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.
The Horizon Book of the Renaissance
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Horizon Book of the Renaissance. Boxed, cloth-covered hardcover book. Published by American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., of New York in 1961. Printed in the United States of Am...
Paper
Dosso Dossi Court Painter in Renaissance Ferrara Art Hardcover Book, 1999
By Dosso Dossi
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
“Dosso Dossi: Court Painter in Renaissance Ferrara” – Art Book, 1999 Exhibition Catalogue A definitive and richly illustrated monograph on Dosso Dossi, the celebrated court painter of Ferrara. Published to accompany the landmark 1999 exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and J. Paul Getty Museum, this volume remains the authoritative reference on the artist’s oeuvre. Authored by leading scholars Peter Humfrey and Mauro Lucco, the book surveys nearly all known works—mythological, allegorical, and religious—highlighting Dossi’s imaginative style and Venetian influences. Notable paintings such as Jupiter Painting...
Paper
Nicolas Poussin, French Book by Pierre Rosenberg, 1994
By Nicolas Poussin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665, French book by Pierre Rosemberg et Louis-Antoine Prat, 1995. This book was published after the fourth centenary of the artist's birth. The volume accompani...
Paper
D. Ioannis Chrysostomi Archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani 1556
Located in Bilzen, BE
D. Ioannis Chrysostomi archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani Enarrationes in divi Pauli epistolas, ad Timotheum II., Titum, Philemonem, & HebræosD.IOANNIS CHRYSOSTOMI ARCHEPISCOPI CONSTA...
Paper
Michelangelo - The Frescoes of the Sistine Chapel
Located in Bradenton, FL
Michelangelo - The Frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Published in 2002 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York. Printed and bound in Italy. 239 pages with ...
Paper
RARE ‘De Conjugio Episcoporum et Diaconorum’ by Johannes Bugenhagen – 1525
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE EDITION hardback copy of De Conjugio Episcoporum et Diaconorum ad uenerandum Doctorem VVolfgangum Reissenbush monasterii Lichtenbergensis Prae ceptorem ...
Leather, Paper
History of Italian Renaissance Art by Frederick Hartt, Hardcover, 1969
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
History of Italian Renaissance Art hardcover – January 1, 1969 by Frederick Hartt (Author), Color and B&W Illustration. History of Itali...
Paper
The Secret Language of the Renaissance by Richard Stemp
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Secret Language of the Renaissance, decoding the hidden symbolism in Italian art, by Richard Stemp. Hardcover book with dustjacket. First edition, published in 2006 by Duncan Bai...
Paper
Venice Hardcover Book by Fulvio Roiter & Stephen Spender 1st Ed. 1979
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Venice by Fulvio Roiter & Stephen Spender. Venice by Stephen Spender and Fulvio Roiter Vintage Hardcover 1st edition 1979 Photography Coffee Table Book. With 182 Photographs in F...
Paper
Drawings of Filippino Lippi and His Circle
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Drawings of Filippino Lippi and his circle. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in conjunction with the exhibition held there from October 28th ...
Paper
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1908 Antique Art Book: The Masterpieces of Andrea Del Sarto Gowans's Art Books
Located in Honolulu, HI
An authentic 1908 antique art pocketbook titled "The Masterpieces of Andrea Del Sarto (1486–1530)," published in London and Glasgow by Gowans & Gray, Ltd. (Gowans's Art Books No. 16)...
Paper
Plainsong Manuscript of the Nicene Creed - 3 Parts for Performance
Located in Ilkley, GB
Three-part plainchant polyphonic manuscript of the Nicene Creed probably originating in Spain in the late 16th or early 17th century. This large format manuscript written on paper wa...
Paper
$50
H 12 in W 9.25 in D 3 in
Provence Style Decorating with French Country Flair Book by Shauna Varvel
Located in New York, NY
Provence Style Decorating with French Country Flair By: Shauna Varvel With Alexandra Black An intimate tour of quintessential Provencal style, featuring chic homes and interior deta...
