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.
$112Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Limed Oak Dish or Plate, English, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely limed oak plate or dish. English 1920s. The piece has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the oak.
Oak
Vintage Medieval Knights Metal Dish Plate Ashtray by FIA Lyon France
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a decorative plate vintage medieval knights metal dish plate ashtray FIA Lyon France. Stainless steel. Stamped by maker. Dimensions: 1.13" H x 5.13" in diame...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$128Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Limed Oak Tazza. English, Circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely limed oak tazza English 1920s. The piece has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the oak. Free UK shipping
Oak
$1,949Sale Price|25% Off
Large Ormolu-Mounted Cut Crystal Dish in Renaissance Taste
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century cut crystal and gilt bronze dish in Renaissance taste. The circular cup is decorated with cut-diamond patterns. It is set on a baluster-shaped stem that is embellished...
Crystal, Bronze
Haviland Limoges France Decorative Plate La Chasse a La Licorne 1979 Limited Ed.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Robert Haviland & C. Parlon Limoges France Decorative Plate 1979 Limited Ed # 3. Limited Edition collectible plate "The Lady and the Unicorn" by Robert Haviland & Co and Limoges France. Haviland Limoges France Limited Edition Porcelain Collector Plate "La Dame a La Licorne". La Chasse a La Licorne Limoges Haviland C. Parlon Collectible Plate. 1970s French Limoges limited edition and 22-karat gold collectors plate by Haviland & Parlon. This coveted and rare collector plate display a scene from the famous late fifteenth century Renaissance Paris tapestries of unicorn hunting scene ," La Chasse A La Licorne". The plate is hand painted with an incredible amount of detail, bright and bold colors with a 22-karat gold rim. Made of porcelain with a glossy finish, this round plate features a stunning multicolor fairy tale design with a unicorn theme. The plate is handmade and painted, and is part of the Limoge product line. This vintage Haviland Limoges La Chasse a la Licorne Unicorn Plate...
Porcelain
19th C. Renaissance Gilt Bronze Sculptural Tazza Signed E. Cana 1845-1895 French
By Louis Emile Cana
Located in Germantown, MD
A very richly decorated 19th Century renaissance style gilt bronze and marble Tazza by French artist Louis Emile Cana. Top dish decorated with multiple embossed wild life birds and a...
Marble, Bronze
$1,476
Bronze Pot, 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Flemish Renaissance bronze pot from the 16th century. Superb patina and in very good condition.
Bronze
"Temperance" Ewer and Its Basin in Silver Bronze, After François Briot, Xixth Ce
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
ewer and its basin called "Temperance", in silver-plated bronze, in the style of the Renaissance, after the model of François Briot, preserved in the Louvre Museum. The egg-shaped...
Bronze
Brass Offering Dish With Gothic Inscriptions Nuremberg Circa 1600
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb offering dish in brass from the end of the 16th century/early 17th century circa 1600 from Nuremberg-Germany Very beautiful large offering dish with a rose sculpture in its ce...
Brass
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
Lalique French Crystal Jewelry Dish or Ashtray Leaf Design
By Lalique, René Lalique
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, signed, Lalique crystal dish with decorative leaf and indent design around edge, circa 20th century, France. Piece is from French luxury crystal maker Lalique. Made...
Crystal
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Footed Fruit Bowl by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning hand cut lead crystal low bowl created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech Republic has been selling han...
Crystal
$440
H 2 in W 9 in D 6.5 in
Limoges France "Maxim's des Mers" for Pierre Cardin Vide-Poche/ Ashtray Bowl
By Limoges
Located in North Miami, FL
Maxim’s des Mers ashtray for the luxury yacht owned by Pierre Cardin, made of porcelain, depicting his yacht.
Porcelain
$342
H 4.72 in W 25.98 in D 7.08 in
Val Saint Lambert Vintage Stretch Fruit Dish or Flower Bowl in Clear Crystal
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage Val Saint Lambert stretch fruit dish or bowl in clear crystal. The item can be used as a table centerpiece or on a mantelpiece. It has two large s...
Crystal
Swedish Porphyry Tazza, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The turned base and stem with shallow bowl top. Shows signs of expert repair.
Vintage French Scallop Shell Ceramic Dish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capturing the timeless elegance of French seaside living, this vintage ceramic dish is artfully modeled in the sculptural form of a scallop shell. The piece features detailed ridging...
