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.
Picture Frame Sterling Silver Enamel with borders in Louis XVI style Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with borders in the French Empire Louis XVI style. External dimensio...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame Sterling Silver Enamel resembling lapis lazuli stone Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with painted fired enamels resembling lapis lazuli stone. Shape taken from the panels of the North Door of the Baptistery of the F...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
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
Table Box Four-leaf clover-shaped 925 Silver, lapis lazuli and jasper Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Four-leaf clover-shaped table box in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with petals in lapis lazuli and red jasper. Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 2 cm. Silver weight: 175 g. Designed by ...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold Plate, 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
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, Enamel, Sterling 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
Small shaped Picture Frame tiles of the Baptistery of Florence Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, 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
$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
$3,727Sale 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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
Picture Frame in pure Florentine Renaissance style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio 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
$2,101Sale 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
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
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
$3,152Sale 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
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver photo frame. The frame was made in Italy by the Argenteria Raddi of Florence. The design is typically Libeerty with the characteristic flowers, festoons and ribbons...
Sterling Silver
$2,096Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Trunk-Shaped Box with Squirrel Knob
Located in VALENZA, IT
Solid silver 800 box the shape of a tree trunk. The feet are oak leaf and the knob depicts a squirrel on two oak leaves holding an acorn in his hands. The hinged box is gold-plated ...
Silver
$2,437 / 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
$1,499
H 16.74 in W 13 in D 6.11 in
South American Sterling Silver Hand Made Embossed Picture Frame / Mirror 1940´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
South American sterling silver hand made / Embossed picture frame / mirror 1940´s. Marked hand-made and 925 (it´s the sterling mark in south america). Perfect for any Mexican Style h...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Sterling Silver-Mounted Shagreen Table Box
By Charles Boyton & Sons, Ltd.
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco, sterling silver-mounted shagreen table box, London, 1923, Charles Boynton & Sons, Ltd, makers. Measures: 6 1/4" wide x 3 1/2" deep x 2 1/4" high. Wood lined. Shagreen is be...
Sterling Silver
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver table snuff box; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular, rounded form. The body of the box is embellished with impressive chased floral motifs accented with scrolling stem and foliate ornamentation, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a chased single leaf design to each corner, emanating from the rounded lower portion. The upper rim of the body and swept sides of the cover are encompassed with a continuous band of engine turned decoration. The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration. This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover embellished with an engine turned bordered rectangular vacant cartouche to the upper plateau. The cover is further embellished with an exceptional cast and applied domed, incurved border to the upper portion, matching the ornamentation to that of the body and continuing to an impressive floral thumbpiece to the anterior edge. This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior. Condition This antique sterling silver snuff box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The chased and applied ornamentation is all very sharp and the engine turned decoration is all very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the box are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silverware. Dimensions Length 9.8cm/3.9" Width 6.5cm/2.6" Height 4.3cm/1.7" Weight 8.2 troy ounces/253g Maker: Joseph Willmore...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,500 / set
H 0.5 in W 0.75 in D 9.25 in
Twenty-Two Piece Set of Sterling Silver and Ebony "Contrast" Flatware by Lunt
By Lunt Silver
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous twenty-two piece set of sterling silver and ebony nylon "Contrast" flatware by Lunt Silver Co.., circa 1950s. The set is in very good vintage condition and is stamped on the...
Sterling 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
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Table Box
By Pampaloni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Rectangular/octagonal table box in 925 silver. The box was completely handmade in Florence at the end of the last century. Engraved with floral and abstract motifs, it has been fin...
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
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
$1,552
H 6.3 in W 9.85 in D 9.45 in
20th Century Shell and silvered Metal Italian Water Bird Sculpture Binazzi, 1980
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian sculpture from the second half of the 20th century. Creation of a water bird composed of a large shell and exquisite silver-plated metal elements. Stamped on the underside (o...
Metal
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, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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, Christofle Cardeilhac 1
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