Renaissance Furniture

Beautiful authentic Italian metal and wood portable tabernacle in style of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. A civil and military architect, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger was tr...

As soon as 1540 France's second Renaissance is in the making, intimately linked to the rediscovery of the Antique world. The development of the printing and engraving industry allows the spread of artworks and models in many cities and countries. The Italian influence can be perceived in every artistic field. While the French king entrust the most talented Italian artists with major projects such as Il Rosso or Primaticcio in Fontainebleau, French artists also travel to Italy to form themselves to this new style. In Italy they get acquainted with the work of Leo Battista Alberti the first to theorize perspective (De Pictura, 1435-36) and architecture (De re oedificatoria, 1541). Those two publications would have a revolutionary impact on arts. Furniture is marked by the work of the most famous Italian architects of the time as well as French architects. Indeed Philibert de l'Orme competes with Alberti and by the end of his life publishes several treaties including one devoted to a theory of architecture (1567). Unfortunately he would not live to complete the second volume. In this treaty he expresses his interest for mathematical norms applied to architecture, copied from the Antique. His journeys in Italy allowed him to accumulate the most sophisticated references. Jean Bullant, another architect of great talent also theorizes his practice. He establishes rules characterizing Greco-Roman art staying faithful to Vitruvius. Following this new inspiration the structure of furniture evolves. From then on appear columns, capitals, cornices, friezes and architraves. The ornamentation uses this inspiration as well with egg-and-dart, palm leaf and rose adorning the most beautiful pieces. In Lyon, crossroad where meet merchants from everywhere those new experiments are welcomed. Lyon florishing printing industry allows the spreading of models and treaties essential to the artist's work. Thus the first publication of Vitruvius' De Architectura in France would be printed in Lyon in 1532. Artists from Lyon rediscover and familiarize themselves with the Antique knowledge very early. They adopt those new ideas and use them in their own creations. Lyon cabinet-makers re interpret Antique architecture and Italian Renaissance palaces to give their pieces a pure and harmonious architectural structure. Grooved pilasters are particularly favored. They are topped by capitals of diverse orders always respecting the sequencing with simpler ones for the lower levels and the richest ones on the higher levels. As for the ornamentation, one of the great distinctiveness of Lyon workshops remains the architectural perspective illusions, drawing inspiration from Tuscany. True masterpiece of the Second French Renaissance this important cabinet illustrates Lyon workshops' taste for fine Italian architecture inspired by Antiquity. An architectural perspective of great quality is treated in symmetry on each panel. This two-bodied cabinet without recess stands on four rectangular feet. The base comprises a molding, a palm leaf frieze and is bordered by a braid. The lower body is divided by three grooved pilasters with Tuscan capitals framing two door-leaves. The two panels are encircled by a moudled frame with palm leaves. They are finely carved with a decor of fantasized architecture depicting an Italian Renaissance palace erected symmetrically on each side of a grooved pilaster. On the ground floor a door opens through a stilted arch while the stories are opened with mullioned windows, dormers and occuli. Two large pegged-boss cladded pillars support the entablature enriched by a palm leaf frieze upon which stands an arch whose coffered intrados is centred by a rose. Behind this arch a pyramid appears, standing in front of a second facade with a window topped by a broken curvilinear pediment under a cul-de-four with a shell. The checker flooring gives depth to the low-reliefs creating vanishing points structuring the panels and guiding the eye of the observer. A thin laurel braid highlights the belt of the cabinet where are located two drawers. Their facades are adorned by palm leaves in hoops. The upper body is encircled with palm leaves. The same ternary division as in the lower body appears. However, the pilasters are topped by Ionic capitals with volutes and egg-and-dart. The door-leaves are framed with flowers. On the panels the artist has designed another architectural decor. On the foreground open two arches on top of grooved pilasters with rectangular capitals adorned with palm leaves. The arches are enriched with braids and the coffered intrados bears a decor of roses. The spandrels also bear a flower decor. In the background another arcature hosts a fluted grooved column topped with double basket acanthus capital, characteristic of Corinthian order. The triangular pediment is interrupted by a choux bourguignon. A large cornice crowns the cabinet. It stands on pilasters and forms an entablature comprising a palm leaf frieze and an egg-and-dart, triglyph and palm leaf cornice. The cabinet's sides have also been carefully considered. The lower body's panels are enriched with an arch rising above a broken pediment portico hosting a twisted column. Flowers garnish the spandrels. An architectural facade completes the decor. The upper body's panels present two arches supported by a facade opened with dormers and mullioned windows as well as cartouches (one bears the inscription 1580 dating the cabinet) suggesting the interior of an Italian Renaissance palace, confirmed by the chandeliers. The flooring leads our gaze to a second arch with a broken curvilinear pediment where stands a flower vase. This arch opens onto a perspective of another facade along a road. Inside the cabinet, on the lower body door-leaves appear two designs. On the right door is depicted a Crucifixion. Saint Mary and Saint John flank the Christ on the cross. In the bottom part is inscribed « Dure uiator abis nihil haec spectacula curas / Pendenti cum sis unica cura Deo. / Tota suo moriente dolet natura Magistro. / Nil qui solus eras caussa dolenda doles. ». The signature [Christoff Swartz Monachiensis pinx[it] / Ioa[nnes] Sadeler sculp[it]] tells us it was made by Johan Sadeler I (1550-1600) after Christoph Schwartz (1548-1592). This engraving belongs to an ensemble depicting the Passion of Christ Johan Sadeler executed in 1589 after an altar piece painted by Christoph Schwartz for the private chapel of Renée of Loraine, wife of Duke William V of Bavaria. This altar piece made of nine copper panels has been destroyed during the 19th century. The Crucifixion panel once in the centre of the altar piece is the only one that survived and is today kept in Munich's Alte Pinakothek. On the left door appears Saint Francis receiving the stigmata. The inscription says : « Signastidomine Servum Tuum. Franciscum. Signis Redemptionis Nostrae ». This Renaissance cabinet with an architectural decor appearing as much in the structure faithful to Antique rules...

