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.
16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A magnificent Biblical tapestry in wool and silk likely made in the Flemish weaving center of Oudenaarde. With a history of tapestry production dating to 1368, the city created some of the finest tapestries of late Medieval and Renaissance Europe that were widely sought after across the continent. The 16th century...
Wool, Silk
16th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry. 11 ft 4 inx12 ft 10in
Located in New York, NY
16th Century Antique Flemish King Solomon Tapestry, Country Of Origin: Belgium, Circa Date: 16th Century. Size: 11 ft 4 in x 12 ft 10 in (3.45 m x 3.91 m)
Wool, Silk
16th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry. 10 ft 8 inx 11 ft 3in
Located in New York, NY
16th Century Antique Flemish Silk And Wool Biblical Scene Tapestry, Country Of Origin: Belgium, Circa Date: 16th Century. Size: 10 ft 8 in x 11 ft 3 in (3.25 m x 3.43 m)
Wool, Silk
Magnificent 17th-Century Gobelin Tapestry – “Landscape with Peacocks”
Located in Berlin, DE
This exquisite Gobelin tapestry, titled “Landscape with Peacocks,” is a captivating example of late-17th-century European textile artistry. Woven with remarkable finesse, it presents...
Wool
16th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry. 10 ft 2 in x10 ft 9in
Located in New York, NY
16th Century Antique Flemish Silk And Wool Tapestry, Country Of Origin: Belgium, Circa Date: 16th Century. Size: 10 ft 2 in x 10 ft 9 in (3.1 m x 3.28 m)
Wool, Silk
1950's Italian Tapestry Swan in the Lake, Renaissance Style Wall Hanging
Located in Dallas, TX
74749 Vintage Italian Tapestry Swan in the Lake, 03'05 x 05'11. This exquisite vintage Italian jacquard-woven tapestry, titled "Verdure with Pine Tree and Swans," gracefully captures...
Wool
Rugs On Net Antique Green Geometric Holbein Design Ukrainian Wool Rug Carpet
By Hans Holbein
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Hans Holbein Design Ukrainian Pile Carpet ( 6'3" x 9' - 191 x 274 ) Antique Ukrainian Ukraine Knotted Rug, Circa Date: 1890s. This exceptional example of Eastern Europe...
Wool
The Venetian Minuet Reverie: A Rococo Tapestry Masterpiece of Carnival Splendor
By Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Located in Dallas, TX
72967 Vintage French Tapestry Inspired by The Minuet Carnival Scene, 05'07 x 07'01. The Venetian Minuet Reverie: A Rococo Tapestry Masterpiece of Carnival Splendor. An ode to cultivated indulgence, this vintage Venetian tapestry...
Canvas
Zabihi Collection Red Antique Turkish Ghiordes Rug, 5'7'' x 6'11''
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th Century Turkish Ghiordes Intermediate square size rug Details rug no. j3536 size 5' 7" x 6' 11" (170 x 211 cm)
Wool
$9,520Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Persian Malayer Rug with Dutch Renaissance and European Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52452 Antique Persian Malayer rug with Dutch Renaissance and European style. With architectural elements of curved lines and a subdued color scheme, this hand knotted wool antique Pe...
Wool
Flemish Armorial Tapestry, Late 16th Century, Renaissance
Located in Vienna, AT
A Flemish armorial tapestry. Late 16th century, possibly Spanish Woven in wools, depicting the arms of the Abbasid dynasty, combined with those of ...
Cotton
$11,666Sale Price / item|20% Off
Djoharian Collection Polonaise Rug Silk and Wool Antique Persian Isfahan Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Djoharian Collection Polonaise Rug Silk and Wool Antique Persian Isfahan Design A beautiful new and made to order Polonaise carpet, hand knotted using finest Chinese mulberry silk and Tibetan Highland Wool. The design features typical elements of the Persian Safavid...
Wool, Silk
Traditional Floral Brown and Red Hallway Runner Rug - Rosalynn by Joseph Carini
Located in New York, NY
Rosalynn embodies a sophisticated floral and traditional pattern, both contemporary and timelessly classic. This runner hand knotted in wool, designed by Joseph Carini is shown in 3’...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Red Antique Turkish Ghiordes Wide Early 20th Century Runner
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th Century Turkish Ghiordes Wide size floral runner Details rug no. j2824 size 4' 3" x 10' 11" (130 x 333 cm) rug type Ghiordes
Wool
Zabihi Collection Red Antique Turkish Ghiordes Rose Flower Rug
Located in New York, NY
An elegant floral Turkish Ghiordes rug with flower bouquets running through a strawberry red ground and tan border. Measures: 3'10" x 5'4".
Wool
The Historical Pathway: A Vintage Tribal Masterpiece of Mid-Century Elegance
Located in Dallas, TX
53877 Extra-Long Vintage Persian Malayer Rug Runner, 03'02 x 21'00. Antique Persian Malayer rug runners are long, narrow hand-knotted wool rugs prized for their age, intricate design...
