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
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
$625 / item
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankards
Located in Queens, NY
10 English Renaissance-style (20th Century) pewter tankards with lid. (PRICED EACH)
Pewter
$28,850 / set
Continental Silver Gilt Salt Cellars
Located in New Orleans, LA
This set of six 19th century Continental silver gilt salt cellars take the triangular form of silver salts used by the affluent in Renaissance-era Germany. The salts are masterfully executed in a bold Mannerist style...
Silver
Italian Renaissance Style Silver Plate Chalice
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (18/19th Century) silver plate chalice with 6 cupid heads at base.
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankard
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (20th Century) pewter tankard/measure.
Pewter
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankards
Located in Queens, NY
12 English Renaissance-style (20th Century) straight pewter tankards. (PRICED EACH)
Pewter
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
English Renaissance Style Pewter Chalice
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (19th Century) pewter chalice with scene in relief and eagle on lid.
Pewter
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankard
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (20th Century) pewter tankard (measure) with 2 handles
Pewter
$450 / item
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankards
Located in Queens, NY
29 English Renaissance-style (20th Century) pewter shaped tankards with scroll handles. (PRICED EACH)
Pewter
English Renaissance Style Pewter Teapot
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (19th Century) pewter bulbous shaped tea pot with cover.
Pewter
Set of 4 English Renaissance Style Pewter Cups
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 English Renaissance-style (19th Century) pewter measuring cups in cone shaped container with handles. (PRICED AS SET)
Pewter
English Renaissance Style Pewter and Wood Ladle
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style (19th Century) pewter ladle with wood handle.
Pewter
Set of 4 English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankards
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 English Renaissance-style (20th Century) straight pewter tankards with scroll handle (PRICED AS SET)
Pewter
Set of 3 English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankards
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 English Renaissance style pewter tankards (measures). (PRICED AS SET)
Pewter
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
English Renaissance Style Pewter Tankard
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style pewter tankard (measure).
Pewter
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
Silver Travertine Cake Stand
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Make every occasion extraordinary with the Silver Travertine Cake Stand, a stunning centerpiece that combines elegance with functionality. The ro...
Travertine
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
$2,385 / 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
$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
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.75 in
19th Century Baccarat Gilt Bronze & Crystal Double Salt Cellars, a Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
Excellent pair of gilt bronze double cherub salt cellars! Fully marked to bottom. Each with removable crystal bowls, which i will be including a 5th (incase one breaks!).
Crystal, Bronze
$7,162
H 8.27 in W 7.49 in D 6.7 in
George III Period Antique Sterling Silver Lidded Tankard, Newcastle, 1772
By David Crawford, Newcastle 1
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Newcastle in 1772 by David Crawford, this handsome, George III period, Antique sterling silver tankard, has a tucked in shape, and a domed top. ...
Sterling Silver
Royal Holland Pewter Tea Pot
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Royal Holland Pewter Tea Pot
Pewter
$2,219 / set
H 9.45 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in
84-Piece Set Silver-plated Tableware - Christofle - Art Deco
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful set of silver plated tableware, complete for 12 persons, made by the French brand Christofle. The set dates from circa 1930 and is nicely designed in Art Deco style. The...
Silver Plate
$190
H 2 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Mid-Century Max & Moritz Salt Pepper Twins Shakers, WMF, 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of lovely modernist Bauhaus "Max & Moritz salt and pepper twins“ shakers, original vintage from the 1950s. Designed by Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld, executed by WMF Württembergische...
Stainless Steel
$9,168 / set
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Puiforcat - Cutlery Flatware Set Noailles Sterling Silver - 42 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Noailles" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Puiforcat. Cutlery set for 6 people including 42 pieces: - 6 table forks - 6 table knives - 6 table spoon...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Baroque style Table Mirror in Pewter
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a unusual mirror made for decorating the table. The mirror is made with a frame in pewter in baroque style and with the original mirror glass still in place. It stands on sma...
Pewter
Louis XV Reed & Barton Silver Flatware Set
Located in Queens, NY
French "Francis 1st pattern" 1920s sterling silver flatware dinner service set for 18 with a rococo floral design in a mahogany case. 250 pieces. (REED & B...
Sterling Silver, Brass
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
19th Century Austrian Solid Silver and Enamel Goblet, Vienna, circa 1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Austrian Renaissance revival solid silver enameled goblet, the body supported by spreading domed foot, beautifully enamelled with a ...
Silver, Enamel
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
Rare Rectangular Embroidered Crochet Linen Tablecloth
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a large rectangular embroidered crochet linen tablecloth. It is hand made and features different types of embroidery. Both ends are adorned wi...
Linen
Sold
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Grande Baroque by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 36 Pcs New
Located in Big Bend, WI
Unused Grande Baroque by Wallace sterling silver flatware set - 36 Pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9" 8 forks, 7 1/2" 8 salad forks, 6 5/8" 8 teaspoons, 6 1/4" 2 serving ...
Sterling Silver
Fine Bronze Ewer
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful Renaissance style ewer made in patinated bronze. Composed of a chiseled pouring spout, with a bearded head below, a handle decorated with acanthus scro...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Silver Salt Cellar, Toledo, Spain, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Specie or silver salt cellar in its color composed of a tray not very deep polygonal, raised and enhanced by four legs and also has two protomes of animals ...
Silver
Silver and Viennese Enamel Model of a Nef
By Hermann Böhm
Located in London, GB
This fine and rare nef is yet another example of the supreme quality of the Viennese enamellists' art at the end of the 19th century. This particular piece was made by Vienna's forem...
Silver, Enamel
Hand-Painted French Faience 18th Century Reproduction Plate, Mid-1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
This reproduction French plate is after an antique French Faience plate. It is marked EF to the back, completely handmade and painted and is very decorative. These plates were used in vaisseliers, vitrines and display cabinets.
Faience
Sold
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Richelieu by Tuttle Sterling Silver Flatware Set for Eight Service 46 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
For a table that truly sets you apart, grace every meal with extraordinary sterling silver from Tuttle. Designed in the French Renaissance style this ornate pattern has nature insp...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Burgundy by Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 6 Service 24 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Inspired by the French Renaissance, the burgundy sterling silver flatware pattern from Reed & Barton is decorated with motifs of scrolls, leaves and flowers which captures old world ...
Sterling Silver