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Renaissance Architectural Elements

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
17th Century Tuscan Renaissance Style Confessional Made of Oak
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Original 17th century renaissance confessional from Vicopisano in Tuscany. Made of solid oak. It is a confessional that can be entered from both sides. In the middle is the place ...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Oak

Antique French Tuileries Orangerie Iron Window or Mirror Frame
Located in Sheffield, MA
An elegant antique Neo-classic Tuilleries Orangerie window frame or wall mirror mirror frame with arched top made of hand crafted cast iron antique fr...
Category

19th Century European Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of French 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered oak Renaissance ornaments that most likely once adorned a half timbered house in Normandy. France, 17th century. Weathered, small losses Measurement here below a...
Category

17th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Oak

Venetian 16th Century Wellhead
Located in Zedelgem, BE
16th century wellhead from Venice, rare find, museum quality that needs a bit of restoration, done by us. The stone it's made out is Italian Pietra Serena.
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Limestone

19th Century Tuscan Renaissance Fragment
Located in San Angelo, TX
This is a beautiful 19th century Tuscan Renaissance fragment. Perfect for placement above your mantle, stove, a bed, or use it to dress up a wall b...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Cast Brass English Chester Imp Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderful solid cast brass door-knocker fashioned as a horned imp or devil. The design is based on one found at the 1000 year old Chester Cathedral in England where the imp in ques...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Double Eagle Cartouche Plaque in Carved Limestone
Located in Dallas, TX
Reminiscent of a late 15th century coat of arms, this double eagle cartouche plaque has been hand-carved in limestone in Italy. A square top shield wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Limestone

Fireback from 1561 with the Alliance Arms of Jacques De Tige and Blanche De Vill
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Fireback from 1561 with the coat of arms of Jacques de Tige, son of Gobert de Tige and Catherine de Serainchamps, and Blanche de Villelongue, daughter of Jean de Villelongue and Clau...
Category

16th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

17th Century English Carved Oak Corbel “the Green Man”
Located in Vero Beach, FL
17th Century English carved oak corbel “The Green Man”. Rare antique decorative architectural ornament of the enigmatic Green Man. Images and carvings ca...
Category

17th Century English Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Oak

Monumental Fireback with the Châtelet Coat of Arms
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This exceptional iron cast fireback of 750 kg, richly decorated, was made at the end of the Renaissance, around 1624. It bears in its center a shield wit...
Category

17th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Stone Capital, 17th Century, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Stone Capital. Very decorative. 17th Century, France. Made with stone. Good vintage condition. The Renaissance is a period in European history marki...
Category

17th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Renaissance Carved French Oak Panel
Located in Denton, TX
Weathered Renaissance carved oak panel, originally from a piece of furniture.
Category

17th Century European Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

15th or 16th Century Marble Gargoyle Fountain Spout from Arezzo, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Although when most people hear the word “gargoyle”, they probably envision small, winged creatures with grotesque visages. However, the phrase has a deeper meaning, encompassing any carved head (animal or human) that function as waterspouts. From the Early Renaissance (late 1400’s/early 1500’s), our gargoyle fountain spout features a human-like face with pointed ears, possibly representing a centaur or a satyr. The roughly rectangular block of marble was hand-carved in Arezzo, in the Tuscany region of Italy. All sides except the front of the cream-colored stone have a sawed finish, resulting in a rough texture. The back has been excavated, adding to the character of the gargoyle. A 1 ½” diameter hole has been cut all the way through, forming an open mouth of the gargoyle. The gaping mouth was often a symbol used to conjure images of devouring giants and used to remind people that they are susceptible to certain forces. Our 15th/16th century marble...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Marble

Antique Renaissance Style Carved Sandstone Corbel or Keystone
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful stone carving of a kings face. Probably English. I have dated it at least, 19th century. It is most likely earlier than this. Difficult to be precise. Free UK shipping
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Sandstone

Antique Wrought Iron Signage Bracket
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique wrought iron bracket is decorated with curls and a spear-like tip. Holes on the side bar can be used to secure to the side of...
Category

19th Century European Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Zinc Architectural Building Element
Located in Sheffield, MA
Neoclassical style building element in the neoclassical taste. Antique French long segment of zinc metal architectural fragment that will make a unique wall decor piece. This piece f...
Category

19th Century European Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Zinc

Very Fine Statuary White Marble Fireplace in the Italian Renaissance Manner
Located in London, GB
A very fine statuary white marble fireplace in the Italian Renaissance manner. The carved jambs featuring classical amphorae surmounted by fruit, acorns, ribbons and foliage topped w...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Marble

