Renaissance Furniture

As soon as 1540 France's second Renaissance is in the making, intimately linked to the rediscovery of the Antique world. The development of the printing and engraving industry allows the spread of artworks and models in many cities and countries. The Italian influence can be perceived in every artistic field. While the French king entrust the most talented Italian artists with major projects such as Il Rosso or Primaticcio in Fontainebleau, French artists also travel to Italy to form themselves to this new style. In Italy they get acquainted with the work of Leo Battista Alberti the first to theorize perspective (De Pictura, 1435-36) and architecture (De re oedificatoria, 1541). Those two publications would have a revolutionary impact on arts. Furniture is marked by the work of the most famous Italian architects of the time as well as French architects. Indeed Philibert de l'Orme competes with Alberti and by the end of his life publishes several treaties including one devoted to a theory of architecture (1567). Unfortunately he would not live to complete the second volume. In this treaty he expresses his interest for mathematical norms applied to architecture, copied from the Antique. His journeys in Italy allowed him to accumulate the most sophisticated references. Jean Bullant, another architect of great talent also theorizes his practice. He establishes rules characterizing Greco-Roman art staying faithful to Vitruvius. Following this new inspiration the structure of furniture evolves. From then on appear columns, capitals, cornices, friezes and architraves. The ornamentation uses this inspiration as well with egg-and-dart, palm leaf and rose adorning the most beautiful pieces. In Lyon, crossroad where meet merchants from everywhere those new experiments are welcomed. Lyon florishing printing industry allows the spreading of models and treaties essential to the artist's work. Thus the first publication of Vitruvius' De Architectura in France would be printed in Lyon in 1532. Artists from Lyon rediscover and familiarize themselves with the Antique knowledge very early. They adopt those new ideas and use them in their own creations. Lyon cabinet-makers re interpret Antique architecture and Italian Renaissance palaces to give their pieces a pure and harmonious architectural structure. Grooved pilasters are particularly favored. They are topped by capitals of diverse orders always respecting the sequencing with simpler ones for the lower levels and the richest ones on the higher levels. As for the ornamentation, one of the great distinctiveness of Lyon workshops remains the architectural perspective illusions, drawing inspiration from Tuscany. True masterpiece of the Second French Renaissance this important cabinet illustrates Lyon workshops' taste for fine Italian architecture inspired by Antiquity. An architectural perspective of great quality is treated in symmetry on each panel. This two-bodied cabinet without recess stands on four rectangular feet. The base comprises a molding, a palm leaf frieze and is bordered by a braid. The lower body is divided by three grooved pilasters with Tuscan capitals framing two door-leaves. The two panels are encircled by a moudled frame with palm leaves. They are finely carved with a decor of fantasized architecture depicting an Italian Renaissance palace erected symmetrically on each side of a grooved pilaster. On the ground floor a door opens through a stilted arch while the stories are opened with mullioned windows, dormers and occuli. Two large pegged-boss cladded pillars support the entablature enriched by a palm leaf frieze upon which stands an arch whose coffered intrados is centred by a rose. Behind this arch a pyramid appears, standing in front of a second facade with a window topped by a broken curvilinear pediment under a cul-de-four with a shell. The checker flooring gives depth to the low-reliefs creating vanishing points structuring the panels and guiding the eye of the observer. A thin laurel braid highlights the belt of the cabinet where are located two drawers. Their facades are adorned by palm leaves in hoops. The upper body is encircled with palm leaves. The same ternary division as in the lower body appears. However, the pilasters are topped by Ionic capitals with volutes and egg-and-dart. The door-leaves are framed with flowers. On the panels the artist has designed another architectural decor. On the foreground open two arches on top of grooved pilasters with rectangular capitals adorned with palm leaves. The arches are enriched with braids and the coffered intrados bears a decor of roses. The spandrels also bear a flower decor. In the background another arcature hosts a fluted grooved column topped with double basket acanthus capital, characteristic of Corinthian order. The triangular pediment is interrupted by a choux bourguignon. A large cornice crowns the cabinet. It stands on pilasters and forms an entablature comprising a palm leaf frieze and an egg-and-dart, triglyph and palm leaf cornice. The cabinet's sides have also been carefully considered. The lower body's panels are enriched with an arch rising above a broken pediment portico hosting a twisted column. Flowers garnish the spandrels. An architectural facade completes the decor. The upper body's panels present two arches supported by a facade opened with dormers and mullioned windows as well as cartouches (one bears the inscription 1580 dating the cabinet) suggesting the interior of an Italian Renaissance palace, confirmed by the chandeliers. The flooring leads our gaze to a second arch with a broken curvilinear pediment where stands a flower vase. This arch opens onto a perspective of another facade along a road. Inside the cabinet, on the lower body door-leaves appear two designs. On the right door is depicted a Crucifixion. Saint Mary and Saint John flank the Christ on the cross. In the bottom part is inscribed « Dure uiator abis nihil haec spectacula curas / Pendenti cum sis unica cura Deo. / Tota suo moriente dolet natura Magistro. / Nil qui solus eras caussa dolenda doles. ». The signature [Christoff Swartz Monachiensis pinx[it] / Ioa[nnes] Sadeler sculp[it]] tells us it was made by Johan Sadeler I (1550-1600) after Christoph Schwartz (1548-1592). This engraving belongs to an ensemble depicting the Passion of Christ Johan Sadeler executed in 1589 after an altar piece painted by Christoph Schwartz for the private chapel of Renée of Loraine, wife of Duke William V of Bavaria. This altar piece made of nine copper panels has been destroyed during the 19th century. The Crucifixion panel once in the centre of the altar piece is the only one that survived and is today kept in Munich's Alte Pinakothek. On the left door appears Saint Francis receiving the stigmata. The inscription says : « Signastidomine Servum Tuum. Franciscum. Signis Redemptionis Nostrae ». This Renaissance cabinet with an architectural decor appearing as much in the structure faithful to Antique rules...

