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.
Schumacher x Johnson Hartig Modern Toile Wallpaper in Pink and Black
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This layered, mystically-inflected toile based on Renaissance drawings feels of-the-moment, thanks to a head-turning scale and a room-enveloping repeat. Since Schumacher was found...
Paper
Schumacher x Johnson Hartig Modern Toile Wallpaper in Yellow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This layered, mystically-inflected toile based on Renaissance drawings feels of-the-moment, thanks to a head-turning scale and a room-enveloping repeat. Since Schumacher was founded in 1889, our family-owned company has been synonymous with style, taste, and innovation. A passion for luxury and an unwavering commitment to beauty are woven into everything we do. Wallcoverings Product details Schumacher collection: Johnson Hartig...
Paper
Schumacher X Johnson Hartig Modern Toile Wallpaper in Black
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This layered, mystically-inflected toile based on Renaissance drawings feels of-the-moment, thanks to a head-turning scale and a room-enveloping repeat. Since Schumacher was founded in 1889, our family-owned company has been synonymous with style, taste, and innovation. A passion for luxury and an unwavering commitment to beauty are woven into everything we do. Wallcoverings Product details Schumacher Collection: Johnson Hartig...
Paper
Cactus Spirit Designer Wallpaper in Contrast 'White and Black'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Give your home a taste of the Southwest with this graphic, oversized cactus repeat! This pattern combines saguaros, aloe, agave, peyote, prickly pear, San Pedros and more, the perfec...
Paint, Paper
Mushroom City Designer Wallpaper in Asteroid 'Cobalt and Black'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This trippy pattern unifies the natural and the manmade by reflecting a cityscape in the fungi’s fluctuating heights. Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please mes...
Paper, Paint
Jungle Dream Designer Wallpaper in Contrast 'Black and White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Get lost in this nocturnal fantasy jungle-scape! Flora and fauna combine to create the ultimate dreamy pattern. Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message u...
Paper, Paint
$243 / item
H 27 in W 180 in D 0.94 in
Forest Designer Wallpaper in Lightning 'White, Yellow and Mid Grey'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make it simple with repeated triangles for a modern feel. Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message us to purchase. Printing: Digital pigment print (min...
Paint, Paper
Astrobots Designer Wallpaper in Charcoal 'Black and White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall-covering with a galactic scene has robots in outer space, rocket ships & more, the perfect wallpaper for your child's room. Printing: Digital pigment print (minimum orde...
Paint, Paper
Cosmic Splash Designer Wallpaper in Galaxy 'Black and White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This incredible textural, cosmic pattern can be as subtle or as bold as you like! Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message us to purchase. Printing: Digi...
Paint, Paper
$238 / set
H 0.94 in W 180 in D 27 in
Herbario Designer Wallpaper in Canary 'Multicolor Yellows on White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Founder of Ivana Helsinki, Paola Suhonen pressed flowers in a book, creating Herbario years later. Aimée worked with these elements to create a myriad o...
Paper
Piña Sola Designer Wallpaper in Rosa 'Peachy-Pink and White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There's no better way to say welcome than with our pineapple wallpaper! Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message us to...
Paint, Paper
$238 / item
H 27 in W 180 in D 0.94 in
Cactus Spirit Designer Wallpaper in Splendid 'Salmon Pink and Blush'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Give your home a taste of the Southwest with this graphic, oversized cactus repeat! This pattern combines saguaros, aloe, agave, peyote, prickly pear, San Pedros and more, the perfec...
Paint, Paper
Mystic Lagoon Designer Wallpaper in Summer 'Yellow on Soft White'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Diverse sea creatures from the Loch Ness traverse a mysterious lagoon, popping out against the rippling water. Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message us...
Paper
$1,620 / set
H 3 in W 10 in D 14 in
Frank Lloyd Wright Schumacher Wallcoverings & Woven Catalogue Reference Set 1986
By Schumacher, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Frank Lloyd Wright interior design book set, published by Schumacher, "Wovens", "Wallcoverings." Measures: Books 12" H x 9" W x 1.5" D, box 12.5" H x 9.25" W x 4.75" D. These two vol...
Paper
Anemone Designer Wallpaper in Jasmine 'White and Soft Pink'
By Aimee Wilder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fun, textural pattern inspired by the white-spotted rose anemone. Samples are available for $18 including US shipping, please message us to purchase. Printing: Digital pigment pr...
Clay