Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
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.
Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Oak
17th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
1830s Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Walnut
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
16th Century European Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
20th Century French Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
20th Century French Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
17th Century European Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Metal, Iron
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
1960s French Vintage Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
1960s French Vintage Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
2010s Belgian Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Stone, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Kingwood, Glass
Early 1700s French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Iron
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Chestnut
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
1920s Swiss Vintage Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
1830s Austrian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Fir
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Early 20th Century North American Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Mirror, Walnut
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Wrought Iron
1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut