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.
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
French 16th Century early Baroque Oak Barrel-Back Seat
Located in Troy, NY
Tall, unusual and conceptual chair of half-round paneled form, The seat can be lifted on hinges forming a misericord supported by a fluted console. A a...
Oak
Later 16th to Early 17th Century Italian Renaissance Walnut Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of Italian Renaissance walnut chairs. Pozzetto, Ref & quot;Volpi Collection- Art Treasures of the Davanzati & quot; These chai...
Walnut
$894Sale Price|20% Off
French Renaissance Revival Oak Carved Corner Armchair, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Renaissance Revival corner armchair. Striking French design from the 1890s. Solid oak frame with original hand-carved decorative elements. Original hand-carved f...
Fabric, Oak
Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face. Ite...
Mahogany
$1,764 / set
Pair of Carved Wooden Corner Armchairs
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant pair of antique corner armchairs in finely carved solid wood, dating from the late 19th century and inspired by the Renaissance / Neo-Renaissance style. These chairs showcas...
Leather, Wood
$10,588Sale Price|53% Off
H 51.97 in W 28.35 in D 37.01 in
Grand German Late 17th Century Baroque Walnut Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine tall German late 17th century Baroque walnut throne armchair with a rectangular arched padded back and seat covered in 17th century Gobelin depicting ‘Susanna and the Elders’ wi...
Tapestry, Walnut
$1,876
H 33.08 in W 21.07 in D 16.54 in
Antique Dutch Armchair Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Rustic
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Oak
$2,723 / item
H 31.11 in W 26.375 in D 25 in
Teak Wood Armchair with Curved Seat and Back – Velo Collection
Located in Miami, FL
The Velo armchair by Uultis embodies sculptural simplicity, crafted entirely from sustainably sourced teak veneer. Defined by its dynamic silhouette, the Velo features an organically...
Teak
Mid-18th Century Mahogany Corner Chair
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A large example of a mid 18th century mahogany corner chair with vase shaped back splat, good cpouor and patination.
$5,395
H 31.11 in W 33.86 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Tricoteuse Corner Chair, France, 1960s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare Guillerme et Chambron Tricoteuse lounge chair, oak, fabric, France, 1960s. Edition Votre Maison. Newly reupholstered in Rose Uniacke textured linen. Wood frame in very good...
Oak
Louis XV Style Walnut and Caned French Provincial Bergere
Located in Montreal, QC
This shapely corner armchair has unusually positioned legs. The curving arms ,legs and caned sides and seat all contribute a sense of lightness , the carving is excellent.
Cane, Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
Pair of Vintage Scandinavian Tufted Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Timeless and inviting, this pair of vintage Scandinavian armchairs embodies the clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and exceptional craftsmanship that define Nordic design. Featurin...
Fabric
American Georgian Walnut Upholstered Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American Georgian walnut corner chair with carved splat backs, carved decorative molded edge, scrolled arms, turned ringed columns, carved corner fret...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,900
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 22.45 in
Adolf Loos Corner Chair, F.O. Schmidt, Oak Wood Leather, Jugendstil, 1898-1900
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A corner armchair designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) and manufactured by Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, Austria, circa 1900. The condition of the wood is very good. The leather seat...
Leather, Wood
$2,111
H 33.47 in W 22.25 in D 20.08 in
Antique Dutch Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Knitting Armchair
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Wood
$2,025Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
18th Century Chippendale Corner Chair with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding 18th century Chippendale walnut corner chair features intricate marquetry inlay in a delicate floral motif. Even the back of the top rail, splats and the back of the...
Walnut
Antique corner armchair, Western Europe, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique cormer armchair from around 1900. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat is covered with new natural leather. Dimensions: height ...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 26 in D 27 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Baroque Pheonix Cherub Corner Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Italian Renaissance corner armchair featuring serpentine form with reticulated high relief design of a figural cherub head, Pheonix birds and acanthus leaves. Dimensions: 27...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique French Renaissance Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century 1920's Circa lady antique French Renaissance single chair. Featuring fluted legs and fine wood carving design with low back, t...
Upholstery, Wood
1890s Era Antique Figural Italian Carved Corner Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Antique Italian carved corner chair with a needlepoint upholstered seat. There is a small chip visible in the photo which we will have professionally repaired.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 26.75 in D 26 in
Rare Pair of Antique Scottish Carved Walnut Renaissance Style Corner Chairs
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare and fine pair of antique Scottish hand-carved walnut Renaissance style corner chairs. Please note exceptional bas relief hand-carved motifs, in ...
Walnut
Oscar Bach Style Iron Barrel Back Chair
Located in New Windsor, NY
Wonderful accent chair, circa 1970-1980. Scroll decorated and patinated iron frame. Very good condition.
Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Renaissance Carved Walnut Corner Chairs
Located in Hixson, TN
19th Century French Renaissance Carved Walnut Corner Chairs
19th c. Pair Antique Italian Renaissance Corner Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Sculpted from fine Italian walnut to be decorative as well as functional.