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.
Porcelain Samovar, Tea or Coffee Urn Handmade in Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Porcelain lidded samovar, tea or coffee urn, handmade in Italy. Great decorative piece with handles and brass metal sprout. Great to use for serving hot tea or any beverage. Beautiful colorful hot water urn samovar in the Russian style. Gilt fine porcelain tea pot hand...
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Austrian Silver, Enamel & Rock Crystal Jug, Vienna c.1890
By Rudolf Linke
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Austrian rare and unusual solid silver-gilt & enamel rock crystal jug. The rock crystal engraved with intricate scrollwork, silver gilt mounts decorated with cha...
Rock Crystal, Silver, Enamel
19th Century English Silver Plate Samovar / Tea Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English silver plated samovar / tea or coffee urn with Ram detail side handles and finial lid on square footed base . The samova...
Silver Plate, Copper
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
$3,164Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 8.67 in
Alice in Wonderland Teapot, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Handcrafted Design 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with ...
Ceramic
$1,959Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
Cinderella Tea Service, Pink & Gold, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Gold Design, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Cinderella. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and care. A set is composed by a teap...
Ceramic
$1,908Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
Cinderella Tea Service, Lilac & Gold, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Gold Design 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Cinderella. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and care. A set is composed by a teap...
Ceramic
Undressed Woman Tea Set
Located in Greenwich, CT
The undressed tea set was designed and handcrafted in the Netherlands by Esther Hörchner. Each cup features a line illustration of a nude woman in different positions as if bathing i...
Porcelain
$646 / set
H 7.09 in W 13 in D 10.63 in
Antique Pair Silver Plated Entree Dishes Walker and Hall 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite and rare antique pair of English silver plated on copper entree dishes stamped Walker & Hall Sheffield Plate Old Style, and dated Circa 1860. The dishes are of rectangular shaped form with gaddrooned and acanthus leaf borders with detachable handles. In excellent condition, these wonderful entree dishes are ready to grace your dining table. A truly exquisite pair that would make a fine addition to any antique collection. Condition: In excellent condition with clear makers marks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 18 cm x Width 33 cm x Depth 27 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 11 inches Walker & Hall the business was established in Sheffield in 1845 by George Walker who become an assistant of Dr John Wright. Dr John Wright had conducted important experiments on electroplating, Walker secured the royalty of electroplating for Sheffield. The business was joined by Henry Hall and became in 1853 Walker & Hall. The factory was at Howard Street, Sheffield, while showrooms were opened in 45 Holborn Viaduct, London. Branches were opened in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Hull, Bristol, Melbourne and Adelaide (Australia), Cape Town (South Africa). Walker & Hall was converted into a limited liability company in 1920 under the style Walker & Hall Ltd and combined in 1963 under the British Silverware...
Silver Plate
Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set, Rosslau China Blau
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain set, Rosslau China Blau. Breakfast set from the Hermann Schomburg & Söhne Porzellan Rosslau manufacture, China Blau collection. Very good condi...
Porcelain
$3,516Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 8.67 in
Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Teapot, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Handcrafted 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and care. Sometimes we all just need to have a little stress relief. We want to escape the ordinary days, made of work and pain. Give yourself a little gift with those fabolous creations full of poetry and fairytales. Our artist models every single detail with patience and love, to bring us back in a world made of dreams and feelings. The collection recalls Alice in wonderland and Cinderella, taking us to a trip in our childhood, a world that lives silently inside, giving us the strength to always believe...
Ceramic
$3,476Sale Price / set|15% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
Cinderella Tea Service Teapot and Six Cups, Pink & Gold, Handmade in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Cinderella. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and ...
Ceramic
Antique George III Quality Ornate Copper Samovar/Tea Urn
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality ornate copper samovar/tea urn having a quality copper ornate samovar with a lift off lid, outstanding quality turned carrying handles, original tap standin...
Copper
$1,979Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
Cinderella Tea Service, White & Gold, Handmade in Italy, Luxury Gold Design 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Our artisan's pieces are a dream come true, as in Disney's Cinderella. Ceramic tea service are completely hand-crafted and painted with love and care. A set is composed by a teap...
Ceramic
Christofle Cutlery Flatware Malmaison Solid Sterling Silver 233 Pieces
By Christofle, Christofle Cardeilhac 1
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Exceptional "Malmaison" cutlery set made in solid sterling silver First Title 950/1000th by Christofle. Usually, this set is offered in plated silver but the one I am offering is in ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 14.97 in W 7.09 in D 5.91 in
20th Century German Pair Of Large Solid Silver & Cut Glass Wine Jugs c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century pair of German solid silver-mounted wine claret jugs of exceptionally large size. Each cut glass body is elegantly etched with swag and crosshatch designs,...
Silver
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Christofle & Cardeilhac Cutlery Flatware Renaissance Sterling Silver 143 Pieces
By Christofle Cardeilhac 1, Christofle, Cardeilhac
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Exceptional "Renaissance" cutlery set made in solid sterling silver First Title 950/1000th by Christofle & Cardeilhac. Cutlery for 12 people including 143 pieces: - 12 table forks -...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 23 in W 21.75 in D 9.5 in
Antique Renaissance French, Rouen Faience Beverage Dispenser, Signed Borne 1738
Located in Big Flats, NY
An important Rouen, France Faience cistern and basin decorated by Jean Claude Borne offers faience soft paste porcelain pottery construction with vessel in urn form and having polych...
Pottery, Ceramic, Earthenware, Porcelain
Sold
H 4.73 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in
Gaetano D’Agostino Argentieri Complete 12 Person Flatware, Italy 1928
Located in Sofia, BG
Gaetano D’Agostino Argentieri dal 1928 for 12 person set 48 items.
Silver Plate