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.
Richelieu by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set of 12 Service 102 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Designed in the French Renaissance style this ornate pattern has nature inspired motifs including the popular acanthus leaf. Stunning Richelieu by International...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game Red Jasper, Marble
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver bi-color chessboard and chess game in "Florence" style. The chessboard is in molten silver with red jasper and white color marble The work was engraved with the anc...
Marble, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Silver 800 and Ebony "Benvenuto Cellini Salt Cellar"Replica
Located in VALENZA, IT
Fantastic reproduction of the famous saltcellar of Benvenuto Cellini, symbol of the world goldsmith's art. The master goldsmith made only very few copies of this wonderful object that makes it a unique piece in the world. 6.641 grams of solid silver. Some information on the original piece by Benvenuto Cellini: The Cellini Salt...
Silver
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 59 pieces
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...
Sterling Silver
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 84 pieces
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...
Sterling Silver
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of 'St. George & Dragon'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of 'St. George & Dragon' Germany, Early 20th Century A meticulously cast and modeled Medieval / Renaissance Figure of St. George Slaying the Dragon, This figure with a moveable helmet visor, revealing his carved bone face...
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Small shaped Picture Frame tiles of the Baptistery of Florence Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guillochè. Shaping taken from the tiles of the North Door of the Baptistery of the Florence Cathedral ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
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
French Renaissance by Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 32 Pc
Located in Big Bend, WI
French Renaissance by Reed & Barton sterling silver dinner flatware set of 32 pieces. This set includes: Eight dinner knives, fat handle, French style blade 9 7/8", eight dinner f...
Sterling Silver
$3,761Sale 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
Picture Frame in pure Florentine Renaissance style Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with painted fire enamels like lapis lazuli stone. Shaping taken from the tiles of the North Door of the Baptistery of the F...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Picture Frame Silver Enamel with hand-engraved, fire-enamelled design Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Giorgio Salimbeni Gold-Plated Sterling Silver and Enamel Photo Frame, Florence, 1970 Elegant rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated, and richly decorated wi...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Renaissance Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 70 Pcs Dn
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous dinner and luncheon size French Renaissance by Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware set - 70 pieces. This set includes: Eight dinner size knives, wide handles, 9 3/4" Eig...
Sterling Silver
Table Box shaped tiles of the Baptistery of Florence Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with painted fire enamels like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful miniature hand painted by the painter Beatrice Mellana reproducing ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of a Court Jester
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of a Court Jester Germany, Early 20th Century A meticulously cast and modeled Medieval / Renaissance Figure of the Court Jester...
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
French Renaissance by Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 40 Pc
Located in Big Bend, WI
French renaissance by Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware set, 40 pieces. This set includes: eight knives, 9", eight forks, 7 1/8", eight salad forks, 6 1/8", eight teaspo...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Jewelry Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
Jewelry box in 925 sterling silver. The body of the box is rectangular and shaped which makes its line light and harmonious. The hinged lid is hand-engraved with volutes and Florentine lilies...
Sterling Silver
$2,121Sale Price|20% Off
2th Century Italian Solidi 800 Silver Pr. of Candlesticks in Venetian Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Pair of solid silver candlesticks made in Italy in San Marco (Venetian) style completely handmade. The base is round and hand-hammered with t...
Silver
$3,182Sale Price|30% Off
20th Century Italian Silver Portal "Marriage of the Virgin"
Located in VALENZA, IT
Portal in chiseled solid silver depicting the "Marriage of the Virgin". The Marriage of the Virgin is an oil painting on wood (170 × 117 cm) by ...
Silver
Pair of Renaissance Style Vermeil Perfume Bottles
Located in London, GB
Pair of Renaissance style vermeil perfume bottles Continental, 19th century Measures: Height 20cm, diameter 6.5cm This beautiful pair of perfume bottles...
Silver
Rare 17th Century Silver Reliquary Arm Monstrance
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare silver reliquary arm with relic bone, with the coat-of-arms of Cosme Roger (1671-1710), bishop of Lombez, France, with original bone relic Poss...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition. Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Sterling Silver
$74,975 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.8 in
Set of 12 Exquisite "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charger Plates
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite set of 12 "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charges was realized in America in 1905. Each plate has heavily detailed boarders featuring a Kylix cup amid scrolling s...