Paper
$775
H 27 in W 21.38 in D 0.75 in
Map of the Holy Land "Carte de la Syrie et de l'Egypte" by Pierre M. Lapie
Located in Alamo, CA
An early 19th century map of ancient Syria and Egypt entitled "Carte de la Syrie et de l'Egypte anciennes/dressée par M. Lapie, Colonel d'Etat Major, et...
Paper
The Great Book of French Impressionism by Diane Kelder
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The art of the French impressionists great large heavy art table book by Diane Kelder. A survey of works by French artists of the Impressionist movement focuses on Pissarro, Sisley, Manet, Morisot, Monet, Renoir, Cassatt, Degas, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Absolutely gorgeous extra large coffee table book - “The Great Book of French Impressionism...
Paper
$2,548
H 24 in W 11.3 in D 6.1 in
Antique Fine Handcarved Oak Gothic Revival Wall Shrine / Chapel for Statuette
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and good condition, Gothic-art shrine for standing or wall-hanging. This handsome and decorative, Gothic wall shrine is completely hand-crafted out of solid oak and it will look awesome, no matter where you decide to mount or place her. It must have taken its creator quite a few days to first draw this intricate design on paper and then hand carve the entire piece out of solid oak. The Gothic Style elements are deeply handcarved in both doors and they make this shrine highly decorative and an absolute joy to own and look at. This cabinet chapel (or chapel cabinet) comes with its brass lock in perfect working order and also with its original gothic style key. The handgrip is in fact a Gothic trefoil symbol (for the trinity). What also makes this piece extra attractive is the Gothic church window-like frame behind the doors. It is among the finest we have seen to date and on top of that this antique also has a beautiful and rich patina. By the way, the bronze Mary statuette is not included in our price. Finally, thanks to the hook in the back, mounting this antique chapel...
Brass
$150 / item
H 14.1 in W 10.2 in D 1.8 in
Sebastião Salgado's Amazônia: A Photography Book in Hardcover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hardcover Photography book, 14.1 x 10.2 in., 9.21 lb, 528 pages. For six years Sebastião Salgado traveled the Brazilian Amazon and photographed th...
Paper
Vintage Boho “The Art of Florence” Book
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Boho 'The Art of Florence' Book: A timeless journey through Florence's artistic heritage, blending rustic charm and scholarly insight. Perfect for the cultured American home.
Paper
$170
H 10.25 in W 8 in D 1 in
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT THE NATURAL HOUSE First Edition 1954 HORIZON Hardcover Book
Located in San Diego, CA
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT THE NATURAL HOUSE First Edition 1954 HORIZON Hardcover book nice original condition beautiful patina and pictures.
Paper
French Decorative Art 1900-1942 (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
The Société des artistes decorateurs, founded in 1901, was the first professional association of artists, artisans, designers and architects to emerge in France after the abolition o...
Paper
$1,800
H 24.75 in Dm 10.25 in
A 20th Century Architectural Wooden Model of a Renaissance Baptistry / Church
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A finely rendered octagonal sided wooden model of a Renaissance Baptistry or Church of very good proportions & scale, showing distinctive Islamic influences as observed in the ei...
Walnut, Plywood
Sar The Essence of Indian Design Book
Located in New York, NY
An exploration of the timeless beauty of Indian design through 200 classic objects. The Indian subcontinent is an amalgamation of peoples, cultures, languages and philosophies. Th...
Paper
Madonna and Child, Classical 19th Century Painting
Located in Miami, FL
Madonna and child, Classical 19th century painting. This lovely oil painting was purchased in Spain. The artist is unknown. The painting still maintains its original finish and ha...
Jules et André Leleu by Viviane Jutheau
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
High-quality French design and decoration book about the legendary Maison Leleu and designers Jules and André Leleu. The work shows the development of their style from the beginnings...
Linen, Paper
“Angels from the Vatican: The Invisible Made Visible” Hardcover Book 1998
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
“Angels from the Vatican: The Invisible Made Visible” – Illustrated Exhibition Catalogue, 1998. Authored by Allen Duston and Arnold Nesselrath—a noted scholar and curator at the Vati...
