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 19th Century Renaissance St. Porcelain and Ormolu Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and extremely decorative French 19th century Renaissance st. Pâte sur Pâte celadon colored porcelain and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by a beautiful finely detailed ci...
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
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Marble and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely decorative and handsome true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. marble and ormolu lamps signed "F. Barbedienne Paris & F. Levillain". Raised on a mottled Rouge ...
Ormolu
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
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
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
Altarpiece Reliquary with Oil on Table, Rosewood, Luis De Morales, 16th Century
By Luis de Morales
Located in Madrid, ES
LUIS DE MORALES (Spain, 1512-1586). The Virgin with a book, the Sleeping Child and Saint John. Oil on panel. Altarpiece with relics may be related to The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Published: Mateo Gómez, Isabel. Revista de Estudios Extremeños, 2018, Tomo LXXIV, Nº. II, pp. 1115-1128. Table with the Virgin of a little more than half body, sitting on a bench and leaning on a table, reading with the sleeping child on her lap; on the right, a Saint John appears from behind the bench and puts a finger to his mouth asking for silence so as not to disturb Jesus' sleep. The oil is framed by a reliquary altar in ebony wood: flanked by two fluted columns with Corinthian capital and based, located on a base with the relics (read their signs from left to right, they host those of San Silvestre, San Felipe Apóstol, San Felipe Neri, San Antonio Abad, Santa María Magdalena, Santo Sepulcro de Nuestro Señor and Santa Clara) on canvas and framed by ovals with silver rings; the upper end is decorated, in the frieze and top of the tympanum, with silver ovals with colored agates, and topped by pinnacles with bronze balls. Isabel Mateo has analyzed both elements: the table was painted by Luis de Morales, nicknamed "the Divine" (Badajoz, h. 1510-1586), and places it in the last stage of the painter, created for private devotion. In his analysis he highlights the similarities with other works of the painter: "Virgin with the Child and the Holy Juanes" of the parish church of Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) dated between 1550-1560; the “Virgins with hats” from the Abelló Collection and the Prado Museum in Madrid; etc. Furthermore, he refers to the flamenco iconographic influences and Rafael's models in Morales' work, among others. As for the reliquary, added later to the completion of the painting, it relates it to El Escorial and Felipe II...
Silver, Other
19th Century Italian Renaissance Gilt Bronze Lions on Marble Plinths
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Renaissance (19th century) small gilt bronze lions on a pale green rectangular marble plinths.
Marble, Bronze
Amazing Italian Bowl Made of Agate and Gilded Silver with Stones 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Italian Bowl Made of Agate and Gilded Silver With Stones 19th century Neo-Renaissance agate bowl with acanthus leaf rim rests on four legs depicting winged chimeras. Moun...
Stone, Agate, Silver
French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Silvered Bronze tray/centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Silvered Bronze tray/centerpiece. This wonderful rectangular shaped "vide poche" tray is raised by four ...
Silver Plate, Ormolu
Dutch 18th Century Oak Kussenkast Armoire, Hand-Crafted Renaissance
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary Dutch wardrobe that dates to the 18th Century. This substantial armoire is handcrafted from solid oak. Some panels have been made with a “tigering” technique to crea...
Iron
Very Fine Statuary White Marble Fireplace in the Italian Renaissance Manner
Located in London, GB
A very fine statuary white marble fireplace in the Italian Renaissance manner. The carved jambs featuring classical amphorae surmounted by fruit, acorns, ribbons and foliage topped w...
Marble
pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Bronze and Ormolu candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabras. Each striking four arm candelabra is raised on an X-shaped Ormolu ba...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century English Brass Hammered Umbrella Stand, Oval Design
Located in Queens, NY
English-style (19/20th Century) brass hammered oval umbrella stand with 17th Century scene with figures and handles (with liner)
Brass
French 19th century Renaissance st patinated Bronze and black Belgian marble urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most decorative pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze and black Belgian marble urns. Each urn is raised on an octagonal black Belgian marble ba...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
$2,970Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Neo-Gothic Ceremonial Armchairs, Solid Walnut, Period: 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Superb pair of Neo-Gothic ceremonial armchairs in solid walnut, entirely airbrushed, giving them a very airy appearance although their structure remains very much framed by the straight lines of the legs, seat and back. They both have a very elaborate backrest revealing in their centre a different crest with the coat of arms of two distinct cities. The first appears to be the "Berlin Bear...
Walnut
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronze and Ormolu Candelabra Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and ormolu candelabra lamps. Each six arm lamp is raised by handsome paw f...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Verdigris Bronze, Ormolu and Glass Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and extremely decorative French mid 19th century Renaissance st. Verdigris patinated bronze, ormolu and glass lantern. The circular lantern is centered by a beautiful ormolu finial below striking scrolled movements adorned with large acanthus leaves. At the center are four windows each with three glass panes, the central pane displaying an impressive and rich green color. One window opens via a fine ormolu knob, on its original hinges. Each window is separated by an ormolu band with a lovely twisted ribbon design and a pierced arch design above. The wonderful Verdigris top dome displays four large dolphins...
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 St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte marble, patinated bronze, and ormolu garniture clock set. The clock at the center is raised by hand...
Marble, Bronze, 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
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and extremely decorative pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. ormolu and silvered bronze lamps. Each lamp is raised by four fine circular mottled feet below handsom...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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