Sterling Silver
$2,459 / set
H 7.29 in W 1.38 in D 0.99 in
19th Century French Silver Vermeil Flatware Dessert Set for Six, 18 Pieces
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming 19th century French 18-piece cased dessert silverware / flatware set, with its unique, slightly grotesque satyr mask motif and warm ve...
Vermeil, Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Fish Service for Eighteen Persons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver Lily pattern fish cutlery set for eighteen persons - boxed; an addition to our dining silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver flatware...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Table Lighter #203A
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Georg Jensen sterling silver table lighter in pattern 203A with small engraving on the body. A great gift and addition to one's...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$303Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 3.94 in D 2.37 in
21st Century Italian Sterling Silver Miniature of Saddle, Boots, Hat and Whip
Located in VALENZA, IT
Miniature in 925 sterling silver depicting a saddle, boots, hat and whip for a jockey resting on a wooden fence. The workmanship is in fusion and finished with chisel. The object c...
Sterling Silver
Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true-to-life silver armadillo that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative artwork in its own right. Expertly made by the Florentine...
Sterling Silver
$11,685
H 12.8 in Dm 3.94 in
20th Century Italian 925 Sterling Silver Torsade Vase by Mario Buccellati
Located in Braintree, GB
20th Century Italian 925 sterling silver torsade vase by Mario Buccellati Made in Italy, 20th Century. Maker: Mario Buccellati Fully hallmarked. Mario Buccellati was born int...
Sterling Silver
$9,616
H 6.3 in W 14.97 in D 7.09 in
Heavy Cast Pair of Sterling Silver Pheasant Models, London 1967, R. Comyns
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1967 by Richard Comyns, this handsome, pair of Sterling Silver Pheasants, are realistically cast and hand finished. The male measures 6.25"(16cm) tall, by...
Sterling Silver
$16,500 / set
H 8.63 in W 1 in D 0.3 in
75 Pc. Georg Jensen Caravel Sterling Silver Flatware Dinner Service for 12
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine 75-piece Georg Jensen sterling silver flatware set. Designed by Henning Koppel. In the Caravel pattern. Set comprises: 12 Dinner Forks (7 3/8") 12 Salad Forks (6 1/2") 12 Tea Spoons (5 15/16") 12 Place Spoons...
Sterling Silver
$8,566
H 1.58 in W 7.25 in D 4.49 in
Table Box Octagonal 925 Silver and semi-precious tiger's eye stone Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table box in semi-precious tiger's eye stone with a hinged 925/1000 sterling silver hull. The interior of the lid is in black Belgian marble. Dimensions: 11.4 x 18.4 x 4 c...
Belgian Black Marble, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Colen Hewer Cheshire Sterling Silver Cigarette Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Colen Hewer Cheshire sterling silver cigarette case.
Sold
H 1.11 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
Sterling Silver Gold-Plated Cigarette Case with Florentine Mosaic, Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, smooth on the sides. The lid features a plate with a fine floral mosaic of semiprecious stones made with the...
Belgian Black Marble, Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.07 in W 7.09 in D 4.34 in
Table box sterling silver fine floral mosaic “commesso fiorentino” Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, smooth on the sides. On the lid, a plate with a fine floral mosaic of semiprecious stones made with the “commesso fiorentino”...
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
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 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 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 79 Pieces
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with groundbreaking architects, designers, and artists from around the world. Commissioned by such figures as Pope Pius Ix...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.5 in W 3.25 in D 2 in
Renaissance Style Sterling Silver Paw-Footed Trinkets Box With Hinged Lid
By Hanau
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Edwardian Period, Renaissance-Style, sterling silver paw-footed trinkets box with handle and hinged lid, made in Hanau, Germany and imported ...
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
Sold
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 63 pieces
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Renaissance by Christofle France Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 147 Pcs
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.25 in W 1.5 in D 2.5 in
Antique Italian Buccellati Sterling Silver 925 Napkin Ring Monogram D 25g
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique Buccalleti Villa Palladio sterling silver napkin ring with a slightly oval scalloped form, monogrammed with the letter D. Made in Italy. Since 1919, the name Buccellati h...
Sterling Silver
Italian Renaissance Style Silver Chalice
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (19th Century) silver chalice with cover and floral design.
Silver
Italian 20th Century Solid 800 Silver Jug Renaissance Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Renaissance-style solid silver jug, characterized by a central mask positioned under the spout and border with sixteenth-century motifs and handle wit...
Silver