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 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
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
$5,143 / set
H 17.72 in Dm 21.66 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, Fabric, Mohair, Velvet
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
$2,100 / item
H 17 in Dm 20.5 in
Hollywood Regency Round Tiger Print Velvet Upholstered Ottoman or Foot Stool
By Scalamandre
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A stunning Hollywood Regency style hand crafted ottoman, covered in rich le Tigre velvet. Round in form, each stool is created by hand by our in house craftsman, and covered in a thi...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Foot Stools by Finn Juhl for France & Son in Teak and Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of teak foot stools in new tan leather. As a bonus, the footstools come apart, which makes it very easy to ship anywhere! Attention in every detail of the sculpted legs. Ov...
Leather, Teak
Bertu Stools, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Dining Stool, White Oak
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Cicely Dining Stool in Sheepskin is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted at the Spring 2022 High Point Market. These stools ar...
Sheepskin, Oak
$8,179 / 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
$4,400 / set
H 20 in W 19 in D 14 in
Regency Style Designer Taboret Benches with Cut Velvet Zebra, Randy Esada, Pair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Regency style designer Taboret bench by Randy Esada Designs. Note: Custom orders require a deposit and cannot be canceled. All custom order deposits are non-refundable.
Velvet, Giltwood
$750
H 16.5 in W 23.5 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Barcelona Foot Stool White Leather & Chrome style Mies Van der Rohe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, mid-century modern Barcelona ottoman stool in white leather and chrome designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Unmarked. Dimensions: 16.5" H x 21.5" D x 23.5" ...
Chrome
Custom Batik Textile Ottoman with Paw Feet
Located in San Diego, CA
A fantastic custom ottoman made of vintage continental Batik textile standing on four carved paw feet and detailed with two rows of antique brass colored nail heads, circa 2010s. The...
Textile, Wood
$6,800 / set
H 18.5 in W 24.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Dorothy Draper España X Stools / Benches in Leopard Velvet, circa 1955
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Timelessly sexy and upper crust pair of Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency benches or ottomans newly professionally upholstered in elegant leopard velvet. Stately X shape and lines. New leopard velvet tufted upholstery outlined in black piping for a more upscale finished look. Brass feet and emblems have a rich patina. Lacquered black wooden legs highlighted in gold draws the eye to that sophisticated X silhouette. These iconic Dorothy Draper benches...
Lacquer, Velvet
$5,850 / set
H 15.36 in W 16.93 in D 14.18 in
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo Pair of Stools in Brown Velvet
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo stools/ottomans, velvet, beech, Italy, 1950s This elegant pair of small stools or ottomans, designed by Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo in the ...
Velvet, Beech
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
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