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 Renaissance Handcrafted Armchair of Solid Oak with New Sheepskin 1940s
By Henning Kjærnulf, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish handcrafted armchair of solid oak, made in the 1940´s by a Danish cabinetmaker. The sculptural chair is richly hand-carved mounted with french cane in the middle piece of the ...
Sheepskin, Oak
two 19th Century antique Neo-Renaissance Oak Chairs hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Original neo-Renaissance armchair, circa 1870-1880. Massive dark oak, feet with lion paws connected by wide bridges. High backrest with plastic carvings with 2 lions. Seat and back c...
Oak
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 22 in D 24 in
19th Century Hand Carved Hepplewhite Armchair Desk Chair
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant and graceful hand carved mid-19th century shield back Hepplewhite armchair. The dark mahogany frame is expertly carved all along the frame...
Mahogany
19th Century Renaissance Style Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Renaissance style chair. Handsome antique Continental Renaissance style or Gothic style walnut Savonarola chair, throne chair, si...
Suede, Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Continental Renaissance Style Savonarola Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Continental Renaissance Style Savonarola chair. Handsome antique Continental Renaissance style walnut Savroarola chair, side chair, armchair or throne chair. This beautifully carved Gothic style chair...
Walnut, Suede
Pair of Jacob Kjaer Green Velvet 1940s Armchairs
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in London, England
Jacob Kjaer - Pair of Lounge Chairs, 1940s A pair of 1940s lounge chairs designed and made by master-cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer. These examples have been reupholstered in Moss green c...
Wool, Mahogany
$5,000 / set
H 38.5 in W 17 in D 21.5 in
Set of 6 English Renaissance Ornately-Carved Hall Chairs, Turn of 19th & 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English set of six Renaissance style elaborately carved hall chairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This set of antique board chairs from England each have been ornately hand-carved in a series of grotesque figures, embellished with swags, volutes, leaves. An arched crest further adorns the toprail. Center backs show a shied entwined with helmet and arrows. The seats, with their decoratively trim carved edges, are raised by a pair of shapely legs consisting of two carved boards, with front leg board continuing the mythological them of the back. These turn of the century chairs...
Wood
$10,795
H 32.68 in W 29.14 in D 31.5 in
1940s Fritz Hansen Easy Chair Reupholstered in long haired Icelandic Sheepskin.
Located in København K, 84
This 1940s Fritz Hansen easy chair, Model 1595, is a refined example of Danish modernist design, merging structural clarity with tactile richness. The chair features a grid-like back...
Sheepskin, Beech
Large Danish Wingback Armchair with Bun Feet 1940's
By Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic Danish 1940s large scale wingback armchair. We love the sharp yet refined lines. Very comfortable with spring coils in seat cushion and backrest raised on beech wood legs. ...
Wool, Beech
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
$5,500
H 39.77 in W 25.6 in D 29.14 in
Alfred Christensen Danish Armchair in Beech and Light Sheepskin, 1940s
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Prague, New Town
Danish armchair, model ’32’, designed by Alfred Christensen. Produced by Slagelse Møbelværk in Denmark, 1940s. Made from beech, recently reupholstered in light sheepskin. Second chai...
Sheepskin, Beech
1940s Style Custom Made Karu Sheepskin Lounge Chair
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Karu lounge chair The Karu chair is a contemporary update of a classic design first produced in Finland by the Haimi Oy company in t...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
$8,276 / set
H 30.32 in W 28.35 in D 25.99 in
Danish Modern Henning Kjaernulf Oak pair of razorblade Armchairs, 1970's
Located in Uccle, BE
A pair of razorback lounge chairs by Danish designer Henning Kjaernulf. This is his iconic design. Made of oak and reuphostered in toile chiné. Manufactured by EG Kvalitetsmøbel.
Fabric, Oak
$3,750 / set
H 31.89 in W 26.78 in D 31.5 in
Jindrich Halabala Patinated Bentwood Armchairs with Original Upholstery, 1940s
Located in Almelo, NL
Jindrich Halabala patinated bentwood armchairs with original upholstery, 1940s Czech Republic. A pair of two Jindrich Halabala bentwood armchairs with original upholstery from the ...
Fabric, Bentwood
Sold
H 47 in W 31 in D 33 in
Antique French Renaissance Carved Walnut Figural Fireside Lounge Wingback Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Renaissance Carved Walnut Figural Fireside Lounge wingback chair. Item features face carvings to wingback, bird and lat...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 23.5 in D 19 in
Italian Renaissance Style Wrought Iron and Brass Savonarola Chair, 20th Century
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Vintage Mizner style Italian Renaissance-revival Savonarola chair with black painted curvy wrought iron frame, gilt tooled leather seat and back, and sculptural solid brass finials.
Iron