Renaissance Desk Accessories
RENAISSANCE STYLE
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.
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Style: Renaissance
19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell
Add a touch of classical whimsy to your home or office with our tole figural knight inkwell. Made in later 19th century ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Renaissance Italian Inkwell Calamelli workshop, Faenza, second half of the 16th
By Virgiliotto Calamelli
Located in Milano, IT
Inkwell
Calamelli workshop (attr.).
Faenza, second half of the 16th century
Height 4.33 in; length 8.07 in; depth 2.95 in (11 cm; 20.5 cm; 7.5 cm)
Weight: 0.800 lb (363 g)
State of conservation: some chipping to the top of the mask around the mouth. Handle glued, without any restorations; minor chips in some raised areas.
This object has the shape of a foot wearing Greek-style footwear, as can be seen in some raised areas. The foot is anatomically modeled with bare toes, while the ankle is partially covered by the footwear. On the heel, there is a small circular handle to support the object. The mouth of the container is shaped like a mask. The interior, completely enameled, suggests that the piece was intended to be used as an inkwell or to contain some other liquid. The base, however, is not enamelled.
The painted decoration, scant and brief, consists of rapid cobalt blue shading between the toes of the foot, with more precise emphasis on the nails. It is accompanied by yellow citrine accents to enhance the forms. The mask is painted with the tip of the brush, to accentuate the tense nature of the eyes and to accentuate their outline. Thin strokes of yellow-orange line the interior of the mouth.
Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens.
This artwork finds parallels in similar objects all characterized by this refined style and produced in the city of Faenza and other Italian centers starting from the mid-16th century.
The closest comparable example in majolica is a foot acquired by the British Museum in 2011 (inv. 2011, 8008.1). This was previously published by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti in 1996 and later by Dora Thornton in 2016 during the conference on Renaissance ceramics...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Maiolica
Early 20th Century Polished Brass Renaissance Style Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique ink stand, made of polished brass, completely in Renaissance style, with richly pieced scroll motifs. The inkwell has two removable ink we...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Inkwell, After Michelangelo Laurent De Medici, In Bronze And Red Marble
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
After Michelangelo Laurent de' Medici, spectacular red marble inkwell surmounted by a sculpture and three bronze cups with brown patina. Signed F Barbedienne founder, Collas Paris me...
Category
1880s French Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique bronze Inkwell
Located in Brescia, IT
Lost wax cast bronze inkwell, 16th century
Central oval-shaped vase for ink masterfully decorated by four masks with different physiognomies and expressions.
Supporting the sa...
Category
16th Century Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Extremely Rare Rotterdammer Tile with Two Men in a Boat, Early 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
An extremely rare, so-called, Rotterdammer tile, with the decoration of a sailboat.
Country: The Netherlands
Place: Rotterdam
Date: circa 1615 - 1620
Workshop: Claes Wijtmans
This tile comes from one of the most rare and sought after tile series...
Category
Early 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique Embossed Copper Neoclassical Bach and Haendel Charger Plates, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Embossed Copper Neoclassical Bach and Haendel charger plates - a Pair. Set include (2) chargers, (1) Bach, (1) Haendel. Measurements: 1" Height x 16.5" Diameter.
Category
20th Century English Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper
Wonderful Signed Bronze Sculpture Juan Clara Ayats Onyx Girls Playing with Chair
By Juan Clara
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful signed patina bronze sculpture by Juan Clara Ayats on an onyx base of two girls playing with a chair, Spanish artist (1875-1958).
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
18th Century Venetian Bronze Figural Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze urn-shaped inkwell rests on three winged-horses evoking movement and action. The body of the inkwell is decorated with faces among garlands and the lid is topped by a seated putti holding fruitVenetian patinated bronze figural inkwell...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
'The Rape of the Sabines', Bronze Sculpture after Giambologna
By Giambologna
Located in London, GB
This compelling, small scale bronze sculpture depicts ‘The Rape of the Sabines’, after a monumental work by the Renaissance artist, Giambologna (152...
Category
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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Renaissance desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Renaissance desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Juan Clara. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $429 and tops out at $8,340 while the average work can sell for $3,672.
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