Renaissance Style Mantel from the 18th Century of French Limestone
Located in Made, NL
A magnificent antique French limestone fireplace in Renaissance style! This historic mantel (fireplace) dates from the 18th century and exudes a lot of allure due to its robustness a...
Category

18th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Limestone

16th Century French Fireplace Mantel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A monumental 16th century sandstone Renaissance fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and colomn supports. Decorated with flower motives, guirlandes and cirkels. Lov...
Category

16th Century French Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Sandstone

Wrought Iron Grille, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A carved wooden frame serves as a support for the wrought iron grille that has decorated balusters: all have a heart-shaped form in the centre, whi...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Renaissance Grille, Wrought and Gilt Iron, Stone, Spain, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Chapel grille with two fixed leaves at the sides, and double opening leaf in the center, topped with an elaborate crest, all made of wrought and "blued" iron, creating a polychrome preserved in good condition. The bars of the lateral zones, tubular, are decorated with discs of the same diameter. The double door of the center presents bars ballasted to the center flanking a disc and other similar disks up and down; in the lower area, there is a frieze with two opposing "ces" accompanied by simplified plant elements that draw volutes towards the sides; note the small wheels at the bottom of the grid. The crest presents an oval shield with the cross of the Order of Calatrava, enhanced with architectural elements and flanked by vegetal "S-shapped" motifs, accompanied by leaves; to the sides of this central piece appear two columns of ajarronado shaft enhanced with "C-shapped-forms" and "S-shapped-forms" drawn in their shafts. In general terms, there is talk of a division in two stages in terms of Antique grills...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone, Wrought Iron

Italian Neo-Renaissance Walnut Fireplace Mantel, Attributed to Valentino Besarel
Located in Montreal, QC
This extraordinary mantel is superbly carved, firstly with a simple dentil cornice; above a front panel, carved in high-relief with birds, scrolling leaves and tendrils. The jambs ar...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Walnut

Frieze, Polychromed Pine Wood, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular frieze in carved pine wood, gilded and polychrome decorated with figurative reliefs. An architectural piece with garland serves as the axis for the symmetrical compositio...
Category

16th Century European Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Pine

Pair of Italian Renaissance Oak Pedestal Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) carved oak life size pilaster form pedestals of Greek man and woman (torso) on square base with floral carving
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Oak

Spanish 16th Century High Relief Limestone Bust from a Building
Located in Marbella, ES
16th century high relief limestone bust that topped a stone arch. Side heraldic decorations indicate a patron Saint. The face is weathered but the general condition is good.  
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Limestone

Large Stone Italian Fireplace Mantel in the 18th Century Style
Located in London, GB
A fine quality 18th century style Italian fireplace carved in Portland stone. The frieze of isometric design with diamond panelled paterae interspersed with panelled husks, carved wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Carved Italian Renaissance Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A heavily carved Italian stone fireplace. The frieze with heraldic lion juxtaposed by winged figures, birds and foliage, the jambs with putti, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Antique Painted Cartouche
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique architectural salvaged building element with cartouche design is molded cement and glazed and painted orange and green. The b...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Cement

Large 19th Century Italian Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A well carved Renaissance style fireplace in limestone, with a centre keystone to frieze, and deeply carved drops of ribbons and flowers to...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Limestone

Antique Fireplace Black Ardesia, luxury, '600 Italia From Prince of Rapallo
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique Fireplace Made of Ardesia Comes from the house of the prince of Rapallo, IT Rare Renaissance fireplace in richly carved slate; in the center the emblem with the insignia of t...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Precious Stone

17th Century Architectural Monumental Italian Corinthian Columns on Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Over three centuries in age and hailing from Italy, this exquisite pair of Corinthian columns has been handcrafted and conscientiously rendered as pure representations the original a...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Walnut

Very Large 19th Century Carved Stone Renaissance Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A very rare, 19th century carved stone Renaissance fireplace. The bracketed jambs with crouching lions, ionic capitals, carved male and female masks and basket of fruit to plinths. T...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Pair of Small Dutch Brass Andirons, 17th Century
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Busts of a queens on spreading mermaid legs, with turned vases on top.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

16th Century Majolica Tile, Italian Relief of San Francesco Da Paola
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This relief majolica tile in monochromatic colors was not known to exist. It comes from the DOLE collection with the inventory number 943/B on the back. In the course of about 400 years of handling the top has broken off. San Francesco...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Majolica

Renaissance architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Renaissance architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $175,406 while the average work can sell for $6,460.

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