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.
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
French 18th Century Renaissance Walnut Cabinet Vaisselier from Normandy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 18th century Renaissance walnut two door cabinet vaisselier from Normandy. The vaissellier is raised by a large bottom tier with a mottled border and scrolled suppo...
Walnut
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 Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Lamps, signed Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble candelabra lamps, signed Barbedienne. Each exceptional elect...
Marble, Bronze, 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
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and large scale true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble lamps. Each lamp is raised by a circular mottled Rouge G...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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 St. Ormolu and Marble Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble candelabras. Each most elegant two arm candelabra is raised by a circular Roug...
Marble, 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
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Silvered Bronze, Ormolu and Bronze Ewers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and richly decorated pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. silvered bronze, ormolu and patinated bronze ewers. Both are raised by a square ormolu base with rounded c...
Bronze, 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
Italian 19th Century Renaissance Style Iron, Gilt Iron and Glass Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful Italian 19th century Renaissance st. iron, gilt iron and glass hexagonal lantern. The lantern is centered by most decorative and charming scrolled movements with lovely g...
Iron, Wrought Iron
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
$265Sale 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
Antique French Renaissance Ornate Carved Walnut Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional monumental antique French Renaissance bookcase cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. France, Circa 1900 Ornate carved walnut with female busts, faces, and foli...
Glass, Walnut
19th Century, Large Renaissance Style Oak Mirror Richly Carved
Located in Beaune, FR
Large and beautiful oak mirror carved with Renaissance-style scrolls that can be displayed vertically or horizontally. French work of the 19th century of good quality. Good condition.
Oak
French Turn Of The Century Renaissance St. Wrought Iron Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French Turn of the Century Renaissance st. Wrought Iron chandelier. The eight arm octagonal chandelier consist of a most impressive and detailed mid section displaying won...
Wrought Iron