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.
Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A magnificent 10pc. sterling silver tea / coffee set by France’s premier silversmith Amelie Cardeilhac (Christofle) in the rare renaissance pattern "Silversmiths t...
Silver, Sterling Silver
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
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
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.625 in W 5.75 in D 3.625 in
10 Pc., Ambrosius Lamm, Dresden Porcelain Tea Set C. 1910
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 10-piece Ambrosius Lamm Dresden porcelain tea set, dating to circa 1910, epitomizes the elegance and refinement of early 20th-cen...
Porcelain
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
Sterling Silver Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer you this sterling silver tea set by Gorham Silversmiths, hallmarked 1874. This one hundred and fifty years old set has been ...
Sterling Silver
$250 / set
H 5.5 in W 7.5 in D 4.5 in
Antique Van Bergh Silver Plated Victorian Tea Serving Set w/ Monogram - 3 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Van Bergh Silver Plated Victorian Tea Serving Set w/ Monogram - 3 Pc Set. Listing includes (1) lidded sugar bowl, (1) creamer, (1) small creamer. Monogram to smallest pieces....
Silver Plate
$3,701 / item
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
$695 / set
H 9 in W 10 in D 4 in
Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set, 4 Pc
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Sheffield B. Altman Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Service Set with Bakelite Handles - 4 Pcs. Set includes (1) Teapot, (1) Coffee pot, (1) Creamer, (1) Open sugar bowl al...
Silver Plate
$550 / set
H 7.5 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
Antique Reed & Barton 4090 Silver Plated Victorian Tea Service - 5 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Reed & Barton 4090 Silver Plated Victorian Tea Service - 5 Pc Set. Set includes (1) teapot), (1) coffee pot, (1) creamer, (1) covered sugar bowl, (1) open sugar bowl. Cir...
Silver Plate
$2,232 / item
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
$1,615Sale Price|27% Off
H 7.88 in W 8.27 in D 14.18 in
Silver Plated Tea Set, Exclusive Antique 3 Parts Kettle Coffee Pot, Warmer Set
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Tea Set with Warmer Swedish C. Keijser & Östberg A superb antique silver-plated three-piece tea set, including an elegant kettle with warmer and matching teapot...
Metal, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
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
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
Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set - Renaissance Model
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris, A Magnificent 10-piece Sterling Silver Tea Set by France's Premier Silversmith Cardeilhac (Christofle), "Silversmiths to the Aristocracy of Europe". The French si...
Sterling Silver
Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 10pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A magnificent 10pc. sterling silver tea / coffee set by France’s premier silversmith Amelie Cardeilhac (Christofle) in the rare renaissance pattern "Silversmiths t...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 3.15 in
Sicilian Giovanni Capuani Este Porcelain Lemon Sugar Bowl Number 78, Italy 1940s
Located in Sofia, BG
Giovanni Capuani “Vecchia Este” Italy, 1940 Dipinto a mano or Handmade Marked BA 78 Este Ceramiche Porcellane, established in the 18th century in its ...
Porcelain