Renaissance Pitchers
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 Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Brass
Early 20th Century Renaissance Pitchers
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Renaissance Pitchers
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Pitchers
Majolica
Early 1900s Italian Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Majolica
Early 19th Century German Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Pottery
1840s British Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Pottery
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Pitchers
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Renaissance Pitchers
Ceramic, Clay
1860s English Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Majolica
Early 1900s American Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver
1880s Portuguese Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Majolica
Mid-20th Century Renaissance Pitchers
Copper
Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Ceramic
1890s Belgian Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Majolica
Late 19th Century American Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Ceramic
1940s American Vintage Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver
1890s Austrian Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Enamel
Late 19th Century German Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Pitchers
Faience
1940s Vintage Renaissance Pitchers
Sterling Silver