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.
French Trumeau Trompe L'Oeil Mirror circa 1900
Located in CA, CA
A stunning French 'trompe l'oeil' Trudeau mirror. Superb work from the early 20th century, moulded construction of gesso on a timber frame, hand painted with finished gold detailing....
Glass, Gesso
19th Century French Iron Gothic Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
A handsome and elegant antique Neo-classic Tuilleries Orangerie wall mirror with arched top made of hand crafted cast iron antique frame that o...
Metal, Iron
Antique Renaissance Carved and Whitewashed Wood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Renaissance Carved and Whitewashed Wood Mirror is a glorious example of hand-sculpted artistry making it an exceptional choice for adding flair and ambiance to any room. The...
Mirror, Oak
Renaissance Style Carved and Gilded Walnut Pier Mirror and Console Table
Located in Miami, FL
20th century fine Renaissance carved and gilded walnut pier mirror frame and console table with beautiful original patina Mirror measurements: Width 45.66in Height 57.87in Dept...
Wood, Paint
Italian carved walnut 19th century Renaissance style Mirror
Located in Troy, NY
Very decorative Renaissance style mirror with two female figures in profile prominently flanking either side of the carved frame. Later mirror plate. Probably the top part of a firep...
Walnut
19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Console Table and Mirror
Located in London, GB
Constructed in walnut, richly and finely carved, rising from a serpentine base supported by shaped and scrolled feet, with an spread wing eagle, with one talon aloft, holding a shiel...
Walnut
French 19th Century Louis XVI Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The rippling texture of this symmetrical mirror dazzles in the light, its gilded molding carved like waves of finely-woven rattan, an exotic effect underscored by rococo garlands ani...
Mirror, Wood
19th C. American Carved Wood East Lake Painted Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique East Lake style victorian black painted hand carved wall mirror with gold accented carved detail. Newly refinished condition. Har...
Wood
$3,500
H 53 in W 43 in D 4 in
Large Neoclassical Style Mahogany and Gilt Beveled Pier Mirror by LaBarge
By LaBarge
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and striking Neoclassical style mirror crafted with gilt palmettes on the cornice and frieze with basket of flowers and leaves. The segmented half column supports turned with...
Wood
$4,809Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 103.94 in W 48.82 in D 21.66 in
Large Gold Leafed 20th Century Console Mirror and Table with Marble Top
Located in DE
Beautiful and ornate solid wood mirror with cast stone angels and figures on both mirror and matching console table. Console table top is a white mar...
Cast Stone, Gold Leaf
Fredrick Ramond Mirror and Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fredrick Ramond Mirror and Console Table, U.S.A. , 1970's Mirror signed lower right, brushed steel having brass elements, demilune table having glass t...
Brass, Steel
$2,760 / set
H 36.25 in W 47.75 in D 17 in
Baroque Style 19th Century Carved Gilt Wood Mirror and Matching Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very impressive ensemble including a large Gilt Wood Mirror and a Gilt Console with Marble Top. Provenance: the Dodge estate near Tuxedo Park, NY. Both in matching elaborate Baroqu...
Marble
$36,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 66 in W 52 in D 5.25 in
French Empire Style 19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror with Sphinxes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French Empire style 19th century Napoleon III giltwood and gesso carved figural mirror frame, flanked by a pair of sitting winged sphinxes, with carved scrolls, garlands ...
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
$18,950
H 115 in W 50.63 in D 13.5 in
Tall French 19th-20th Century Giltwood and Gesso Carved Grand-Hall Cherub Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A tall and impressive French 19th-20th century Belle Époque giltwood and gesso carved grand hall figural mirror. The imposing slender frame crowned with an allegorical group centered...
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
Italian Baroque Style Carved Gilt Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique Baroque style gilt mirror. Bold carvings, 19th century. Measures: 54" x 36". See our other mirrors. Please, contact us for shipping options. Presented by Joseph Dasta Antique...
Gold Leaf
Art Deco Style Lacqured Wall Console and Mirror
Located in Pomona, CA
Art Deco-style lacquered wall console and mirror. The mirror has purple and gold gilding on the top. The console has the same colors and style. The console has a heavy composition co...
Lacquer
Console Table & Matching Mirror
Located in Washington, DC
Suite of painted Napoleon III carved wood console table and matching mirror. Mirror Dimensions: H 51" - W 31.5"
Wood, Paint, Mirror
$1,840
H 40.16 in W 51.19 in D 2.37 in
Louis XVI Style Gilded Wood Mantel Mirror, France, Circa 1880, 102 cm
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An interesting and unusual-shaped Louis XVI style overmantel mirror with central arch, in gilded wood and stucco. The outer frame features a simple chain of olive leaves...
Giltwood
Sold
H 80 in W 45 in D 4.5 in
Antique French Pier Mantel Wall Mirror Baroque Carved Oak Renaissance, circa1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Pier Mantel wall mirror baroque carved oak Renaissance, circa 1880. Direct from France, a substantial 19th century carved French pier/mantel mirror, over 6.5 ft. ta...
Mirror, Oak
Sold
H 48 in W 32 in D 1.75 in
Chinoiserie Wall, Console or over the Mantle Mirror, Italian, Hand Painted
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinoiserie wall, console or over the mantle mirror, italian, hand painted. A Bombay framed wall mirror having all over Chinoiserie hand painted decorative scenes of figures, houses...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 48 in W 33 in D 3.5 in
Antique French Carved Oak Frame Beveled Mirror Wall Pier Mantel Renaissance
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak frame beveled mirror wall pier mantel renaissance style. ~Direct from France~ ~Large and lovely antique carved Fre...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
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
18th Century Pair of Italian Florentine Giltwood Wall Mirrors
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb pair of 18th century Italian giltwood wall mirrors having pierced frames with deeply carved foliate and scrolling decoration enclosing replacement rectangular mirror plat...
Giltwood
Sold
H 66 in W 33 in D 3 in
Carved Gilt Gold Leaf Italian Wall or Console Mirror in Rococo Renaissance Form
Located in Stamford, CT
A carved gilt gold leaf Italian wall or console mirror in Rococo Renaissance form.
Gold Leaf
Large Antique Bleached Mahogany Oval Mirror.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super large oval mirror with the original bevel mirror plate. Lovely carved detail on the edge of the frame. The frame is slightly distressed. It has a look of old limestone...
Mahogany
Large Late 19th Century Dutch Ripple Molded and Ebonized Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
A large late 19th century Dutch ripple molded and ebonized mirror.
Wood
Late Renaissance Giltwood and Polychrome Painted Tabernacle Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
the overhanging cornice of three levels carved with leaf-form and dentile mouldings, the main decoration of the frame within a border of bead moulding and consisting of patterns of l...
Giltwood, Paint