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.
Extra Large and Museum Quality Gothic Art Bracket Shelf Corbel w Angel Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazingly hand carved church wall bracket with a winged angel sculpture. This stunning and all handcrafted, Gothic Revival wall bracket has the mo...
Oak
pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Verdigris Bronze wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and high quality pair French 19th century Renaissance st. Verdigris Bronze wall brackets. This stunning pair of unique brackets showcases an elegant reeded designed...
Bronze
Antique Wrought Iron Signage Bracket
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique wrought iron bracket is decorated with curls and a spear-like tip. Holes on the side bar can be used to secure to the side of...
Wrought Iron
Fine Pair of Large 19th C Italian Carved and Gilt Wall Brackets with a Cherub
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of 19th century Italian giltwood carved cherub wall brackets. Hand carved with a large cherub holding up the top shelf. Elaborately ca...
Giltwood
19th Century English Ceramic Bird Wall Bracket Shelves, Pair
Located in Darien, CT
A rare and striking pair of English faux bois ceramic wall brackets dating to the late 19th century, each centered by a finely modeled parrot perched within a sculptural branch form....
Ceramic
Pair of Art Nouveau Cast Iron, Gilded Shelf Brackets
Located in Toronto, CA
This is an exquisite pair of large Art Nouveau, cast iron, gilded shelf brackets from the early part of the twentieth century, most probably French. These fabulous shelf brackets e...
Iron
$690Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.74 in W 12.01 in D 12.21 in
19th Century Anglo-Indian / Burmese Wall Bracket / Shelf
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
An extremely rare intricately carved 19th-century Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. This exquisite piece is beautifully made . Intricately carved throughout with breathtaking d...
Hardwood
Victorian Over Door Architectural Element
Located in Hanover, MA
Victorian over-door architectural element in distressed old paint. Wired on verso for hanging on a wall or simply place on top of a tallboy. From a Beacon Hill, Boston townhouse.
Wood
$795
H 10.4 in W 10.4 in D 5.2 in
Pair of Italian Distressed White Gold Giltwood Brackets Corbels Shelves c. 1950
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of vintage Italian Neoclassical style gilt wood wall brackets or corbels with a lovely patina, circa 1950. These stylish brackets have a lovely aged white and gilt fl...
Giltwood, Paint
$821Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.95 in W 12.41 in D 8.86 in
19th Century Anglo-Indian / Burmese Wall Bracket / Shelf
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. Circa 1880s An extremely rare intricately carved 19th-century Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. This exquisite piece is beautifully made . ...
Teak
Pair Of Italian Carved And Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Italian carved and giltwood wall brackets. Beautifully carved with acanthus leaves and scrollwork. Nice wide shelf atop a base that cumulates into a pineapple-like shape at b...
Giltwood
$1,195 / set
H 16 in W 14.5 in D 15 in
Antique Salvaged Carved Wooden Architectural Wall Brackets, Corbels or Shelves
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This matched pair of antique hand-carved walnut wall brackets were salvaged from an early Victorian house in Montreal, Canada. The brackets are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada in approximately 1850 in the period Victorian style. The brackets are solid walnut in their composition and have ornate decorative carvings. These wall corbels...
Walnut
French Art Deco Wrought Iron Grilles
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very heavy and well-made pair of hinged wrought iron grilles or gates, painted red, with orange colored primer paint visible beneath in small areas...
$425
H 14.9 in W 12.75 in D 6.75 in
Large Italian Louis XVI Style Architectural Gilt Wall Shelf Bracket
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Gold Leaf Wall Shelf. This vintage large bracket could certainly stand alone on a wall or functional to hold a treasure on top. Wonderful classic addition to any liv...
Gold Leaf
Large Italian Florentine Architectural Gilt Wall Shelf Bracket
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Gold Leaf Wall Shelf. This bracket could certainly stand alone on a wall or functional to hold a treasure on top. Wonderful classic addition to any living room, dini...
Gold Leaf
Adams Shelf Brackets, Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Steel
Sold
H 26 in W 43.7 in D 2.5 in
Practical Antique Renaissance Revival Quality Carved Oak Wall Shelf Bracket
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful handcrafted wall coat rack with original bronze hooks. This late 19th century coat-rack is a handcrafted work of art and it is in excellent condition. This good size antiq...
Oak
Sold
H 26 in W 43.7 in D 2.5 in
Large Antique Renaissance Revival Quality Oak and Cast Bronze Wall Coat Rack
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful handcrafted wall coat rack with original bronze hooks. This late 19th century coat-rack is a handcrafted work of art and it is in excellent condition. This good size antiq...
Bronze
Sold
H 20.08 in W 11.82 in D 9.06 in
Italian 19th Century Hand Carved and Lacquer Wood Wall Brackets with Lion Heads
Located in Firenze, IT
These pair of unusual and large late 19th century Renaissance style wall brackets from Florence, Italy have a unique sculptural quality hand carved and hand painted to perfection with gorgeous shape and an intricate design. Anyone who has ever been to Florence will remember the wonderful sculptures in the most important squares and noble palaces of the city and also the hand carved, historical decorations on some of the antique doors...
Wood
Renaissance-Style Wall Nook, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Symmetrically designed wall nook with a rich carved décor in the shape of scrolls, shells and winged angels. Pilasters with Corinthian capitals flank the semi-circular nook.
Wood
Old World Charming Pair of Giltwood Brackets
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Two beautiful ornately carved giltwood wall brackets of substantial size.
Giltwood
Sold
H 23.5 in W 45.5 in D 4 in
Large Antique and Quality Carved Wooden & Cast Bronze Wall Coat Rack with Shelf
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful handcrafted wall coat rack with original bronze hooks. This 19th century coat-rack is a handcrafted work of art and it is in excellent condition, This good sized antique...
Bronze
Pair of Italian Carved Walnut Wall Brackets with Mermen and Shells
Located in London, GB
Fine pair of Italian wall brackets of good size. Carved in solid walnut, in the Renaissance style, with mermen, sinuously integrated with swirling volutes, holding aloft shells; p...
Walnut
A Pair of French Renaissance Walnut Supports from the 19th Century
Located in Hixson, TN
A very nice pair of 19th Century furniture supports. This pair has elaborate carvings with a touch of gold highlights and scrolled on both ends. These are in the Style of French Renaissance. This pair could be used as very nice and large corbels...
Walnut
Carved Antique Renaissance Panel from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French architectural panel has French Renaissance style ornamentation. Overdoors were most often found in boiseries or wooden...