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.
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Renaissance style Entree Dish
Located in VALENZA, IT
Renaissance-style round sterling silver entree dish. The bottom of the entree dish is smooth, while a border made with the casting technique with acanthus leaf motifs has been welded...
Sterling Silver
Postmodern Renaissance style Murano Glass Cake Stand by La Murrina, Italy
By La Murrina
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This cake stand / pedestal bowl is made in Murano glass and features a fish-shaped stem. It is signed by La Murrina. This is a vintage piece, therefo...
Murano Glass
Luxurious gilt bronze and crystal centerpiece in renaissance style Italian
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Luxurious gilt bronze and crystal centerpiece in renaissance style italian by Domenico Rugiano
Crystal, Bronze
$3,732Sale Price|33% Off
20th Century Italian Oval Sterling Silver Renaissance Style Entree Dish
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver oval vegetable dish in Renaissance style. The bottom of the vegetable dish is smooth, while on the edge a border made with the casting technique with acanthus leaf mo...
Sterling Silver
19th century Renaissance st. Silvered Bronze, Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative French 19th century Renaissance st. Silvered Bronze, Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece. This stunning centerpiece is raised by a circular Silvered Bronze ...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Centerpiece Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu centerpiece urn. The urn is raised by on an oval base with a patinated Bronze merman swimming above ...
Bronze, Ormolu
A French 19th century Renaissance st. marble centerpiece possibly Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Renaissance st. Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and marble centerpiece possibly by Barbedienne. The centerpiece is raised on an oval marble mottled b...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Renaissance st. Marble and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Rosso Antico, Black Belgian marble and Ormolu centerpiece. This striking Vide Poche centerpiece is raised by three Orm...
Marble, Ormolu
Fruit basket, table decoration, centerpiece, wood alabaster, 1880s, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
A wonderful table decoration from Italy, made in the end of the 19th century, based on the old models. This base is made of cherry wood with a round white alabaster ring at the bas...
Alabaster
Hand Painted Blue Majolica Handles Bowl Centerpiece Ornament Renaissance Deruta
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This fine majolica centerpiece is made and hand-painted in Deruta, Italy. The Bowl recalls the ancient structure of the Greek cups that were used to mix wate...
Ceramic, Majolica
Murano Glass Centerpiece - Pedestal Bowl attr. to Alberto Doná, Italy
By Alberto Donà
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 2000s. This centerpiece / pedestal bowl is made in ribbed Murano glass and features 24 kt gold inclusions. It is labeled. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might...
Gold
19th C Terracotta Planter Centerpiece with Dancing Cherubs, Florence Circa 1820
Located in Encinitas, CA
Terracotta planter centerpiece with dancing cherubs, Florence Circa 1820. Centerpiece total measures: 27”L x 14.25”W x 18”H, including 2 pieces; the te...
Terracotta, Wood
Italian centerpiece with solid silver plate in Renaissance style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Centerpiece with plate made of 800 solid silver in Renaissance style. The centerpiece was made love with different processing methods. The predominant method is handcrafting, which...
Silver
Centerpiece Handcrafted in Pure Silver, Masterpiece Champagne Cooler, Italy
Located in Firenze, IT
This K-OVER champagne is a distinguished piece from our Work of Art Collection. The artist has intricately chiseled a scene on pure silver 999/°°°, depicting the dramatic start of t...
Silver
Large Ormolu-Mounted Cut Crystal Dish in Renaissance Taste
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century cut crystal and gilt bronze dish in Renaissance taste. The circular cup is decorated with cut-diamond patterns. It is set on a baluster-shaped stem that is embellished...
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Renaissance Style Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (19th Century) bronze footed centerpiece tazza with 2 handles and incised decoration.
Bronze
A French Ormolu, Bronze and frosted Crystal centerpiece signed Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu, patinated Bronze and frosted Crystal centerpiece, signed Barbedienne. This striking circular centerpiece is r...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Tazza by E. Picault
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and high-quality French mid 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and gilt tazza. Raised by a tripod base with richly chased 'S' scrolled supports topped by lion heads, ending with impressive paws. The lion supports surround the center decorated with foliate scrolls. Above is the circular dish signed by Émile Louis Picault and dated 1863. The inscription states that it was created for the Éxposition Des Beaux...
Bronze
Black Belgian marble centerpiece/planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale French 19th century Renaissance st. verdigris Bronze, Ormolu and Black Belgian marble centerpiece/planter. This stunning planter is raised on four claw ...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Two large Renaissance style bronzed metal centrepiece garniture
Located in London, GB
This centrepiece garniture was crafted in the 19th Century in Italy. The two bronzed metal items are identically designed, in an expressive and classically-inspired late Renaissance ...
Metal
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Alabastro Marble and Ormolu Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most decorative French 19th century Renaissance st. Alabastro marble and ormolu centerpiece/planter. The oblong centerpiece is raised...
Marble, Ormolu
$1,850
H 4 in W 6.5 in D 8 in
Wonderful French Doré Bronze Cherub Fluted Oval Crystal Gilt Ormolu Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French dore´ bronze bow and swag footed Cherub Plaques centerpiece with fluted oval crystal insert. In the manner of Baccarat. Measures: 8" W x 6.5" W x 4" H.
Crystal, Bronze
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
$18,500
H 12.5 in W 19 in D 10 in
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Centerpiece with Mermaid Figural Handles
Located in New York, NY
Fine Quality French Gilt Bronze centerpiece Jardiniere with Mermaid Figural Handles and Floral Garlands Date: circa 1890 Origin: Fre...
Bronze
$1,500Sale Price|57% Off
H 7.5 in Dm 10.75 in
Antique French F. Barbedienne Ormolu Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine antique French Empire cut crystal round shaped centerpiece bowl with a wavy edge. Mounted in a footed hand chiseled ormolu mount decora...
