Renaissance Jars
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.
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Maiolica
18th Century European Antique Renaissance Jars
Ceramic, Majolica
17th Century German Antique Renaissance Jars
Stoneware
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Pottery
1920s Italian Vintage Renaissance Jars
Terracotta
Early 19th Century English Antique Renaissance Jars
Agate, Sterling Silver
1940s Italian Vintage Renaissance Jars
Terracotta
20th Century American Renaissance Jars
Art Glass
Early 20th Century English Renaissance Jars
Crystal, Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Terracotta
20th Century Russian Renaissance Jars
Agate, Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Ceramic, Majolica, Paint
19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Jars
Stoneware
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Jars
Earthenware
18th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Jars
Delft
18th Century French Antique Renaissance Jars
Glass
1890s English Antique Renaissance Jars
Rosewood
18th Century South Korean Antique Renaissance Jars
Pottery
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Terracotta
1640s Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Bronze
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Earthenware
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Pottery
1620s Italian Antique Renaissance Jars
Majolica
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Jars
Metal
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Jars
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Renaissance Jars
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Renaissance Jars
Ceramic