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.
French Renaissance Bacchanal Scene Silver Plated Bacchus Figural Platter Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Renaissance Bacchanal Scene Silver Plated Bacchus Figural Platter Tray. Item features ornate cast frieze border of Bacchus, female mask heads, and classical mythologic...
Silver Plate
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
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
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
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
$1,495
H 16.93 in W 9.85 in D 7.88 in
Antique Victorian Walker & Hall Sheffield Silver Plated Tea Urn / Samovar
Located in Suffolk, GB
A handsome antique Victorian silver plated tea urn or samovar by the well known Sheffield makers Walker & Hall, dating to circa 1880. The urn is made in the classical form with twin ...
Silver Plate
$2,985Sale Price / item|20% 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
$8,850
H 18.5 in Dm 5.5 in
Antique 19th Century Glass and Sterling Silver Large Champagne Bottle, 1892
Located in London, GB
A wonderful Antique 19th Century Glass and Sterling Silver Novelty Champagne Bottle, 1892 Makers T Heath & J H Middleton. A monumental and rare Jeroboam size novelty blown glass and silver mounted Champagne decanter...
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Russian 84 Silver and Crystal Tea Glass Holder
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th century Russian 84 silver and crystal tea glass holder Makers Mark : Cyrillic EB Of classical form, with fine, elegant silverwork along the upper border, with a prominen...
Crystal, Silver
$795
H 3.75 in W 1.25 in D 0.5 in
Antique Imperial Russian Silver Gilt Cloisonne Enamel Caddy Spoon Moscow 1890
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Imperial Russian silver-gilt cloisonne tea caddy spoon Moscow, circa 1900. A finely decorated shovel shaped Russian caddy spoon, the rear of the spoon and handle having a gol...
Silver, Enamel
$3,279Sale Price / set|20% 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
$3,950
H 0.75 in W 22.5 in D 12.75 in
Emilia Castillo Silver Plate “Conchas & Caracoles” Serving Tray, Taxco Mexico
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking rectangular silver plated serving tray designed by Emilia Castillo, part of her celebrated “Conchas & Caracoles” (Shells & Snails) series. Crafted in Taxco, Mexico, this sculptural tray features a richly hammered silver surface framed by applied seashell and snail motifs in relief, embodying Castillo’s signature blend of organic forms and modernist design. The tray retains its hallmark, stamped: Emilia Castillo, Mexico, M.R., Plateado, TO-85, #10. Maker: Emilia Castillo, Taxco, Mexico Design: “Conchas & Caracoles” (Shells & Snails) Material: Silver plate Measurements: 22.5" wide × 12.75" deep × 0.75" high This impressive piece works equally well as a functional serving tray or as a decorative display object, perfect for collectors of Mexican silver, Los Castillo, and Emilia Castillo as well as interior designers seeking a bold, coastal-inspired statement accent. Style: Emilia Castillo, Mexican silver tray...
Silver Plate, Brass
$1,866Sale Price / item|20% 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 Cardeilhac 1, Christofle
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, Cardeilhac, Christofle
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