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.
Pair of Rare Quilted Fortuny Pillows in Terracotta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are exceptional and rare Fortuny textile pillows, distinguished by their quilted construction and richly layered coloration—an uncommon treatment within Fortuny production and ...
Cotton, Linen
Pair of Authentic Fortuny Venetian Textile Pillows with Velvet Backs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of decorative pillows crafted from authentic Fortuny textiles, produced in Venice, Italy, featuring a classic scrolling floral and architectural motif inspired by Ren...
Cotton, Velvet
$550 / item
Italian Renaissance Oak Foot Stool
Located in Queens, NY
2 Italian Renaissance style oak rectangular foot stools with cane seat (PRICED EACH) (20th Cent.)
Cane
Brown Leather Pouf with Sheepskin Shearling Foot Stool
Located in Dural, AU
What a great way to add a stylish addition to your living room comfort with this brown leather pouf. Featuring an Italian grained leather trimmed with Australian curly wool shearling...
Sheepskin
Pair Staple Ottoman Footstools in the style of Milo Baughman
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair 1970's ottoman footstools in the style of Directional. Original fabric.
Fabric
$4,098 / set
H 17.72 in Dm 23.63 in
Pair of Custom Made Round Mohair Velvet Ottomans with Oak Ball Feet
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round Ottoman Custom-made ottomans developed & produced at our workshop in Sweden using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in a mustard mohair...
Sheepskin, Oak
Navy Velvet Low Stool with Lucite Legs, Pair
Located in Wilton, CT
A pair of stunning square low stools with cushions upholstered in fine navy velvet and installed with solid lucite legs. These stools are new ...
Velvet, Lucite
$3,850 / set
H 19 in W 24 in D 24 in
Pair of Sueded Leather Tufted Storage Ottomans, in the Manner of Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A chic pair of square tufted storage ottomans. The matt finished leather with antiqued brass nail-head trim. The lids remove to reveal storage.
Leather, Fruitwood
Pair of Large 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères in COM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères, in COM. This is the COM version: 1 yard required for the pair Instructions to send will be reconfirmed after the order is confirmed.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Walnut and Fabric Pillow Top Ottomans by Michael Taylor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s pair of dark walnut and white pillow top fabric ottomans or benches by Michael Taylor. Newly recovered with a white nubby fabric (see detail photos)...
Fabric, Wood
Italian stool from the 1960s
Located in bari, IT
A classic 1960s Italian pouf light walnut wood frame with fabric mid-1960s production
Fabric, Nutwood
$6,006 / set
H 33.47 in W 25.99 in D 38.98 in
Rare Pair of Model 2254 Lounge Chairs by Børge Mogensen with Ottomans 1950s Wool
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare pair of Model 2254. ''Slaedestolen'' lounge chairs with matching pair of Model 2248. ottomans. Designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia in the 1950s. The Model 2254. lounge cha...
Leather, Wool, Oak
Antique classic oak stool, Germany, 19th. Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique classic oak stool, Germany, 19th. Century Solid wood, square shape. Seat standing on four legs connected to a central bridge. Blue floral seat cover with elaborate innerspr...
Oak
Rare Guglielmo Ulrich italian pair of stools in cotton
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant Pair of Italian Poufs or Stools from the 1940s - Original Design Attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich This exceptional pair of poufs (or stools) dates back to the 1940s and is att...
Cotton, Wood
$8,213 / set
H 15.36 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Jacques Charpentier for Maison Jansen pair of ottomans mohair velvet 1970s
By Jacques Charpentier, Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Pair of ottomans by Jacques Charpentier for Maison Jansen designed in the late 1970s. The pair of ottomans are made of two large cushion elements connected together. They have been n...
Velvet
Sold
H 23.63 in W 29.53 in D 15.36 in
French Stool Dagobert Curule seat - panther - Renaissance - Empire France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Dagobert seat, Curule stool in walnut from the First Empire period, early 19th century. Armrests decorated with a lion's head (which can also resemble a dragon or a panther). It rest...
Upholstery, Wood