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.
Danish, Mid-20th Century, Carved Oak Footstool with Red Leather Seat, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant antique-style stool or footstool, this piece features a finely carved wooden frame and traditional detailing that evokes the refined aesthetics of the Neo-Renaissance peri...
Metal
$595 / item
Small Chippendale Bench
Located in Annville, PA
The Small Chippendale Bench is a hand carved, Chippendale style bench carved from solid, kiln dried, plantation grown, mahogany and features an upholstered slip seat on cabriole legs and ball and claw feet. Beautifully finished with neutral upholstery the Niagara Furniture...
Mahogany
18th C. Italian Baroque Cassone or Blanket Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
A wonderfully rustic early Italian hand carved cassone with egg and dart moulded frame, time-softened wood and solid panels on the front and sides. Although this chest has suffered w...
Wood
Norwegian footstool 1950s-60s
Located in Brescia, IT
Norwegian 1950s-60s teak footstool with cream leather upholstered seat. Norwegian footstool from the 1950s-60s, featuring a teak frame with clean, well-proportioned lines. The desig...
Teak
Pair of Claw Foot Stools in the style of Thomas Chippendale
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved mahogany, upholstered stool in the mid Georgian manner with shell carved knees, acanthus decoration and hairy paw feet. We are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time.
Wood
Classic Antique Style Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant Empire style bench in walnut. Canes seat and sides, generous size-44" wide. Practical and sturdy.
Walnut
Pair of Georgian Style Leather Benches
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Georgian style leather benches with distressed patterned leather upholstery, web construction, carved perimeter, heavily carved legs with shell motif and resting on ball and ...
Wood
18th Century American Pine Decorated Blanket Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century American pine decorated blanket chest, probably from New England, circa 1770 having a dovetailed case on wide bracket feet, the li...
Pine
18th Century Queen Anne Mahogany Footstool with Needlepoint Seat
Located in Bradenton, FL
Queen Anne Mahogany Footstool with Needlepoint Upholstered Seat. The needlepoint tapestry features a soft palette in greens, corals, and creams, perfectly complementing the warm tone...
Mahogany
Mid 20th c Burgundy Red Cut Velvet Ottoman Footstool
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Bugundy red cut velvet floral design ottoman footstool with apron.
Velvet
Lucite and Mongolian fur Bench
Located in Ballard, CA
An eye catching bench made with an upholstered seat floating on a Lucite base, affixed with custom engineered hardware. Custom sizes and finishes available.
Metal
18th Century Blanket Box or Wedding Dowry Chest
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Believed to have originated from Southern Italy. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Wood
English Chinese Chippendale Giltwood Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Chinese Chippendale style gilded faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, its square crown seat with canted corners upholstered with a leopard print cut velvet in orange ...
Upholstery, Wood
$788Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 20 in D 12 in
Antique Crocodile Leather Camel Footstool Ottoman Bench
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Crocodile Leather Camel Footstool Ottoman Bench.
Crocodile, Wood
$5,950Sale Price|52% Off
H 29.38 in W 71 in D 27 in
Italian 19th Century Baroque Style Carved Walnut Figural Cassone Chest-Trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Italian 19th century Baroque Revival style carved walnut figural Cassone chest-trunk. The ornately carved chest, also known as a marriage chest, with ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 17 in W 19.75 in D 9.5 in
Antique French Bench Stool Gothic Renaissance Carved Oak Trestle Fleur de lis
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French Bench Stool Gothic Renaissance Carved Oak Trestle Fleur de lis. Direct from France, a highly carved antique oak bench or stool. Superb hand carvings and craftsmanship...
Oak
19th Century, Renaissance Footstool with Velvet and Carved Gryffins
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century, Renaissance footstool with velvet and carved gryffins is ideal for the masculine decor, and features artistic sculptures of the fearsome mythical beast that was a cross...
Velvet, Oak