Renaissance Vases and Vessels
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.
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Majolica
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Agate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Majolica
Mid-19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
1930s Italian Vintage Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Faience
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary French Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Stone, Agate, Silver
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Majolica