Ceramic
$221Sale Price|33% Off
H 1.15 in Dm 8.07 in
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Dish or Plate in Bamboo & Basket Pattern, circa 1817
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative dish or plate by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the Bamboo and Basket pattern, dating to the early 19th century, Georgian period, circa 1813-1820. The plate or dish is fairly deep and circular in shape with a notched rim. It is decorated in one of Mason's boldly colored chinoiserie...
Ironstone
$2,658
H 2.17 in W 6.07 in D 6.11 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large & heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$2,650
H 8 in W 17 in D 6 in
Dore Bronze Crystal Oval Bowl Centerpiece Ormolu Bows Filigree Swag Paw Feet
Located in Roslyn, NY
Doré bronze crystal oval bowl centerpiece ormolu bows filigree swag paw feet Measures: 17" L x 6" W x 8" H.
Crystal, Bronze
Haviland Limoges France Imperatrice Eugenie Vase
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Haviland Limoges France vase in Imperatrice Eugenie pattern is made on one of the discontinued blanks and is probably one of the first vases decor...
Porcelain, Ceramic
$204Sale Price|37% Off
H 1.13 in Dm 6.67 in
Georgian Davenport Saucer Dish or Plate Ironstone in Pattern 659, circa 1815
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good early hand painted ironstone (stone china) saucer dish or plate, made by William Davenport and Co., Longport, Staffordshire Potteries, England, George 111rd period, ci...
Ironstone
SECOND HALF OF THE 16th CENTURY POLYCHROME MAIOLICA PLATE
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid plate in polychrome glazed majolica in yellow, blue, green and manganese. The plate has a wavy rim which gives it the name "crespina", and in the center it is adorned with t...
Maiolica
16th Century Italian Maiolica Faience Dish with a Young Man Portrait
Located in Milano, MI
Mid-16th Century Italian Maiolica Dish hand-painted in blue and ocher yellow color with a profile young man portrait in the center. The maiolica col...
Maiolica
Large 19th Century Italian Majolica Charger
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th century Italian Majolica charger in the Renaissance style. Charger has faces, dragons, and angels on wide cobalt border. Center of ...
Majolica
Bronze Apothecary Mortar with Its Pestle, 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Bronze Apothecary mortar with its pestle -17° century.
Bronze
Antique Italian Cantagalli Majolica Polychrome Plaque Plate
By Cantagalli
Located in Bradenton, FL
This is a very rare Cantagalli Italian tin glazed earthenware plate/plaque in beautiful hand painted polychrome colors. It is a scene of a little boy or cherub playing on a drum. It ...
Porcelain
Large Italian Majolica Charger, circa 18th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
A large charger with a complex scene in polychrome glazes. Hand decorated glazed earthenware, 17.5" in diameter. This style of pottery decoration, originating about 1500 in Faenza, Italy, and popular throughout the 16th century, in which paintings comparable in seriousness to Italian Renaissance easel paintings were applied to majolica ware...
Pottery
Rare Dutch Majolica Dish with Star Design, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
A rare Dutch Majolica plate with a star design. Northern Netherlands. Made 1620 - 1640 Dutch majolica is one of the more rare ceramics known, espec...
Ceramic, Majolica
Rare Dutch Majolica Plate with Star Design, Second Half 16th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
A rare Dutch Majolica plate with a star design. Northern Netherlands, probably made in the city of Haarlem. Made 1560 - 1580 Dutch majolica is one ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Rare Dutch Majolica Dish with Tulip, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
A rare Dutch Majolica dish with a decoration of a tulip. Northern Netherlands, probably made in the city of Haarlem or Hoorn. Made 1620 - 1640 Dutc...
Ceramic, Majolica
Important Pair of Decorative Plates, 17th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important pair of decorative plates, 17th century, Venice, Grand Decoration. Measures: D: 60 cm, D: 5 cm.
Faience
Sold
H 17 in W 7.5 in D 13.5 in
Arthur Chaumette Antique Pewter Charger Figural High Relief Athena Renaissance
Located in Dayton, OH
Pewter plate by Arthur Chaumette (Paris, France), circa 1890s. Featuring a detailed Renaissance scene of a Roman forum with Cupid flying above Athena and other figures. Stamped on re...
Iron, Pewter
19th Century French Gien Renaissance Ceramic Bowl or Decorative Dish
By Gien
Located in Sofia, BG
Authentic ceramic hand printed decorative dish or bowl in dark blue signed by Gien. Very good condition and very vivid colours. There are more Gien models available. France, circ...
Ceramic