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.
Antique Italian 16th Century Mantel 'anno 1596'
Located in Zedelgem, BE
Beautiful Italian Fireplace dating from the 16th Century with engraved date (1596) in basaltic grey stone.
Stone
Michelangelo prèt-a-porter Andrea Salvatori Ceramic Sculptural Ring contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A Ring Thing collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomical detail...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Michelangelo Prèt-a-Porter Ceramic Sculptural Ring Contemporary
Located in London, GB
"Michelangelo prèt-a-porter " - Unique piece, 2017 glazed earthenware A RING THING collection A small chair, a miniature moon, a Philipp Stark's squeezer or the anatomical detail...
Ceramic, Earthenware
A fine pair of 19th century Italian painted black and gilt carved torchieres
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and fine pair of Italian Renaissance carved and black painted torchieres with parcel gilt.
Ebony
Fireback from 1561 with the Alliance Arms of Jacques De Tige and Blanche De Vill
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Fireback from 1561 with the coat of arms of Jacques de Tige, son of Gobert de Tige and Catherine de Serainchamps, and Blanche de Villelongue, daughter of Jean de Villelongue and Clau...
Iron
$24,713Sale Price|65% Off
World's Columbian exhibition 1893 - Painting of Evariste Luminais
Located in PAU, FR
Evariste Vital Luminais (1821 - 1896) "Hunters of the 16th century" Imposing Oil on canvas signed lower left Numerous exhibition labels including the Universal Exhibition in Chicag...
Canvas
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Renaissance Style Copper Figure of a Pilgrim with a Small Dog, circa 1860
Located in San Francisco, CA
Renaissance style figure of a pilgrim with a small dog. Continental hammered, repouusse and incised copper, circa 1860.
Copper
Pair of Large Italian Cast Iron Goblets End 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF LARGE ITALIAN CAST IRON GOBLETS end 19th century HEIGHT 57cm WIDTH 64cms DEPTH 49cm ROUND BASE DIAMETER Ø 23 cm good conditions.
Iron
PAIR OF ViNTAGE CORINTHIAN PILLAR BRASS DESK LAMPS WITH GRAPE VINE DETAILING
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of vintage Corinthian Pillar table lamps with Grape Vine decoration Please note the del...
Brass
pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Griotte marble lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble lamps. Each stunning urn mounted into a lamp is raised on a square Rouge Griotte marble base wi...
Marble, Ormolu
pair of 19th century Renaissance st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and highly quality pair of Continental 19th century Renaissance st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps. Each wonderfully detailed lamp is atop a mottled edged triangular ba...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Renaissance style enamelled porcelain plaques
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Renaissance style enamelled porcelain plaques French, c. 1880 Frame: Height 32cm, width 22.5cm, depth 1.5cm Plaque: Height 30cm, width 20.5cm, depth 0.5cm These elega...
Porcelain
Pair Of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronze, Ormolu, And Marble Ewers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu, black Belgium and Rosso Antico marble ewers. The pair of urns are raised by square Belgium marble...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu and Etched Glass Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and etched glass vases. Each vase is raised by a circular base with lovely scrolled foliate designs on a hammered backgr...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a beautiful circular base with three fine seashell shaped supports ...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Ormolu and Onyx Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French mid 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu eight arm, twelve light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a beautiful circular fitted onyx plateau through which the...
Alabaster, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Restauration St. Candelabra Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality true pair of French 19th century Restauration st. patinated bronze, ormolu, and black Belgian marble candelabra lamps. Each five arm lamp...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Renaissance Style Giltwood Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most handsome Italian 19th century Renaissance st. giltwood and faux painted marble center table. The rectangular table is raised by beautiful palmette designed fee...
Giltwood
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Ormolu Six-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu six light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a finely chased and etched foliate finial below an elaborate and most d...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze and Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and marble lamps. Each lamp is raised by ormolu ball feet below the triangular Black Belgian marble base with ...
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Walnut and Giltwood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. walnut and giltwood armchairs. Each chair is raised by elegant circular tapered turned legs with fine bun feet and connected by...
Walnut, Giltwood
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Rouge Antique Marble Ormolu & Bronze Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Antique marble, ormolu and patinated bronze tazza. The tazza is raised by a circular ormolu band below the tapered marble bas...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Glass lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most charming French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Glass lantern. This stunning lantern is centered by a most decorative pierced bottom inverted finial. Four...
Ormolu
$263Sale Price|32% Off
Sir Robert Naunton Stipple Engraving
By Robert Cooper
Located in Chonburi, TH
This antique engraving of Sir Robert Naunton, created by Robert Cooper from England, showcases the meticulous stipple engraving technique. Produced in 1814, this piece is in excellen...
Paper
Luxury Savonnerie Wool Ivory / Ivory Area Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Based on an original Asmara painting inspired by a Tuscan Hillside covered with olive groves, cypresses, wildflowers and goldenrod bushes. This handmade cut and loop pile rug...
Wool
An Italian Walnut Octagonal Library Table, 17th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Italian Walnut Octagonal Library Table, 17th Century A small Italian walnut library table with moulded octagonal top and hollow rounded dentil cornice over a panelled square frie...
Walnut
$5,165 / item
Fogo Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Milan, IT
Rectangular Venetian mirror, crafted in the most rigorous glassmaking tradition, finely hand-engraved on the bands by skilled master engravers. All elements are assembled with floral...
Glass