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.
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan embellished with green tourmaline mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. Durin...
Coral, Tourmaline, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to ...
Coral, Quartz, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan and Citrine Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
A lacey black coral sea fan embellished with natural citrine mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet....
Coral, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan embellished with natural quartz mounted on a 19th-Century French Napoleon III bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabi...
Coral, Quartz, Bronze
Jeweled Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch embellished with natural emeralds mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During t...
Coral, Bronze
Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art an...
Coral, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan embellished with green tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to a...
Coral, Rock Crystal, Bronze
Petite Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Petite lacey black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment sitting on an optical calcite base. This is a lovely objet d'art t...
Coral, Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
A lacey black coral sea fan embellished mounted on a 19th-Century French Napoleon III bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. Duri...
Coral, Bronze
Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art an...
Coral, Bronze
Jeweled Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch embellished with natural emeralds and quartz mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet...
Coral, Quartz, Bronze
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of A...
Coral, Bronze
Venice Rising Quartz Muscovite Ammonite Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
One-of-a-kind natural mineral specimen sculpture, entitled "Venice Rising," created from an 18th-century Italian patinated parcel-giltwood candlestick and embellished with quartz, mu...
Quartz
Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture~ Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Black coral sea fan embellished with natural emeralds mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. Dur...
Coral, Bronze
Filippo Gherardi Fish Sculpture on Black Base
Located in Houston, TX
One-of-a-kind wood sculpture created from 18th-century gilt fragments. Filippo Gherardi (b.1983) was born in Livorno, Italy. Driven by his passion for antiques, he studied and pract...
Wood, Giltwood
Filippo Gherardi Fish Sculpture on 18th Century Fragment Base
Located in Houston, TX
One-of-a-kind fish sculpture created from 18th-century gilt fragments. Filippo Gherardi was born in Livorno, Italy. Driven by his passion for antiques, he studied and practiced the...
Wood, Giltwood
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in Dm 11.75 in
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870 A rare and unusual Napoleon III patinated bronze and ormolu crown from France, circa 1870. This distinctive work fea...
Bronze, Ormolu
Red Coral Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture red coral handcrafted sculpture with more than 800 red cabochons hand-placed. With structure and base in solid brass gold-plated 24-karat. Except...
Coral, Gold Plate, Brass
18th Century Neoclassical Bronze Doré Sculpture of Woman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A masterful large classical statue in cast bronze of a beautiful young woman in stride wearing a flowing ionic chiton. The exquisite casting of ...
Bronze
Mounted Sea Shell Sculpture by Joseph Malekan, Coral and Quartz, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful Atlantic trumpet sea shell professionally mounted on genuine coral base, artistically hand embeded with fantastic crystal quartz stones, to make exceptional piece of art fo...
Coral, Rock Crystal
$300Sale Price|39% Off
H 14 in W 11 in D 10 in
Coral Sculpture, Light Green, 1970's, Vintage Medium Size Coral
Located in New York, NY
Decorative coral sculpture. The coral is from the 1970s and has a beautiful light colored green shade. Medium size coral sculpture.
Coral
$7,204Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.18 in W 4.73 in D 13.78 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Jockey on Horse Sculpture
Located in Lisbon, PT
An elegant 19th-century French equestrian sculpture from the Napoleon III period, depicting a jockey mounted on his horse. Crafted in gilt and patinated bronze, this antique tabletop...
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
$3,638
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in D 4.34 in
Bronze Sculpture of a Seated Woman, Stamped by Barbedienne, Napoleon III.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture of a seated woman, stamped by Barbedienne, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Bronze sculpture of a seated woman, 19th century, Napoleon III period, Barbedienne fou...
Bronze
Large Brass Sea Turtle Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large brass sea turtle sculpture / decorative box / catch all. Shell is polished brass and rest of body is in patinated finish. We also have a smaller size in our other listing LU985...
Brass
Antique Sea Shell Sculpture by Joseph Malekan with Coral Base
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Fantastic Atlantic trumpet sea shell professionally mounted on a natural coral base ,artistically hand embedded with amethyst quartz crystal pieces ,Thant make a beautiful art object...
Coral, Crystal
Silas Seandel Sea Grass Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1970's brutalist sea grass metal sculpture designed by Silas Seandel "Signed and dated" in vintage original condition with some wear and patina due ...
Brass, Steel
$2,262
H 13.78 in W 13 in D 7.88 in
Sculpture of Napoleon III in gilt bronze, ormolu of a boy playing a drum France
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Mercury-gilt bronze sculpture, ormolu, Louis XV style, Napoleon III era, France. It features a scene depicting a putto playing a drum, enthroned by a large shell or sca...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,728
H 27.96 in W 5.91 in D 8.67 in
Patinated Bronze Sculpture Depicting Hermes, 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Patinated bronze sculpture depicting Hermes, 20th century, Napoleon III style. 20th-century patinated bronze sculpture in the Napoleon III style depicting Hermes. H: 71 cm, W: 15 cm...
