Biribissi Many table games were played in the Renaissance home, often after dinner. Men and women, both old and young, enjoyed these forms of sociable play together. They ranged from traditional games – such as backgammon and chess – to new types, which often involved gambling. This was prohibited or regulated by the authorities because of … More Italian Renaissance Games – Gioci
The kitchen (cucina) belonged to the network of service spaces – from pantries to wine cellars – that kept the house supplied with food and drink. Kitchens were rarely located on the same floor as the sala, because of the smells, noise and constant circulation of people. Instead, they were usually in the attics, to … More Cucina – The Renaissance Kitchen
Whether used for business or the display of collections, the study or scrittoio was not a room that was accessible to many visitors. It was a quintessentially male space, an office but also a repository of family memory, where household documents were often written and treasured. Most noblemen, wealthy professionals and merchants would have had a … More The Renaissance Scrittoio
Renaissance houses had many bedrooms, the most important being the camera grande (‘large bedroom’). The camera was smaller and more intimate than the sala and had a fireplace, making it warm in winter. The camera was a room at the heart of family life. Apart from sleeping, the daily routines of washing and dressing took place … More Camera – the Renaissance Bedroom
