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.
Sanguine Academic Study of a Male Arm, 18th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant 18th-century red crayon drawing depicting a muscular male arm grasping a staff, executed with fine hatching, subtle shading, and anatomical precision indicative of academi...
Crayon
Late 17th Century Italian Ink and Wash Drawing of “The Drunken Silenus"
Located in Hudson, NY
This work likely Italian dates from circa 1680-1700. It relates directly to a 16th century engraving of the same subject after a drawing by Giul...
Paper
Collection of Rare Italian Renaissance Drawings 16th Century Studies
Located in Doha, QA
A rare and fascinating group of three drawings, beautifully presented together in modern frames with UV-protective glass and surrounded by high-quality black pasteboard mounts. This ...
Paper
Antique original Camillo Procaccini Image Drawing of Jesus Christ 16th Century
Located in Doha, QA
This is an exceptional original drawing by renowned Italian Renaissance master Camillo Procaccini (signed lower right with initials), born in Parma in 1561 and active mainly in Mila...
Plexiglass, Parchment Paper
17th Century French School Drawing of a Hand in a Silver Gilt Frame
Located in New York, NY
This 17th-century French School drawing of a hand is a masterful work of art, presented in an elegant silver gilt frame. Measuring 20.75 inches by 20.75 inches, the drawing showcases...
Paper
Nicolas de Larmessin Etching, Habit de Tabletier
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Nicolas de Larmessin Etching – Habit de Tabletier. 20th century print. Nicolas de Larmessin (1640-1725) was an enormously creative and productive artist. Nicolas was part of a long ...
Wood, Paper
Nicolas de Larmessin Etching, Habit de Ceinturier
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Nicolas de Larmessin Etching – Habit de Ceinturier. 20th century print. Nicolas de Larmessin (1640-1725) was an enormously creative and productive artist. Nicolas was part of a long...
Wood, Paper
Antique pencil drawing Feet, artist F. Mucke, Austria 1802
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Original antique pencil drawing of a foot from the 19th century. Ask an artist, and he will tell you that the art of drawing hands and feet is ...
Paper
Antique Italian Landscape Drawing in Gilt Frame
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Italian drawing in pen-and-ink and wash pictures a landscape of a stone bridge, archway, trees and people in the Renaissance style. The drawing is set within a two-tone d...
Wood, Paper
Renaissance Style Sanguine & Watercolor Drawing, Signed, Italy, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Renaissance style sanguine drawing with watercolor wash on paper - featuring a half length portrait of a young woman in a peasant type blouse with flora and leaves surrounding her - ...
Paper
Parmigianino Figural Ink Study
By Parmigianino
Located in New York, NY
Lombard School ink figural study of the Three Graces inscribed "Le Parmesan," and "Ecole Lombard." Pen and brown ink. Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, Il Parmigianino (1503-1540.) P...
Paper
Jacquie Jacobs, 'Self Portrait', Scraped Oil Stick Drawing, Canada, C. 1977
Located in Chatham, ON
JACQUIE JACOBS - 'Self Portrait - Introspective' - Fine Mid Century scraped oil stick drawing on paper - completed when the artist studied in Italy (...
Paper, Crayon
$935Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 16.54 in D 0.79 in
1920s Academic Study Drawing of a Male Nude Model by Luigi Lobito, Italy 1927
Located in Berlin, DE
This fantastic 1920s Academic Study Drawing of a Male Nude Model by Luigi Lobito was done in Italy 1927. It is framed. A unique piece which is a great eye-catcher for your antique, ...
Paper
Male Nude Study in Pencil 1940s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nude Study in Pencil, Europe, 1940s. Beautiful and well drawn study with a male nude kneeling. Wonderful atmosphere and very elegant. At the underside of the paper there are also a few other drawings of...
Paper
French Vintage Framed Charcoal Study of a Young Male
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage 20th century charcoal and chalk drawing of a crouched nude male figure in prayer. Beautiful in its monochromatic palette, the work highlights the youthful muscularity,...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,200
H 16 in W 8 in D 0.1 in
Signed Durham Cathedral Antique Drypoint Etching Drawing, 19th Century, England
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare, antique drypoint etching pencil signed by the artist whose name is illegible, circa mid-19th century, England.
Paper
$4,675
H 28.5 in W 22 in D 1 in
Pair of Italian Academic Charcoal Drawings of Male Nude Figures from 1880
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of Italian academic charcoal drawings captures the grace and disciplined form of classical male nudes. One portrays an artist's model, his pose reflective and studied, whil...
Paper, Wood
$4,099 / set
H 29.14 in W 23.04 in D 1.19 in
Four Rare Italian School 19th Century Old Master Sketches Drawings by F Mazzoli
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of four original 19th century Old Master drawings by F Mazzoli Please note the delivery...
Paper
$16,540
H 27.96 in W 31.89 in D 1.97 in
Beautiful 17th Century Red Chalk Drawing of the Medici Lion by Domenico Vacca
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Florentine or Flemish school 17th century study of the Medici Lion by Flaminio Vacca. Measures: Sheet 31.7 x 48.8 cm. (12.5 x 19.2 in.) Frame...