Bronze
Fine Napoleon III Bronze Dore Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully detailed 19th century bronze dore clock with the figure of cupid on the top.
Bronze
$4,500 / set
H 60 in W 36 in D 7 in
Opulent Ocean: Extra-Large Sea Fans on Antique Gilded Bases-60" High
Located in New York, NY
This pair of extra-large mounted sea fans combines the organic elegance of natural marine forms with the opulence of 19th-century design. The intricate...
Wood
Brutalist Brass Driftwood Coral Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Signed C. Branch Brutalist bromeliad sculpture featuring hand cut brass leaves with coral mounted on driftwood.
Coral, Brass
Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art an...
Coral, Bronze
Red Coral Sculpture~ 19th Century Bronze Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch and natural emeralds are mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renais...
Coral, Bronze
Italian Bronze Sculpture Of Mercury/Hermes after Giambologna
By Giambologna
Located in Den Haag, NL
This statue/sculpture represents Mercury or Hermes, in relations to the Roman or Greek denomination of the gods. The original was sculpted by Giambologna in the 19th century. This br...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.25 in W 3.25 in D 1 in L 3.25 in
Jewelled Red Coral Sculpture~ 19th Century White Bronze Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral branch embellished with natural emeralds mounted on a 19th-Century French white bronze fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During ...
Coral, Bronze
Red Coral Sculpture~ Napoleon III Bronze Doré Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Red coral mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art and Curio...
Coral, Bronze
Pair of Seafans Mounted on a 19th Century Italian Gilt and Painted Bases
Located in New York, NY
This is a pair of striking red seafans, elegantly mounted on bases from 19th-century Italy. The bases are exquisitely crafted, featuring ornate gilt detailing and hand-painted finish...
Giltwood, Paint
Mounted Elkhart Coral on Antique Medici Syle Base
Located in New York, NY
Elkhorn Coral: Resting upon a meticulously crafted Antique Medici Style Base, measuring 14.5 inches, this captivating piece seamlessly blends the allure of the ocean with the sophist...
Coral
Pair of Preserved Ostrich Eggs Mounted on Ebonized Wood Candlesticks
Located in Leesburg, VA
A superb pair of mounted ostrich eggs. During the German Renaissance, Kunstkammer or Wonder Cabinet objects transformed ostrich eggs into ornate flasks, urns and decorative works....
Ostrich Eggshell, Wood, Ebony
Pair of Set English Trophy Hunt Horn Epergne Brass Renaissance Soldier
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from England, just arrived in our most recent container, we have several of these fabulous antique ‘hunt horns”, extremely sought after as unique acce...
Brass
Sold
H 16.75 in W 10.5 in D 4 in
19th Century Pair Set English Trophy Hunt Horn Epergne Brass Renaissance Cherub
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from England, just arrived in our most recent container, we have several of these fabulous antique ‘hunt horns”, extremely sought after as unique accessories for a library, den or office!.~ ~History – In 19th century Europe these antique trophies were made to be placed in the bookcase, or atop the mantel or on a desk, as a ‘trophy’ from hunting exploits, rather than the more common practice today of making wall mounts. ~This is a PAIR of horns, with grooved cup brass bases below the shaped flutes with reticulated edge top. FULL figure cherubs with one hand on hip and one outstretched arm that holds the round brass banding for the horn!~ ~Brass bands have crimped edges and BIRD FINIALS to tighten the bands~ ~Horn tops are rimmed with brass caps have lower draped scalloped edges and upper gothic trim~ ~Outstanding curve and colouring to each horn!!~ ~c1890~ Measurements: Approx. 16.75”height x 10.5” span x 4”. Horn is maybe 14”long; base footprint 4” diameter; mouth opening 2.5” x 2”. (THIS LISTING IS FOR THE TROPHY PAIR...
Brass
Italian 19th Century Sea Shell with Carved Relief of Mars
Located in London, GB
This charming carved seashell features a cameo relief of Mars, the god of War in the Roman pantheon. Standing on a chariot pulled by a pair of horses, Mars, who is nude but for his h...
Shell, Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 16.93 in D 7.09 in
Adolfo Cipriani Carved Marble Musical Sculpture of Three Children Singing
Located in Sofia, BG
A fine sculpture made in marble Signed by an Italian master Adolpho Cipriani (Italian, 1880-1930) The figure is a constellation of three young children with angelic faces staring...
Marble
Sold
H 6.5 in W 10.5 in D 3 in
Italian Gilded Wooden Hand Clutching a Red Mediterranean Coral Lightning Staff
Located in New York, NY
Italian gilded wooden hand clutching a red Mediterranean coral lightning staff, early to mid-20th century. Mediterranean red coral has fascinated civiliza...
Coral, Gold Leaf
English Carved Walnut Wall Plaque of Birds and Fruit, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A Wall Plaque of Good Size By Thomas Kendall Of tondo form, constructed in hand carved walnut, the ogee swept frame enclosing a naturalistic carving of avian subjects in vine foli...
Walnut