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.
$3,592Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 20th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Renaissance Hall Settee, Sofa
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Renaissance Hall Settee, Sofa, 58"H X 84"W Beautiful settee, sofa Early 1900's Scalloped highback Padded arms Nice firm seat Heavy carved wood frame Overall great condition,...
Fabric, Wood
$2,141 / item
French 18th Century Style Leather Settee
Located in Westwood, NJ
The warm tones of brown traditional leather paired with large brass nailhead decorations create a striking visual appeal. Transform your living space into a haven of sophistication. ...
Leather, Wood
Italian 19th century Renaissance st. Ebony and Bone inlayed Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative and handsome Italian 19th century Renaissance st. Ebony and Bone inlayed Settee. This exquisite settee is raised on eight mottled l...
Bone, Ebony
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
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 20th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Three Seat Federal Style Chair
Located in Annville, PA
This high quality, hand carved Three Seat Federal Style Chair from Niagara Furniture features some of the most detailed carving available anywhere on the market today. Beautifully fi...
Leather, Mahogany
Bench European Carvings 18th Century Rare Europe
Located in New York, NY
Bench rare European carvings 18th century rare Europe. A very rare bench made during 18th century in Europe. A few parts have been restored.
Wood
$7,437Sale Price|30% Off
H 42 in W 102 in D 60 in
Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Victorian corner parlor sofa featuring serpentine walnut frame with S scroll carved and padded arms. Features queen anne legs and tufted upholst...
Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Oak Farm Bench, Banquette
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French artisan made oak farm table bench from the turn of the twentieth century is constructed using hand pegged mortise and tenon joinery and features a seat with rounded ends ...
Oak
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
$4,273
H 37.41 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Spanish Carved Wood Bench with Barley Twist Legs, 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Impressive Spanish bench crafted from wood, featuring richly carved decoration and a strong traditional character. The tall backrest is decorated with elaborate carved scrollwork, u...
Hardwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood settee with a floral cartouche at the top of the back, and circled in a carved ribbon motif, with fluted and tapered legs. The back and...
Wool, Upholstery
$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
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Painted Settee
Located in Charleston, SC
French 19th century Louis XV style settee with gracefully shaped crest rail, scrolled cushioned arms, finely carved frieze with centered carved flowers and a serpentine apron raised...
Linen, Oak, Paint
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
$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
$2,599Sale Price|30% Off
H 42.92 in W 66.74 in D 26.38 in
18th Century Spanish Pyrenean Mountain Bench
Located in London, GB
A large late 18th century bench from the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Aragon. Primitively constructed from dark, heavily patinated pine timber - a one-off piece, likely built for a...
Pine
19th Century Anglo-Indian Carved Ebony Settee
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Anglo-Indian hand-carved ebony settee upholstered in natural creamy white ecru linen.
Upholstery, Velvet, Rosewood
19th Century Antique English Mahogany Settee
Located in Nottingham, GB
A handsome 19th-century English settee, finely crafted from mahogany and distinguished by its elegant proportions, sweeping arms and beautifully shaped cabriole legs. The substantia...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 39 in W 59.5 in D 22.5 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Carved Parlor Settee Loveseat 60"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Italian Neo-Renaissance parlor settee / loveseat / bench, circa 1870s. Made of walnut featuring Neoclassical styling with high relief figural carvings of cherubs / puttis, N...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 34.45 in W 74.41 in D 19.3 in
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 19th century. Heavy pieces of solid walnut in back and seat with bevel...
Walnut
Sold
H 34.26 in W 39.38 in D 14.97 in
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 20th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 43.51 in W 56.3 in D 21.46 in
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 20th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 38.98 in W 53.15 in D 21.07 in
19th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 19th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 38.98 in W 53.15 in D 21.07 in
19th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 19th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.32 in W 48.23 in D 16.54 in
19th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 19th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 70.5 in W 33 in D 21 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Renaissance Altar Throne Chair Bench Gothic
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, a highly ornate altar bench, with exquisite hand carved details~ ~It’s hard to describe all the carvings, just look closely at the pho...
Oak
19th century French Carved Oak Hall Bench Pew Gothic Breton Renaissance Settle
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, a gorgeous antique French hall bench has some of the most intriguing carvings we have seen. It probably was commissione...
Oak
Sold
H 47 in W 42 in D 22 in
Antique English Carved Oak Hall Bench Trunk Chest Settle Toy Box Pew Chair
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from England, a lovely carving completely covers this versatile antique English hall bench! ~3.5 ft. length, high back with scalloped carved upper and fully carved dual panels in a traditional English motif~ ~Lower front bench...
Oak
Sold
H 57.75 in W 54 in D 20 in
Antique French Carved Oak Hall Bench Chest Gothic Settle Pew Renaissance
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, a heavily carved dark oak antique French pew or bench , stunning detail and superb quality!~ ~Definitely a statement piece for any room...
Oak
Sold
H 43.75 in W 61.25 in L 43.75 in
19th Century Antique French Carved Oak Hall Bench Chest Renaissance Lion Breton
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, outstanding antique carved French bench, one of the most elaborately carved oak Renaissance hall benches we have found in years and definitely a piece of art! ~M...
Oak