Wool
Renaissance Aubusson Savonnerie Style European Hand Knotted Design Rug Djoharian
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Large sized 10 x 13 ft Renaissance Aubusson Savonnerie style European hand knotted Area rug This large hand knotted wool rug sho...
Wool
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Persian Design Pakistani Area Rug with Medieval Renaissance Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74746, vintage Persian design Pakistani Area rug with Medieval Renaissance style. With ornate details adding timeless elegance and a sense of history, this hand knotted wool vintage ...
Wool
Vintage Indian Savonnerie Rug, Timeless Elegance Meets Renaissance Heritage
By Savonnerie
Located in Dallas, TX
78688 Vintage French Savonnerie Style Rug, 09'02 x 12'00. This hand-knotted wool vintage Pakistani Savonnerie style rug is a testament to the fusion of artistic traditions. At its he...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Red Antique Turkish Ghiordes Flower Power Rug
Located in New York, NY
An elegant floral Turkish Ghiordes rug from the 20th century Measures: 3'10" x 6'
Wool
English Renaissance Style Tapestry with Noblemen
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style horizontal tapestry of seated English Lord with standing noblemen and other figures.
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Allover Warm Tan Carpet - c. 1600 Spanish Alcaraz
Located in New York, NY
This rare 17th-century Antique Alcaraz rug from Spain is a compelling testament to early European textile artistry, where Renaissance refinement meets ling...
Wool
Vintage Savonnerie Style Rug. 14 ft 4 in x 17 ft 8 in
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Elegant Large Vintage Classic Renaissance Savonnerie Style Rug, Country of Origin: India, Circa date: Vintage . Size: 14 ft 4 in x 17 ...
Wool
New Transitional Damask Scroll Rug with Soft Earth-Tone Colors
Located in Dallas, TX
80191 New Transitional Damask Rug, 08'00 x 09'09. Emanating modern renaissance syle with incredible detail and texture, this transitional damask rug is a captivating vision of wove...
Wool
The Gilded Parterre: An Antique European Masterpiece of Courtly Elegance
Located in Dallas, TX
77078 Antique European Garden Rug, 10’08 x 10’10. The Gilded Parterre: An Antique European Masterpiece of Courtly Elegance. Woven in an era when refinement shaped every detail of int...
Wool
Flemish Aubusson Tapestry, circa 1850
Located in Berlin, DE
This charming mid-19th-century Flemish tapestry, woven in the celebrated Aubusson manner, captures a romantic pastoral scene rendered in exquisitely balanced colours. At its centre, a young couple engages in gentle conversation amid an idyllic landscape, framed by lush foliage, classical ruins and a sculptural urn that subtly evokes the artistic refinement of the period. The weaver’s mastery is evident in the delicate modelling of the figures, the soft transitions of colour in the sky and hills, and the richly detailed floral accents that enliven the entire composition. The palette is particularly striking: soft blues and sage greens merge gracefully with warm ochres, coral reds and dusty rose tones, creating a harmony that both soothes and captivates the viewer. The tapestry’s border, entwined with flowing ribbons and blossoms, adds a further sense of elegance and frames the narrative with graceful rhythm. Time has imparted its own history to the piece. The upper area shows visible damage, a testament to its age and authenticity, yet the tapestry as a whole retains its enchanting presence and remarkable decorative power. Its colours remain vibrant, and the scene continues to radiate the charm and poetic idealism so characteristic of 19th-century tapestry art. Displayed on a wall or incorporated into an interior of classical taste, this Flemish Aubusson tapestry...
Wool
Nazmiyal Collection 17th Century Flemish Tapestry. 11 ft 8 in x 13 ft 7 in
By Jasper van der Borgh
Located in New York, NY
Antique 17th century Antique Flemish Tapestry, Country Of Origin: Belgium, Circa Date: 17th Century – Size: 11 ft 8 in x 13 ft 7 in (3.5...
Wool, Silk
Luxury Savonnerie Wool Black / Black Area Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Based on an original Asmara painting by Elizabeth Moisan inspired by a 14th century Tuscan villa. Yellow-green leaves and flowers, in shades of garnet, r...
Wool
Luxury Savonnerie Wool Gold / Beige Area Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
A medieval silk brocade with Saffavid and Andalusian influences inspired this saffron ground and amber tonal border. This hand made cut and loop pile rug...
Wool
Luxury Savonnerie Wool Ivory / Ivory Area Rug 7'11"x9'10"
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Based on an original Asmara painting inspired by a Tuscan hillside covered with olive groves, cypresses, wildflowers and goldenrod bushes. This handmade cut and loop pile rug...
Wool
Luxury Savonnerie Wool Ivory / Ivory Area Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Based on an original Asmara painting inspired by a Tuscan Hillside covered with olive groves, cypresses, wildflowers and goldenrod bushes. This handmade cut and loop pile rug...
Wool