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.
Italian Renaissance Walnut Savonarola Loveseat, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style carved walnut Savonarola style loveseat with carved heads, 19th-20th century.
Walnut
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Walnut and Giltwood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. walnut and giltwood armchairs. Each chair is raised by elegant circular tapered turned legs with fine bun feet and connected by...
Walnut, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Tete-a-Tete
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th century Tete a Tete with carved wood frame and an upholstered, linen-blend, cushioned seats.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,375Sale Price|54% Off
H 27 in W 64 in D 39 in
'Bounty' Leather Loveseat by L. Davanzati for The Pace Collection, 1980s
By Elam, Lorenzo Forges Davanzati, Pace Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely example of the 'Bounty' series two-seat loveseat / settee by The Pace Collection in the early 1980s, this deep seated channel-tufted loveseat sofa was designed by L. Davantazi produced by Elam and retailed by The Pace Collection. Perfect for a cigar, whiskey or wine lounge or any space that can use something a bit modern yet still refined and classy. *Note, we have the matching club lounge chair and three-seater couch in another listing. Last two photos show the entire set. See our other listings or contact us for more details if you wish to create a living room or office / hotel lobby set. This channel-tufted leather love seat retains its original supple leather upholstery in an intriguing deep burgundy-brown color, almost like dark-cognac with beautiful lightly aged leather patina. The sumptuous seats are encased in a dark colored lacquer, providing an attractive modern contrast with the rich and elegant leather. This two-seater sofa has casters for ease of relocation according to occasion and mood or to better suit a view. The back is finished with tufted leather making this loveseat look incredible when floating in a room with the back exposed. Curved Art Deco styled arms lend 1980s juxtaposition and character to any room. Similar in style to the Saratoga Sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 1970s, but at a fraction of the price. Plus something you don't get with the Saratoga sofa is the refined style of the elegant channel-tufted leather cushions on this Bounty loveseat sofa by The Pace Collection. The Pace Collection also offered the highly sought after collection by Guido Faleschini such as the Tucroma chair which is an interior designer and 20th century Modern design collector's favorite go to chair. Another example is the wild 1970s bed that featured interior design magazine covers when Lenny Kravitz home was featured with the Mariani bed...
Leather, Lacquer
$12,000
H 34 in W 42 in D 22 in
19th Century Victorian Mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to Head) Lovers Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare English 19th Century Victorian mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to head) Lovers or Kissing Settee, The rounded arched crests over S-shape...
Mahogany
Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s
By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl style sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s. Perfectly balanced lines and proportions providing for a solid and sturdy ...
Wool, Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat. Offered is a beautiful antique French Louis XVI style or French Empire style loveseat or petit cana...
Linen, Wood
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century Italian Diminutive Painted Settee in Tan Leather
Located in Essex, MA
19th Century French Louis XVI Parcel-Gilt & Painted Marquise Settee with Leather Upholstery & Nailhead Trim. 19th-century, diminutive-size Italian painted classical settee covered in...
Wood
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
$10,500
H 37 in W 51 in D 30 in
19th C. Wicker Tete-a-Tete Chair with Intricate Caned Backs in Natural Finish
Located in Nashua, NH
A very rare wicker conversation chair also known as a Tete-a-Tete .This side by side chair is woven in a very gracious design in a natural finish with beautifully styled curly cue wing sided head rests which sit above intricately hand caned backs. The comfortable and elegant scrolled arms are decorated with cross hatch weave which rest upon woven supports along with curly cue decoration beneath.The hard wood framed seats contain pressed caning which sit above a lovely simply designed chair skirt in a curled flowing design supported on woven legs with brass tips with contemporary upholstered 3" cushions in Sunbrella fabric.This very rare couples chair...
Wicker, Cane, Wood
Henry P Glass 'Intimate Island' Loveseat for Richbilt Furniture
By Henry P. Glass, Richbilt MFG
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loveseat by Henry P Glass for Richbilt Furniture, C.1960s, USA. The loveseat features a sculpted walnut frame and has been recently reupholstered in a beige chenille fabric along the...
Wool, Chenille, Upholstery, Walnut
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
Pair of Antique Renaissance Style Throne Arm Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of stately well proportioned square-backed upholstered renaissance style throne chairs with leather upholstered arm rests and seats accented with nail heads on turned uprights l...
Leather, Linen, Oak
Sold
H 49 in W 32.5 in D 18 in
Antique French Carved Oak Renaissance Hall Bench Loveseat Chair Gothic Mermaid
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, highly ornate antique French carved oak renaissance hall bench or loveseat with exquisite hand carved details! Upper crown has two full length mermaids holding t...
Oak
Uber Elegant Pair of Maitland-Smith Giltwood and Velvet Loveseats
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of gorgeous giltwood framed loveseats with Italian antique style, upholstered in a neutral taupey velvet. One of the loveseats has minor irregularity to the velvet. W...
Giltwood, Velvet