Paper
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H 12.8 in W 9.06 in D 3.15 in
Concordantiae Maiores Sacrae Bibliae – 1526 – Froben Printing Company
Located in Bilzen, BE
Concordantiae Maiores Sacrae Bibliae – 1526 – Froben Press – Original Binding Full Title Concordantiae Maiores Sacrae Bibliae, summis vigiliis iam recens et castigatae et locupletat...
Leather, Paper
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H 12.37 in W 9.45 in D 0.79 in
Oliva Atlas Facsimile in Mudejar Leather Binding, Naples c. 1580 Limited Edition
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Magnificent facsimile edition of the Oliva Atlas, attributed to cartographer Juan Riczo and originally produced in Naples around 1580, an outstanding example of Mediterranean Renaiss...
Leather, Paper
Illuminated Manuscripts, the Book before Gutenberg by Giulia Bologna
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Illuminated manuscripts: the book before Gutenberg Giulia Bologna. 1st Edition 1988. Presents more than one thousand years of late Roman, medie...
Paper
Musee D'Orsay Hardcover Book 2000 by Alexandra Bonfante-Warren
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Musee D'Orsay Hardcover Book– November 30, 2000 by Alexandra Bonfante-Warren. Large format hardcover coffee table book. * Publisher : Universe; First Printing edition (November ...
Paper
Italian Walnut and Embossed Leather Lectern
Located in New Windsor, NY
Italian walnut and gold embossed leather lectern. Circa 1970. This wonderful book stand/lectern brings a certain refinement to any room. The angled surface, which would retain a book...
Leather, Walnut
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H 13 in W 5.5 in D 10 in
La Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche in Vaticano, Maps in the Vatican, 3 Vols
By Fra Egnazio Danti
Located in Morristown, NJ
La Galleria delle Carte geografiche in Vaticano / The Gallery of Maps in the Vatican, Mirabilia Italiae / Franco Cosimo Panini, (3) vols. in black silk cloth, slipcase with golden ti...
Linen, Paper
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H 12.6 in W 3.35 in D 3.75 in
Hand Carved Don Quixote and Sancho Panza Sculptures from the Arts & Crafts Era
Located in Lisse, NL
Good quality carved and excellent condition statuettes. Created in the early 1600s by Cervantes of Spain these two famous novel personages have remained popular ever since, and for good reasons. To us they also represent two archetypes of human beings. The smaller, heavier set, calm and not too emotional Sancho is the more earthly of the two. The taller and slim Don Quichote...
Wood
'World Chronicle', 1st Edition, by Schedel & Wolgemut, Nurnberg, 1493
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
'World Chronicle' 1st edition, by Schedel, Nurnberg, 1493 Original woodcut, one page with seven illustrations and Latin text By Hartmann Schedel, originally published: July 12, 1493 Illustrator: Michael...
Paper
P. Ovidii Nasonis Opera, Casti Pub by Ioannem Heruagium Basileae, 1537
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an extremely rare edition hardback copy of P. Ovidii Nasonis Opera, Casti, gata ad fidem ueterum exemplariorum a Ioanne Sichardo, Accesserunt Omniumaeditionibus, qux in bu...
Leather, Paper
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H 8.67 in W 5.91 in D 0.79 in
Dante Alighieri ‘The New Life’ And Boccaccio Selected Novels of Decameron
Located in Sofia, BG
Library of Italian classics Italian library volume of Italian classics. Edited by Giuseppe Rua. With a short essay of narrations and ballads and with four illustrations of the time. ...
Paper
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H 9.45 in W 3.15 in D 6.3 in
'Lives of the Artists' , Four Complete Volumes, Giorgio Vasari, Florence 1568
By Ruffo Giuntini, Giorgio Vasari
Located in Sofia, BG
4 volumes of "Lives of the excellent painters, sculptors and architects" written by Giorgio Vasari Pit. et Archit. Aretino with their portraits et with...
Paper