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.
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
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
Antique Renaissance Corner Armchairs, Carved Wood & Green Leather
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
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
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
$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
$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
$706
H 25.99 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Antique Rural Dutch Carved Corner Bobbin Chair with New Rush Nr2
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very charming oak Bobbin chair that fits perfect in a corner. The rush of the seat is new and therefore it is still a bit green but that will soon fade. This chair was made in the ...
Rush, Oak
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.
Spanish Carved Walnut Armchair, Late 17th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Spanish carved walnut armchair, late 17th century. Carlos II period.
Walnut
19th Century Welsh or English Folk Art Oak Corner Armchair
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, a rare corner armchair of exceptional craftsmanship featuring a triangular solid oak seat and elaborately hand-carved back panel with dense geometric patterning and...
Oak
$10,591Sale 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
$1,450
H 26 in W 17 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century French Bobbin-Turned Oak Fireside Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An evocative late-19th-century French Provincial corner chair, or coin du feu, handcrafted in France circa 1895. Distinguished by its compact proportions, unusual wraparound back and...
Rush, Oak
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
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Corner Armchair
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine and unusual Swedish 18th century Rococo armchair in Its original colour. Ca 1770 Sweden.
Wood
$24,850Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 58.5 in W 32.5 in D 29 in
Pair of Italian 19th Century Renaissance Style Carved Figural Throne Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and palatial pair of Italian 19th century renaissance style carved walnut figural throne armchairs. The intricately carved Baroque frames with the backrests depicting a pair o...
Velvet, Walnut
Spanish Renaissance Carved Oak Bench Banquette Escaño, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance light oak bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date from the early 20th century. The piece has a deep back...
Oak
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.