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.
$12,160Sale Price|20% Off
Champagne Bottle Cover, Renaissance, High End Gift, Pure Silver, Hand Made
Located in Firenze, IT
Introducing Renaissance, a unique champagne cover from our K-OVER Works of Art Collection. This exquisite piece draws inspiration from the ornate Florentine style of the Medici fami...
Silver
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
$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
$1,873 / item
H 15.75 in W 11.03 in D 6.3 in
Blue Vase Vessel Hand Painted Two-handled Amphora Renaissance Italian Ceramic
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Majolica amphora made and painted by hand, following the original Renaissance painting technique. This sumptuous vase is characterized by the elegant presence of naturalistic ornamen...
Ceramic, Majolica
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
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
Antique 18th Century Albarello Italian Drug Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th century Italian, blue and white Albarello, Baluster form jar with crown over double eagle design.
Pottery
Antique Sterling Silver Scent or Perfume Bottle with Chased Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique perfume bottle is signed by an unknown English maker and dates to approximately 1898 and done in the period Victorian style. The bottle is done in sterling silver with a...
Sterling Silver
$377Sale Price|41% Off
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
$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
$950
H 8.25 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
18th Century Italian Maiolica Blue and White Alborello Pharmacy Jar #2
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
18th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT RIIABAR'
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 18th Century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmacy jar with lid - 'EXT RIIABAR' By: Charles-Antoine Acloque Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Technique: molded,...
Enamel
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
Mid Century Liquor Champagne Store Display Bottles C1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular in size, 3 bottles are 27 x 7.5, smaller bottle is 20 x 4.5. Taittinger, Perrier Jouet, Moet & Chandon and Piper Heidsieck. All in good con...
Blown Glass
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