass perfume bottle with sterling silver top. Has a glass stopper as well. In excellent antique condition with ...
Sterling Silver
19C Anglo Indian Silver Perfume Bottle Case
Located in Dallas, TX
19C Anglo Indian solid silver perfume bottle case. Lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian solid silver perfume bottle case with profuse repousse work. Not hallmarked because it was m...
Sterling Silver
$481
H 4 in W 2.63 in D 1.7 in
Crystal Glass Cologne or Perfume Bottle Sterling Silver Top Art Deco London 1919
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality crystal cut glass cologne or perfume bottle with a sterling silver screw top lid with engine turned detail, made in London and dating to the early Art Deco period, 1919. The clear glass bottle or jar has a rectilinear shape, having an oval section, with finely hand cut vertical sides and small panels cut on the shoulder. The sterling silver circular top is threaded for turning onto the neck section. It is finely engine turned to the top which is very decorative. It is marked on the side of the neck with sterling silver hall marks for London 1919...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Perfume Bottle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sterling silver perfume bottle with a modernism design. It has swirls around the front and back with a scalloped edge. On top a lapis stone cr...
Sterling Silver
A set of 2 herbalist pharmacy wooden jars, Italy circa 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two small wooden herbalist-apothecary jars (Natriam, Arnica), in the purest neoclassical style. The surface is finished with black and gold colored pads a cream background in...
Coral
$950
H 8.25 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
18th Century Italian Maiolica Blue and White Alborello Pharmacy Jar #1
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Italian Majolica Albarello Pharmacy Jar. Jar is in a cylindrical shape with flared rim and foot. Jar features blue and white pattern with the word "Charitas" in an oval ...
Maiolica
Beautiful Antique Gorham Classical Red Silver Overlay Perfume
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful turn-of-the-century red glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular bottle with short neck and ball ...
Silver
Art Nouveau Perfume Flacon
Located in New Orleans, LA
The elegance of rare silver overlay distinguishes this Art Nouveau glass flask. The flowing, graceful motif allows sections of the clear glass, and the co...
Sterling Silver
17th Century Dutch Onion Bottle Glass Wine Bottle
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful onion bottle made in the Netherlands in the 17th - 18th centuries. The bottle is in good condition, 1 chip at the bottle opening but it may be t...
Glass
17th Century Niello Flask
Located in London, by appointment only
Spain, early 17th century. A rare early 17th century Niello flask covered with black pitch and mounted with silver gilt mounts and set with niello ovals and squares. Measures: H...
Silver