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10 English Renaissance-style (20th Century) pewter tankards with lid. (PRICED EACH)

An extraordinarily rare and visually striking 16th-century Venetian iron treasure coffer, showcasing the height of Renaissance artistry and engineering. Crafted in the early to mid-1...

A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680 We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica c...

ELEGANTLY Carved Antique French Honey Oak Cabinet with Double Doors and Drawer~~c. early 20th century Beautiful, canted corners and carved double doors with full length upp...

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Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...

Exceptional polychrome wood low-relief depicting a werewolf and saint george after a woodcut by lucas cranach (“DER WERWOLF” 1512) Provenance : collection Brimo de Laroussihle colle...

19th century Italian frame in Renaissance style wood marquetry. 19th century Italian Renaissance style wood marquetry frame. Frame: H: 25.5cm, W: 20cm, D: 1cm Interior view: H: 14,...

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Italian Renaissance style 19th Century terra cotta 10 piece religious creche/nativity set. (PRICED AS SET) Minor chips and losses, shows wear consistent with age.

This fine oak chest was crafted in England around 1700 and stands as a beautiful example of the solid yet stylish furniture of the period. The front is richly decorated with geometri...

Original lock and key This piece of furniture shows no recess on its upper part. It opens with four folding-doors and two drawers within the belt. The key bears the date 1524 above cross motifs. Burgundy and Lyon regions subordinated themselves to architecture in a different manner than the other french schools. Rather than using particularly columns and pediments pieces of furniture from Lyon borrow architecture’s organization principles and rigorous designs. On the upper body a strong feeling of balance and symmetry appears with the folding doors reliefs. Swags of flowers and fruits held with knot cloth centered by a man seating on his arms. Here profiles, masks and chou de Bourgogne mingle with the structuring scrolls. The two lateral terms wear draperies and the goddess Diana in the center wears a belt of fruits similar to Hugue Sambin’s designs (Termes de Diane et de Venus, 1554, BNF). The two palm-leaves enriched drawers and the alternating scrolls belt balance the weight of the cornice with its alternatings consoles and tops. The lower body is also adorned by three terms with a feminine one in the center, all three are wearing fruits on their heads. The folding doors are centered upon a motif of cut cuirs by a mask in high relief. Wearing a feathered tiara...

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...

Condition: Original Vintage Condition Style: Italian Renaissance This exquisite Italian Renaissance–style carved mahogany desk showcases the dramatic craftsmanship and sculptural detail that defined the finest early 20th-century revival furniture. Its deeply carved scrollwork, acanthus motifs, and architectural pedestal bases highlight the artistry associated with Italian design traditions of the 1920s. Constructed from solid mahogany, the piece carries a strong presence, beautifully aged with warm patina throughout. The desk retains its original vintage condition, offering an authentic representation of its era while remaining structurally sound and visually striking. Sold originally through Bullock’s in Los Angeles—one of California’s most prestigious luxury retailers—it reflects the store’s reputation for offering European-inspired furnishings to complement the region’s Mediterranean and Spanish Revival homes. Fun Historical Fact: Bullock’s Los Angeles was famous in the early 20th century for importing and commissioning Italian and Spanish Revival furniture...

16th Century French Renaissance period fireback with the Arms of France. Coat of arms of the house of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major dynasty in Europe....

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A true masterpiece, by Bronzes Artisticos Espana, a wall plate, richly decorated over and over with mythological szenes and glass stones and procelain cartridges. This large medalli...

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Important two-part buffet cabinet in oak, dating from the late 16th century, notable for the quality of its construction and its richly carved high-relief decoration, characteristic ...

