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.
$4,421Sale Price|20% Off
Venetian gold mirror in Murano glass by Barbini brothers
Located in Palermo, IT
Barbini Veneziani brothers' gold mirror circa 1960. Decorations with Murano flowers and long woven glass slats in the edges of the mirror, thus recalling the Renaissance period.
Mirror, Murano Glass
Antique French Renaissance Floor Mirror, Dark Walnut Wood, 1900s
Located in High Point, NC
A cabinet whose dark walnut, turned finial gives it real character at first glance. Originating in France during 1900s, it shows the construction techniques typical of the time. Craf...
Glass, Oak
Antique French Neoclassical Gold Figural Gesso Large 76x54 Trumeau Floor Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Neoclassical Gold Figural Gesso Large 76x54 Trumeau Floor Mirror. Item features a large impressive size, gold gilt gesso figural details, maiden faces, urns and wreath...
Gesso, Glass
Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Brass Cheval Floor Mirror, 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hollywood Regency Neoclassical brass tilting cheval floor mirror.
Brass
$25,758
H 2.37 in Dm 39.38 in
Life Wall Mirror by Sabrina Landini, Art Silver Gold Glass, Handmade in Italy
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Stunning now, stunning forever. Crafted to stand the test of time, our Life mirror becomes family heirloom for future generations that can be passed down and cherished for years to c...
Birch, Art Glass
$2,800
H 66.54 in W 39.97 in D 18.51 in
Japanese Antique Keyaki Solid wood Standing Floor Mirror 1900s-30s
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Japanese standing mirror with wooden frame and stand made of quality, solid Keyaki Zelkova hardwood. It dates from the Meiji-Taisho era (1900s-1930s), as estimated by its sty...
Mirror, Wood
$6,900 / item
H 78 in W 32 in D 32 in
Black Walnut Cheval Floor Mirror with Hand Antiqued Glass by Hinterland Design
Located in Vancouver, BC
This custom Cheval style pivoting floor mirror is a freestanding version of our wall-hanging Oxbow mirror. Our Oxbow mirror combines a perfect arc, mystic mirror effects, and a simple platform for display or function. The oxbow form is derived from the cut-off section of an old meandering river when the water finds an easier pathway through a valley. Leaving a horseshoe or oxbow lake alongside a flowing river. Like a leftover reminder of where the waterway once traveled. The mirror is made from solid bent American black walnut which is hand oiled and waxed with natural low-voc satin oil and a beeswax polish and features an unique hand etched silver mirror with back painted finish. The mirror pivots slightly forwards and backwards and is secured with antiqued brass pins...
Steel
Monumental Venetian Mirror circa 1940's
Located in Atlanta, GA
Monumental Venetian Mirror, Italian, circa 1940's. This is the largest Venetian mirror we have encountered in the past twenty years. It is i...
Mirror, Wood
Large Antique, Two-Sided Floor Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great mirror in solid elm. Identical on both sides! The mirror glass has been recently replaced on both sides and has a 3/4 inch bevel.
Glass, Mirror, Elm
$2,107Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in D 1.38 in
Venetian Modern Flower Shaped Wall Mirror with Brass Details
Located in Barcelona, ES
Venetian style flower wall mirror with gilt metal accents, Spain, 1950s This flower shaped mirror has a triple layered mirror frame. The internal and external layers are made with a ...
Metal, Brass
Antique French Empire Style Cheval Floor Mirror Cherry & Brass
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique French Empire Style Cheval Floor Mirror Cherry & Brass
Brass
$11,728Sale Price|37% Off
H 75.2 in W 42.13 in D 1.19 in
Large French Louis XVI Giltwood Mirror, Neoclassical, Circa 1880
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant French Louis XVI style giltwood mirror, dating from the Napoleon III period, retaining the original mirror plate, the wide frame decorated with a string of pearls and a foliage of olive tree, surmounted by a Central leaf and a farandole of delicate roses. This mirror will bring the French chic touch you...
Giltwood
$1,860 / item
H 66 in W 24 in D 2 in
Full Length Mirror in Powder Coated Steel and Glass by Laylo Studio
By Laylo Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
A glossy, powder-coated steel frame with glass mirror and hardwood ply backer board. Handmade in Chicago to exacting specifications. Let us know your ideal size and finish and ...
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Large Rectangular Floor Mirror in Dark-Stained Wood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This oversized full-length mirror features a substantial wooden frame with clean architectural lines and a deep profile, offering a bold yet understated presence suitable for a wide ...
Mirror, Wood
$2,024Sale Price|45% Off
H 57.29 in W 37.8 in D 1.97 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing French 19th century trumeau mirror in wood and gilded stucco, crafted in a neo- classical style. This simple but elegant mirror is enclosed within a fluted giltwood frame...
Giltwood
Antique French Renaissance Floor Mirror, Dark Walnut Wood, 1900s
Located in High Point, NC
A cabinet whose dark walnut, turned finial gives it real character at first glance. Originating in France during 1900s, it shows the construction techniques typical of the time. Craf...
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 34.65 in W 17.33 in D 1.58 in
Late 19th Century Dutch Pressed Metal Wall Mirror With Floral Decorative Motifs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Late 19th Century Dutch Pressed Metal Wall Mirror With Floral Decorative Motifs & Sectional Bevelled Glass
Metal
Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Mirror is more than just a mirror, it's a work of art! The sculptor who created it was truly talented, and worked in bold full relief to captur...
Mirror, Oak
19th Century Italian Mirror Heavily carved in Walnut
Located in Buxton, GB
Absolutely Fantastic 19th Century Italian Mirror Heavily carved in Walnut Hand Carved Surround Boar Central Crest Carvings of Flowers, Berries & Foliage Small Console Table Stan...
Walnut, Mirror
Sold
H 65.5 in W 25.5 in D 1 in
Vintage French Renaissance Revival Style Giltwood Pier Mirror by Olson
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Renaissance Revival style pier mirror by J. A. Olson offers mirror with giltwood frame having floral and foliate elements surmounting matching beveled marble top ba...
Marble
19th Century Grand Hand-Carved Renaissance Stripped Oak Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century grand hand-carved Renaissance stripped oak mirror was crafted on an oversized scale for a large manoir in the north of France. The patina of the wood is striking when it...
Oak
Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Henri II Hand-Carved Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Measuring a full eight feet tall, this grand 19th century French Renaissance mirror is perfect for providing a panoramic reflection of your room, enhancing ambient light and doing it...
Mirror, Oak