An extraordinarily rare and visually striking 16th-century Venetian iron treasure coffer, showcasing the height of Renaissance artistry and engineering. Crafted in the early to mid-1...

4 Italian Venetian 2-arm mirrored wall sconces having a shield shaped form with crystal pendants (PRICED EACH) Good condition consistent with age and use

This is a wonderful pair of antique Renaissance Curule or Savonarola Style Chairs with carved loins heads beneath carved scrolls on the arm posts and a carved crest between the posts...

Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror will make a timeless style statement in any room! The generously sized frame is completely carved all around with acanthus fo...

A large and impressive 17th century European cabinet. Made in two parts, both with elaborate carved decoration and burled panels and details. The upper cabinet with heavy overhanging...

A fine and rectangular tapestry woven in tan and rust tones with green. In the center is a forest landscape. Made of wool and silk.

19th Century Continental Renaissance Style Savonarola chair. Handsome antique Continental Renaissance style walnut Savroarola chair, side chair, armchair or throne chair. This beautifully carved Gothic style chair...

Oil on canvas painting "Madonna and Child". Blacklight scan show there has been a touch up covering the baby Jesus's genitals done over the centuries. In the original ornate gold fra...

A very large and impressive vintage pair of Maitland Smith hand painted art panels featuring a French Neoclassical / Renaissance eglomise style mo...

17th C. Italian Ebonized Fruitwood Mirror, 19th C. Mercury Glass Interior Mirror H: 38.5 D: 1.5 W: 35 in.

Beautiful pair of Spanish Renaissance Revival Savonarola chairs, crafted in solid wood and richly carved with scrolling vegetal motifs. The iconic X-frame silhouette, inspired by med...