Crystal, Ormolu
Fine Sterling Silver Candy Dish in the Chippendale Style, Mid-20th Century
By Lunt Silver
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This charming sterling silver candy dish by Lunt Silversmiths is a shining example of the Georgian inspired elegance that was a hallmark of well appointed traditional homes in the Mi...
Sterling Silver
Ceramic Cake Stand Tellina Designed by Chiara Andreatti
Located in Milan, IT
Tellina is a riser or cake stand in ceramic designed by Chiara Andreatti for Paola C., and it is part of the collection Coquille, a family composed of cake stands, centerpieces, frui...
Ceramic
$4,895Sale Price|48% Off
H 17 in W 22.5 in D 7.5 in
Manner of Christofle 19th-20th Century Silver-Plated & Crystal Fruit Centerpiece
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare 19th-20th century neoclassical Revival style silver plated metal and cut-glass centerpiece in the manner of Christofle. The boat-shaped ornately body with finely chas...
Metal
$998
H 7.25 in W 8 in D 4.75 in
Irish Sterling Limerick Silver Teapot Coffeepot Dublin Mark Ireland 1955 20.4ozs
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of a Mid Century heavy gauge Irish Sterling Silver Georgian style Teapot, Coffee Pot or possibly a Water jug of outstanding quality and exceptional condition for suc...
Sterling Silver
$1,250
H 9 in W 9 in D 5.5 in
Wonderful French Scalloped Crystal Centerpiece Gilt Bronze Footed Bow Basket
Located in Roslyn, NY
This beautiful diamond shaped crystal insert has a fluted bottom and cut crystal border which is scalloped. The doré bronze basket is decorated wit...
Crystal, Bronze
$2,800
H 8.63 in W 13.25 in D 9 in
19th Century French Empire Revival Bronze and Cut Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
19th century gilt bronze centerpiece in the French Empire style with oval cut glass bowl supported by two stylized dolphins on oval base raised on lion paw feet. 13 1/4 inches wide,...
Bronze
$2,450
H 17 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Tiffany Sterling Dish Porringer, 20th Century
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Tiffany & Co sterling silver dish or porringer, 20th century. The plain circular shaped dish or porringer with very slightly everted rim and plain quadrilateral shaped plain hand...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 18.51 in
Buccellati Centerpiece Fruits Wreath model Solid Silver Lisi Stamp Produce 1978
Located in Paris, FR
This large vintage sterling silver centerpiece is very decorative and allows you to adorn your table wonderfully. It is composed of a central wicked-style basket surrounded by chisel...
Silver
Pair Renaissance Style Gilt Silvered Bronze Surtout de Table Wine Coasters
Located in New York, NY
Very fine pair of antique Renaissance Style surtout de table Magnum sized wine coasters in gilt and silvered bronze with mirrored plateaus. Each with a finely wrought filigree border...
Bronze
Sold
H 15.25 in W 5.5 in D 5.25 in
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Marble and Baccarat Crystal Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Royale marble and Baccarat crystal centerpiece vase. The vase is raised by a rectangular Rouge Royale base with convex sides,...
Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Sold
H 5.52 in W 11.82 in D 9.06 in
17th Century Italian Walnut Warmer Brazier Renaissance Style Walnut Box
Located in Milano, MI
Early 17th century hand carved walnut foot warmer of Northern Italian origin, it looks like an antique box but features a metal container inside, and it was commonly used in Italian ...
Metal, Iron
Buccellati Fruits Wreath Centerpiece , Silver Sterling, Mid 20th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large sterling silver centerpiece created and signed by famous Italian silversmith Gianmaria Buccellati. The centerpiece is circular...
Silver
Sold
H 16.54 in W 6.3 in D 12.8 in
Antique 19th Century Rare German Solid Silver Pair of Monumental Figural Ewers
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century rare and magnificent pair of German solid silver caquesseitao aquamaniles / monumental ewers, both heavily cast in the style of Renaissance mythological birds wi...
Silver
19th Century Ormolu, Agate and Jewelled Centrepiece Tazza
Located in London, GB
This fine antique centrepiece tazza is beautifully modeled in ormolu and agate. It features an ormolu boy standing on a Hippocampus; all set on nat...
Agate, Ormolu
Capodimonte "The Garden of Roses" FREE SHIPPING
By Capodimonte
Located in Sofia, BG
"Giardinetto con roselline" "The Garden of Roses" made from the Masters of the Art of Capodimonte. Fully hand-decorated according to the techniques of Capodimo...
Porcelain
Beautiful Tuscan Terra Cotta Fruit Bowl
Located in Sofia, BG
Beautiful Tuscany Italian centerpiece fruit bowl from terra cotta with unique details of mandarins and lemons looks like real! Made in Italy! Free complimentary shipping all around...
Terracotta
Sold
H 16.54 in W 6.3 in D 12.8 in
Antique 19th Century Rare German Solid Silver Pair of Monumental Figural Ewers
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century rare and magnificent pair of German solid silver caquesseitao aquamaniles / monumental ewers, both heavily cast in the style of Renaissance mythological birds wi...
Silver
Sold
H 9 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
Italian Sterling Silver-Mounted Creel and Gow Mother-of-pearl Nautilus Shell
Located in New York, NY
Italian 925 sterling silver-mounted creel and gow mother-of-pearl Nautilus shell inspired by the Renaissance Italian goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini. Measur...
Sterling Silver
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Ormolu and Marble Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely high quality French 19th century Renaissance style ormolu and marble centerpiece. The centerpiece is raised on square base with concave corners and square feet, each dis...