Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
RENAISSANCE STYLE
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.
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Style: Renaissance
Leather Regency Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Leather Regency Chair is upholstered using only genuine full gran leather and accented with brass nail trim. This Regency s...
Category
2010s Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
17th Century Armchair
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Great 17th century walnut armchair from the Louis XIII period. The proportions and turning quality are exemplary and are complimented with...
Category
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Antique Spanish Renaissance Style Throne Arm Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
This Spanish walnut throne chair with a large wide seat made circa 1700. Made from well carved but simply done walnut the chair is centered on a leather covered seat and back with large antique nail heads...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Solid Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Solid Mahogany Library Chair, also known as a metamorphic chair as created by Niagara Furniture. This style of Solid Mahogany Library Chair was o...
Category
2010s Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
17th Century Italian Armchair with Plumage
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
The straight uprights of the backrest are surmounted by gilded plumages. Gilded acanthus leaves in the form of consoles adorn the top of the two front legs, supporting the large flat...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Spanish Armchair 17th Century in Walnut
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Spanish Renaissance armchair from the early 17th century in walnut with a high back
claw feet
Very beautiful seat with a beauti...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
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17th Century Louis XIII Armchair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
During the first half of the seventeenth century chairs evolve towards a new model today known as Louis XIII foreshadowing the armchair. Chairs adopt a widen and lower silhouette. Horizontal lines prevail. Cushions disappear supplanted by horse hair upholstery.
This chair stands on four feet linked by an H-shaped spacer and a frontal cross-bar. Legs, spacers, cross-bar and arm-rests are all turned as rosary beads...
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Spanish Armchair in the Curule Style Cordovan Leather & Wood, Midcentury 19th
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Regency Style Leather Executive Office Chair by Century
Located in Rio Vista, CA
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H 54 in W 19 in D 16 in
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Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome 19th Century continental renaissance style Curule Savonarola
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19th Century Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Desk Armchair with Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
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H 36.5 in W 25.5 in D 24 in
Late 19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Walnut Desk Chair or Side Chair
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English Early 20th Century Single Leather Side Spanish Renaissance Style Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 20th century English leather side chair. This English chair from circa 1920 features a leather upholstery with exquisite brass nailheads around the back and seat. The slightly ...
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H 42.5 in W 20.25 in D 17 in
19th Century Italian Iron Savonarola Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Handsome Italian Iron Savonarola Wrought Iron Chair With Brass Accents And Claw Feet From The 19th Century.
Please click KIRBY ANTIQUES logo below t...
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Renaissance office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Renaissance office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage office chairs and desk chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance office chairs and desk chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Spain, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for office chairs and desk chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $545 and tops out at $4,097 while the average work can sell for $1,900.