From the 1700s, this unusual French hunt buffet has expertly carved paneled doors portraying a game bird and a fish. The game bird is hanging from its feet with knotted ribbons, whil...

Superb 19th century Antique French Dark Oak “Hunt Cabinet”, Bookcase, Vitrine or Display Cabinet! Direct from France, and one of several exquisite glass door bookcase/cabinets from...

A marble wall fountain with dolphin pedestal. The Campana shaped body of the basin is supported by the dauphin grotesque pedestal which is placed on a raised square foot. The fountai...

Exceptional neo Renaissance bookcase forming desk. This monumental piece consists in a lower part forming drop-front desk supported by two pillars with drawers. The lateral parts each open with a moulded door. The bookcase occupies the upper part, opening by four windows...

16th Century Italian Renaissance Painted Marble Lacquer Wooden Cabinet (1500s) An extraordinary Italian Renaissance wooden cabinet from the 1500s awaits the discerning collector. Thi...

Fabulous pair of marble top night tables in a french / Italian Renaissance style c1935 with Marquetry and inlay, bronze mounts and (porcelain i...

Rare, small, late-Renaissance, Nuremberg, iron, 'armada box', strongbox or travelling safe with its original, naïve, painted decoration on later sledge feet...

Renaissance Hunting Cranequin, Dated 1589 — With Maker’s Mark in Shield Origin: Southern Germany or Flanders Date: 1589 (engraved) Material: Forged iron, turned hardwood handle Lengt...

Original folding chair with finely carved detailed patterns and mother of pearl inlay. Price includes complimentary curb side delivery to the continental USA.

Elegant Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition with a crest and a rich frame carefully engraved by hand. All assembled with golden crystal elements handmade in the Mu...

Handsome oak library piece that can be used as a desk or Work table. Made of oak having carved gadrooned edges. A stretcher made of iron. Carved on all sides and five drawers ox bow ...

A RARE RENAISSANCE WALNUT CABINET WITH ITS FREESTANDING CARVED COLUMNS ORIGIN : FRANCE, BURGUNDY PERIOD : 16th CENTURY Height : 218 cm Length : 152 cm Depth : 67.5 cm Walnut Thi...

This cassone, remarkable for its sobriety, sits on two clawed lion’s feet and a moulded base. On the façade, there is one large, moulded frame, with two soberly carved medallions inside it. Each medallion has a painted coat of arms at the centre. The two coats of arms are different, suggesting that there was an alliance between two families through marriage. The thick lid has a fluted frieze at the front. On the sides, a wrought iron handle reminds us of the use of this piece, which was intended for storing the property of its owner and allowing them to travel between various residences. The square shaped handles highlight the earliness of this object in the century. The cassone is, along with the bed, a key piece of furniture of the Middle Ages and was still used in the Renaissance Period.

Walnut with verde antico marble inlay, with two wholly carved draped female allegorical figures within arched recesses, and a bas-relief on the central door. Rich and heavily carved...

A late 16th century oil on copper painting by Nicolò Cercignani, an Italian Old Masters artist of the late-Renaissance or Mannerist period, depicting the Raphaelesque transfiguration...

2 Spanish style (20th Century) painted iron 3 tier screens with sunburst and scroll design, one white, one black. (PRICED EACH) Please NOTE one is painted white and the other is pai...

19th century carved walnut bench from France with a newly upholstered seat in linen and finished with welted decoration. The upholstered seat is scalloped and is enclosed in a molded...

Whereas many pieces of furniture during the Italian Renaissance were heavily painted or inlaid with decorative motifs, French examples utilized hand-sculpted elements as the predomin...

An exceptional collection of antique wrought iron door hardware dating from the Renaissance period, circa 16th century. These highly decorative pieces exemplify the artistry and craf...

An exceptionally rare and evocative 16th- century Gothic Italian (Pisa) tournament helmet, forged entirely in wrought iron, weight 2.9 kg and presented together with its original pe...