ORIGIN : ITALY, TUSCANY PERIOD : 16th CENTURY DIMENSIONS : Height : 73 cm Length : 180 cm Depth: 57 cm Good condition Walnut wood This significant Florentine cassone in the shape of a sarcophagus features a beautiful front panel flanked at the corners by two mascarons surrounded by voluted acanthus leaves. It rests on two lion's paw feet at the front. The decoration includes a beautiful frieze of scales at the bottom, which continues on the sides. Above this, in the center, a scrollwork cartouche once bore coats of arms. On either side, there is an abundant vegetal decor with vine branches and sumptuous grape clusters. The domed top lid is adorned around its edge with a wide frieze featuring a scale motif, harmoniously matching the lower cornice. This beautiful cassone is interesting for several reasons. The choice of ornamentation is not random. Grapes have numerous meanings and are often associated with fertility, especially when represented on a wedding cassone...

Italian Renaissance style (19th Century) blue velvet hanging banner with embroidered center.

English Renaissance-style halberd spear with wooden shaft and small 29-inch iron ax blade.

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A fine and rectangular tapestry woven in tan and rust tones with green. In the center is a forest landscape. Made of wool and silk.

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17th Century Italian Ebonized Inlaid Milanese Table Cabinet. Cabinet is an exceptional rectangular box-form cabinet veneered in richly toned ebony and rosewood, lavishly inlaid with ...

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Late 19th century Italian screen with a gorgeous oil painting of floral scene. The oil paint colors are vibrant and in good condition. The frame is made of canvas over a wooden frame...

An 18th-century Italian Renaissance oil painting of Our Lady of Peace, depicting Mary in red and green robes holding the Christ Child and a white dove. Against a dark, atmospheric ba...

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Large rectangular Venetian mirror, made in the strictest Murano tradition, with a central glass mosaic. Finely hand-engraved on the b...

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A rare and evocative 16th-century German Executioner’s Sword (Richtschwert), forged in Passau, one of the preeminent centers of Renaissance blade craftsmanship. Passau was renowned f...

ANTIQUE AUSTRIAN DECANTER AND CORDIAL GLASSES Hand-blown pinched clear glass decanter and four matching cordial glasses. Profusely decorated by ha...

Antique 17th Century Dutch oak and ebony two-door Renaissance cabinet. This extraordinary cupboard is made of the finest quarter-sawn oak...

Designed in the French Renaissance style this ornate pattern has nature inspired motifs including the popular acanthus leaf. Stunning Richelieu by International...

Elegant Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition with rich bands carefully engraved by hand. All assembled with golden crystal elements handmade in the Murano furnaces....

A Renaissance inspired four-panel gilded screen with Roman arches. Transform your living space into a haven of historical artistry with this four-panel folding screen, an exquisite h...

Impressive pair of Spanish Renaissance–style armchairs, crafted in solid wood and richly decorated with hand-carved geometric and floral motifs inspired by 16th-century Spanish Renai...

Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a curved back panel and central rosette spout. The semi-circular basin and slender design offer elegant prop...

Rare late 15th or early 16th century Mudejar tile of the so-called ‘Arista’ technique with intricate geometric decoration. Good condition; some chipping to the edges, some wear to ...

Nice carved wooden chest from the Renaissance period, late 16th early 17th century. The lower part is decorated with a carved frieze composed of g...

Large 17th C Italian ebonized walnut guilloche mirror with original glass Walnut, mirrored glass Measures: H 47.5, W 41.5 in.

This 19th century painting depicts the Madonna and Child, inspired by the celebrated works of Raphael. The Virgin tenderly embraces the Child, echoing the warmth and harmony that def...

Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table features rectangular top with beveled edges over four beautifully bobbin turned barley twisted legs, connected to one another with c...

A finely rendered octagonal sided wooden model of a Renaissance Baptistry or Church of very good proportions & scale, showing distinctive Islamic influences as observed in the ei...

A late 17th Century, antique Renaissance Tabernacle door made of hand crafted Walnut, in good condition. The detailed wall panel décor piece is composed wi...

English Renaissance 17th Century Solid Oak Chest Trunk Spectacular period Renaissance oak chest, dating from the early 17th century. The antique piece features a front composed of p...

Beautiful authentic Italian metal and wood portable tabernacle in style of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. A civil and military architect, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger was tr...

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This buffet confiturier is in the style of Henri II, rich in carvings. Buffet confiturier means a cabinet with 1 door that was in the 19th century generally used in the kitchen.

2 Italian Murano rectangular wall mirrors with cut out top corners and a frame composed of 3 narrow panels of etched floral & scroll design beveled glass (PRICED EACH)

Rich Renaiscance period half-columns in Belgian Saint-Remy Marble for eclectic interior design. These 2 original antique, 16th century period, columns are mounted on a stand and has ...

A vintage king size oak tester or four poster bed in the Renaissance style. Hand carved with Adam & Eve carvings in the headboard, figurative sculptures in the bedposts, three carved armorials on the pelmet rail and an armorial tapestry and velvet bedspread...