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.
Large Antique Italian Majolica Platter, Bacchus and Ariadne
Located in Dallas, TX
At over two feet in diameter, this stunning majolica platter or charger, is particularly large. The painted scene painted was taken from a ceiling fresco known as the Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne...
Majolica
Pair Antique 18thC Italian Majolica Pottery Portrait Vases Apothecary Jars 1700
Located in Portland, OR
A good pair of antique early 18th century Italian majolica portrait apothecary Jars, Venice, circa 1700. The jars of baluster form with a cobalt blue glaze, hand-painted with foliate...
Majolica
19th Century French Gien Faience Platter
By Gien
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Gien faience decorative charger or shallow bowl, hand-painted in orange, green and light blue on cobalt blue ground with Renaissance style imagery including a c...
Faience
19th Century French Gien Faience Platter
By Gien
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Gien faience decorative charger or shallow bowl, hand-painted in red, orange, yellow, blue, and green on white ground with Renaissance style imagery with a cent...
Faience
19th Century French Gien Faience Charger with Hand-Painted Design
By Gien
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Gien faience decorative miniature moon flask, hand-painted in blue and orange on white ground. Armorial or Renaissance style design with a central medallion wit...
Faience
Faience jewelry box
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Faience or majolica (jewelry?) box on claw legs. Decorated and sculptured with lions and griffin in typical faience colors. On the lid is a naked lady.
Faience
$6,232 / set
Two Framed Antique Faience Chargers by Montereau
Located in London, GB
This fine pair of faience chargers were crafted by the pottery manufactory in Montereau, France. The manufactory was established in the 18th century and flourished in the 19th century with the creation of Creil-Montereau faience, a kind of lead-based earthenware set on a white body which originated in the area which these chargers are crafted from. The pair of chargers...
Faience, Wood
Strasbourg Faience Floral Plate
By Paul Hannong
Located in New York, NY
Strasbourg faience floral plate. Antique faience plate with large floral bouquets and lobed rims with further floral sprays and insects; with blue u...
Faience
Italian Baroque Castelli Albarello, Hand-Crafted Ceramic, Circa 1700
Located in Stamford, CT
An Italian Baroque Castelli albarllo, also known as a pharmacy or drug jar. It held 'Benedict Laxat' listed as far back as Aristotle as a medication used in by midwives. Beautifully decorated with buildings in landscapes in the free, almost impressionistic style typical of Castelli Maiolica...
Ceramic
French Faience Cache Pot, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A white glazed French Faience “Cache Pot” with handles, circa 1870.
Faience
Large Majolica Oyster Platter Vallauris circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Oyster Platter Vallauris circa 1950.
Ceramic
$775
H 5 in W 11.25 in D 7.75 in
19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Jardiniere Signed Henriot Quimper
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a buffet or table with this colorful antique faience jardiniere. Crafted in Brittany, France, circa 1880, the oval planter features crown shaped scalloped edges and is dress...
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century French Faience Floral Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique late 18th-century to early 19th-century French faience plate with beautiful hand painted flowers and a scalloped rim. It would look fabulous displayed on a wall or s...
Faience
Majolica Plate by Sarreguemines, Faience 19th Century, France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Plate is a Majolica plate made in the Sarreguemines Manufacture. This glazed Faience, is in yellow and green color. It has been done in the 19th century.
Faience
Italian 18th Century Pharmacy Jar
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The practice of healthcare and medicine may have changed since the 18th century, this Italian pharmacy jar from c. 1780 has enduring function and appeal....
Ceramic
$1,250
H 11.75 in W 6.5 in D 3.38 in
Antique Ginori Istoriato Style Italian Maiolica Pottery Pilgrim Flask & Stopper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Maiolica pilgrim flask & stopper by Ginori. Decorated in the Urbino istoriato style with polychrome cherubs to the front and a lan...
Faience, Majolica
19th Century French Faience Plate
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A faience plate with floral decoration. A pretty piece for your collection.
Faience
Large Majolica Leaf Platter Vallauris circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Leaf Platter Vallauris Circa 1950.
Ceramic
$1,315
H 16.93 in W 14.57 in D 1.58 in
Blue and White Sample Pattern Platter Plate 19th C Derby England
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Hastings, GB
A very rare and unusual factory blue and white transfer pattern sample plate, for the Derby Pottery, (later the Royal Crown Derby pottery), transfer pattern dating to late 19th centu...
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 15.75 in W 10.63 in D 2.76 in
Deep dish in Manerbe Pre- d'Auge Faience, 16th-17th c. Normandy France
Located in PARIS, FR
“Manerbe Pré-d'auge earthenware hollow dish, 16th-17th century”. Hollow dish with a scalloped shape representing a nude woman in the center (we think of Diana since she wears a sort ...
Faience
Pair of Italian Maiolica Chargers Depicting Roman Warriors in Combat
Located in San Francisco, CA
A near pair of Italian maiolica plates depicting battle scenes of Roman soldiers one with garrisons on horseback the other possibly an allegorical tale of the assassination of a Roma...
Earthenware
Set of 9 Polychrome Dutch Delft Tiles with Flower Vases
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
A set of 9 polychrome Dutch Delft tiles with flower vases. Made in The Netherlands. Circa 1600 - 1620. A wonderful set of 9 tiles with flower vases painted in a quadrant or diamond. Early polychrome Dutch tiles...
Ceramic
Rare Dutch Delft Bird Tile, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1620 - 1640 A Dutch Delft tile painted with a fine and large bird sitting on a grapevine. A nice large image, fine painted, and bright colors. With so-cal...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Rare Dutch Delft Tulip Tile, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1620 - 1640 A Dutch Delft tile painted with a fine and large orange tulip. A large orange tulip like this one does not come across every day! Fine painted a...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Sold
H 21 in W 12 in D 11 in
Large Fantechi Renaissance Style Italian Maiolica or Faience Bust of a Lady
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Italian maiolica or faience pottery bust of a lady. By Fantechi Ceramiche in the Renaissance style. Depicting a noblewoman (possibly a queen) with a downcast gaze, wear...
Faience, Maiolica
Italian Majolica Albarello
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with waisted body with central portrait of a man with a hat.
Pottery
Roman Majolica Pot
Located in Essex, MA
Globular shape decorated with yellows and blues with central cherub and a variety of other decoration. Signed on side of body. SPQR.
Majolica
Italian Majolica Vase by Cantagalli
Located in Essex, MA
Baluster form with scrolling handles in the Renaissance style. Cantagalli rooster signature on base.
Pottery
Renaissance Maiolica Portrait Charger Made in Deruta, Italy, circa 1530
Located in Katonah, NY
Why we love it: It's rare, beautiful, and typifies Renaissance, Italy. We are thrilled to offer this Renaissance portrait charger. "Ladreana" is a young woman, hand painted in profil...
Faience
Antique Richard Ginori Big Porcelain Plate, 19th Century
Located in Sofia, BG
Beautiful old Ginori plate from the last quarter of the 19th century piece is in excellent condition with no cracks or repairs Measures approx. 10 1/8" wide, circa 1870 Richard Ginori plate...
Porcelain
Tall Painted Italian Majolica Vase, circa 1860
Located in Dallas, TX
From Italy, this imposing antique hand-painted Majolica vase with handles is nearly 39 inches high. It is mainly a figural vase in style, ha...
Majolica