Beautiful French rustic sofa or bench from the early 20th century. This characterful sofa or bench is a country house piece of furniture in folk art with an unusual straight shape. T...

Spectacular portuguese armchair in carved wood. Late 18th / early 19th century. Solid wooden structure and beautiful carved with lots of details. The original fabric is torn on the s...

Italian Venetian style 6 armed tole chandelier, gilt and polychrome painted sheet and cast metal, the central standard modeled as a draped pedestal on foliate foot, issuing a frond o...

This is a very nice display piece for your desk, office, or library. Replica flintlock pistol has all moving parts in metal, the carved hilt I believe is a composite of some sort bu...

A stunning large antique Italian Raffaellesco majolica wall charger / centerpiece, showcasing exceptionally executed handmade and painted design, dating to the 19th century or earlie...

An elegant Mahogany Writing Table Green Leather by Niagara Furniture which is a perfect fit for use either at home or in the offic...

Precious rectangular Venetian mirror, made in the most rigorous Murano tradition. Finely hand-engraved on all elements, it is antiqued by skilled craftsmen. The mirror is assembled w...

A Very Rare and Important Marble Relief of the ‘Resurrection of Christ’ Attributed to the Master of the Mascoli Altar Marble Venice, Italy Second half of the 15th Century SIZE: ...

English Renaissance-style halberd spear with a wooden shaft and large 34-inch iron blade.

A vintage king size oak tester or four poster bed in the Renaissance style. Hand carved with Adam & Eve carvings in the headboard, figurative sculptures in the bedposts, three carved armorials on the pelmet rail and an armorial tapestry and velvet bedspread...

Gorgeous Italian Florentine style tall chest of six drawers. Gorgeous gold wood with painted red accents. The curved serpentine legs give an old italian renaaissance touch and are ve...

Rich Renaiscance period half-columns in Belgian Saint-Remy Marble for eclectic interior design. These 2 original antique, 16th century period, columns are mounted on a stand and has ...

Christofle French silver flatware has been crafted by master artisans since 1830. The revolutionary style and character of Christofle dinnerware comes from collaborations with ground...

A fine Italian carved limestone and wrought iron wishing well head from the Veneto area. Great decoration for your garden. It may also be used as a planter. The octagonal base diamet...

A lovely and very old antique mirror with applied gilding and polychrome throughout, in the Renaissance style, from the 18th and possibly the 17th century. Most probably Italian but ...

This rare Venetian frame entirely carved in high-relief shows a rich decor of scrolls, garlands, daisy flowers and thistles. At the four corners of the frame are depicted large acant...

From Niagara Furniture a Vintage Irwin Sideboard in excellent condition, with the top having been French polished to give the piece a fresh look. The ...

Italy / 17th century / chest of drawers / oak, bronze / Renaissance A distinguished 17th-century Italian Renaissance chest of drawers...

A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680 We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica c...

Impressive pair of 19th Century Italian three drawer chests or commodes handcrafted in hardwoods on a bow front bombay form paint decorated in a renaissance style with decoupage figu...

19th century Renaissance style chair. Handsome antique Continental Renaissance style or Gothic style walnut Savonarola chair, throne chair, si...

A late 16th century Renaissance richly carved walnut center table France, The Loire Valley area Dimensions: h. 33.46 in., w. 59.45 in., d. 36.22 in. Our remarquable table is a fabu...

Continental Franco/Belgian (17th Century) woven tapestry with military figures titled The Hostage. Antique condition, fading and wear, tears in places

This beautiful carved Renaissance front section was a part of a built in cabinet. The carvings are typical for Bretagne area in France and it can be ...

Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) carved walnut religious wall plaque of the bust of Jesus

PAIR of Italian Venetian (19th Cent) polychromed and gilt kneeling Blackamoor pedestals with fluted column base

A 19th-century Spanish Renaissance-style carved oak desk. It features decorative elements such as the geometric panels carved on the front, characteristic of this period, spiral or S...