Paper
$2,300
H 24.5 in W 46 in D 1.5 in
18th Century French Aubusson Gouache Cartoon of a Courting Scene in Gilt Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room wall or study with this elegant and colorful 18th-century Aubusson gouache painting. Created in the renowned tapestry-making city of Aubusson, France circa 176...
Giltwood, Paper
$3,650
H 24.5 in W 22.5 in D 1 in
Fine Large Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century French Academic Drawing
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine drawing while unsigned is an excellent example of sketch work done in sanguine as preparatory work for large finished paintings. Created in France during the days of artist...
Wood, Paper
Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender. Signed and numbered 44/95. Nicely framed over canvas.
Glass, Wood, Paper
Fine Early 19th Century Academic Preparatory Drawing
Located in Hudson, NY
This very fine drawing in Sanguine is from the early 19th century. Made as a preparatory sketch concerning composition, musculature and shadow this work is unsigned but we have four ...
Hardwood, Paper
Large Framed Lithograph by Tony Friedlaender
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large framed lithograph by Tony Friedlaender. Signed and numbered 44/95. Nicely framed over canvas.
Glass, Wood, Paper
Sold
H 17.75 in W 21.75 in D 0.5 in
Fine 16th century drawing of the Calling of Matthew by Ambrosius Francken
Located in Leesburg, VA
Fine 16th century drawing of the Calling of Matthew by Ambrosius Francken the Elder Ambrosius Francken the Elder b. 1585; Antwerp, Belgium Pen and brown ink and wash over traces of ...
Paper
Antique European Drawing of a Renaissance Romantic Scene
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
An antique drawing on paper, European, age uncertain. Not examined out of the frame. A fun Renaissance Romantic scene of a happy group by the water with village and windmill in the b...
Glass, Wood, Paper
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H 5.3 in W 3.6 in D 0.2 in
Two Italian Renaissance Sketches of Angels in Adoration by Carlo Urbino
Located in Leesburg, VA
Two 16th century ‘modellini’ of angels in adoration, attributed to Carlo Urbino Carlo Urbino Lombardy, Italy; ca. 1575-85 (angel with head turned left); ca. 1585 (angel with open arms) Black chalk, pen and brown ink heightened with white on blue prepared paper Approximate size: 13.5 x 9.3 cm each Carlo Urbino was a painter from Crema, active during the last half of the 16th century, whose oeuvre and artistic personality have only recently emerged during the last half-century of scholarship. Urbino’s sketches are infused with the influence of Gian Paolo Lomazzo, to whom many of Urbino’s sketches were originally attributed. He is best recognized for his successful role as one of the leading painters of Lombard Mannerism. The present pair of drawings, depicting angels in adoration, are immediately relatable to a series of black-and-white chalk studies on blue paper by Urbino at the at the Ambrosiana in Milan (see Invs. F252, F255, et al). Our pair of sketches conform with what Giuseppe Cirillo described as “modellini:” small sketches...
Paper
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H 20.6 in W 17.1 in D 1 in
Impressive One of a Kind Antique Drawing of Christ Suffering, after F. Ittenbach
Located in Lisse, NL
Great quality and excellent condition antique drawing of Jesus in the original wooden frame. Franz Ittenbach of Germany (1813-1879) was a highly skill...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Sold
H 19 in W 29.25 in D 0.125 in
18th Century '1773' Prospetto Della Nobile E Vaga Piazza Navona Engraving Rome
Located in Dayton, OH
18th century (1773) Prospetto Della Nobile E Vaga Piazza Navona engraving Rome, size: 29" View of Piazza Navona in Rome. Etching and engraving, signed in plate, lower left. A fine impression. At bottom 'Giuseppe Tiburtio Vergelli da Recanati Disegno e misuro', and a key to the plate numbered 1 to 10 and with a dedication to Prince Giovanni Battista Pamphili Aldobrandini by the publisher. A very rare work. Veduta di Piazza Navonaincisa da Tiburzio Vergelli per la tipografia di Matteo Gregorio de Rossi. Acquaforte e bulino, firmata in lastra in basso a sinistra. Magnifica prova, ricca di toni...
Paper
19th Century Italian Old Master Sepia Drawing
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century Italian old master sepia drawing This classical, original Italian old master sepia drawing is masterful draughtsmanship. The figure is of a...
Giltwood, Paper
Red Chalk Drawing of Christ at the Well, Flemish, 16th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Fine red chalk drawing of Jesus at a fountain in front of city scenery. Framed behind glass. Image size: 8.3 x 6.4 cm.
Glass, Paper
Sold
H 23.75 in W 43 in D 0.75 in
Hand-Colored 18th Century Printing of Jacopo De Barbari's Map of Venice
Located in Hudson, NY
This lively and colorfully engraving of Venice is hand water colored. This printing is a late 18th century version newly framed with exposed margins show...
French 19th Century Lithograph of St. Philippe of Rome
By Lewis Garzi
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French lithograph made in the 1800's is of the Patron Saint of Rome, St. Philippe De Nery. The writing below explains the drawing is by Lewis Garzi dwelling in the office of Mr. Croz...