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Renaissance Seating

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
Italian Renaissance-Style Walnut Armchair
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Italian Renaissance-Style Walnut Armchair (18th/19th Century), Italy This exquisite armchair, crafted in the Italian Renaissance style, is a true testament to timeless design and m...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Antique Oscar Bach Wrought Iron and Bronze Renaissance Revival Throne Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Oscar Bach Wrought Iron and Bronze Renaissance Revival Throne Arm Chair. Item features a heavy hand hammered wrought iron frame with bronze accents, tall stately form, classi...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Iron

Renaissance Style Giltwood Bench
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Renaissance style giltwood bench, circa 1920. This bench has excellent quality gilding, carved cupid heads, gargoyle faces and paw feet.
Category

1920s European Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian Renaissance Walnut Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance Savanarola style walnut arm chair with red velvet upholstery and carved front (19th Cent) Please note: Upholstery is in AS IS con...
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

American Fireside Chair
Located in Annville, PA
An extremely popular American Fireside Chair designed after an original antique chair. This reproduction antique has all of the features of it’s ancestr...
Category

2010s Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Renaissance Walnut Sgabelli Stools
Located in Queens, NY
2 Similar Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) walnut 3 legged sgabelli Stool with stretcher and "V" cutout in back. (PRICED EACH)
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Pair of English Renaissance Walnut Rectangular Benches
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Renaissance style (19th Century) walnut rectangular bench with stretcher and double pedestal side with shaped corners (PRICED AS P...
Category

19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Set Renaissance Dining Chairs 16 Carved Diners
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Amazing Set of 16 Mahogany Renaissance Style Dining Chairs. circa 1920 The Chairs stand Upon Carved and Shaped Front Legs With Lions ...
Category

1920s Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

3 Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) green and gold painted & carved ladder b
Located in Queens, NY
3 Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) green and gold painted & carved ladder back high back side chairs with rush seat. (PRICED EACH)
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Rush, Wood

Set of 4 Italian Renaissance Gilt Jester Arm Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Italian Renaissance-style (19th Century) gilt jester armchairs with swan arms, eagle sides, and red upholstered seats and backs.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

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.  
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Renaissance style Chairs Made In Oak With Green Fabric From 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
The two oak chairs in Renaissance style, upholstered with green velour fabric from the 1930s, are exquisite examples of vintage furniture with timeless app...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Oak

Antique Italian Renaissance Baroque Tapestry Throne Lounge Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Baroque tapestry throne lounge arm chair. Item features figural tapestry upholstery, stetcher base, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details, very nice vintage antique item...
Category

Early 20th Century Renaissance Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

6 Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Oak Wood Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
6 antique Italian Renaissance carved oakwood upholstered dining chairs. Listing features (5) side chairs, (1) armchair, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, finely carved d...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Naugahyde, Oak

Pair of Armchairs Attributed to H.A. Fourdinois, France, c1870
Located in PARIS, FR
Important pair of armchairs attributed to H.A. Fourdinois, with a flat back in “chapeau de gendarme” centered with a carved and foliated cartouche, joining padded scroll armrests car...
Category

1870s French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

17th Century Charles I English Oak Wainscot Armchair Primate Design Hand Carved
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original early 17th century Charles I Wainscot armchair. A good early original piece, hand carved, very naïve but at the time this would ha...
Category

Early 17th Century European Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Renaissance Revival Mahogany Armchairs, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Renaissance revival mahogany armchairs, a pair, each with finial topped uprights framing an upholstered back issuing scrolling volute arms, above a square upholstered seat su...
Category

20th Century Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Italian 17th Century Walnut and Leather Armchair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Italian armchair from 1680 may look like a throne, in fact it is a wonderfully patinated example of a friar’s chair–historically referred to as a “ s...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of Italian 19th Century Renaissance St. Walnut Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of Italian 19th century Renaissance st. walnut chairs. Each chair is raised by richly carved paw feet below the elegantly scrolled supports decora...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair 19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Armchairs ~ Fauteuils
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Renaissance Barley twist armchairs ~ Fauteuils will make a stylish yet comfortable addition to any room! Crafted from solid fruitwood, each features boldly a...
Category

1870s French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair of Tuscan Renaissance Style Walnut Armchairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of carved Italian walnut chairs were made in the 18th century copying a 16th-century form. All the members are cut from large heavy walnut timber with a nice rich warm mell...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Armchair, "frailero" or friar. Wood, leather. Spain, 16th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Friar armchair. Walnut wood, leather. Spain, 16th century. Armchair with arms and high back of the type known as “frailero”, which has leather with studs on the seat and upper part ...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Other

Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Savonarola Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (19th Century) carved walnut Savonarola style armchair with carved heads. (Matching loveseat: 041408)
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Set of 10 Henkel Harris Vintage Dining Chairs
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a Set of 10 Henkel Harris Vintage Dining Chairs in excellent original, as found, condition. Simple yet sophisticated this beauti...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Italian Arm Chairs, circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tooled leather paneled backs with scroll finals, having straight arm supports above a leather and brass trim seat raised on square legs joined a g...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Large Renaissance Style Figural Lion Carved Wood Paw Feet Throne Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Renaissance Style Figural Lion Carved Wood Paw Feet Throne Chair. Item features a large impressive size, ornate lion heads and paw feet, nicely carved details, very nice item, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Armchairs from the 19th Century in Rennaisance Louis XVIII Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of 4 armchair from the 19th century in Rennaisance Louis XVIII style. In leather, solid wood and bronze. Good condition.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Renaissance Style, Northern Italian Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of richly hand-carved walnut armchairs with faces and foliate details.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

IMPORTANT PAIR OF 18th Century PORTUGUESE STATE CHAIRS
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT PAIR OF 18TH CENTURY PORTUGUESE STATE CHAIRS Portuguese, from 18th century in rosewood and other woods, back with hollow tables. Upholstered seats. Small defects. Dim...
Category

Early 18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th C. Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut High Back Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Antique 19th C. Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut High Back Side Chairs. Item features a stretcher base, solid wood frame, nicely carved details, very nice antique item. Circ...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

4 Antique Henry II Style Carved Dining Side Chairs Tooled Leather Upholstery
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of four Henry II style dining chairs. Features a hardwood construction with carved and molded spindle backs. The chairs are supported by fluted legs with H stretchers and bun fee...
Category

Early 20th Century Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique Italian Renaissance Ornate Scrolled Iron Vanity Bench Newly Upholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Italian Renaissance Ornate Gild Scrolled Iron Vanity Bench Newly Upholstered in Deep-Maroon Tufted Velvet Super heavy and unique piece to add to your bathroom, closet or mak...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Iron

Set of 8 Walnut Florentine Dining Chairs, 19th Century Italian
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of eight walnut Florentine renaissance-style fauteuils for dining Leather Sling seats Italian, c. 1800 23" W x 22" D x 36" BH x 17" SH x 31" AH Please note: Leather s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Renaissance Style Carved Bench or Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome Renaissance style wooden bench rests on two shapely base supports connected by a horizontal stretcher. Use it as a coffee table, bench, stool or side table.
Category

Early 20th Century Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Throne Captains Red Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Throne Captains Red Arm Chair. Item features red spiral sunset print upholstery, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, nicely carv...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 19th Century carolean inspired hall chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Unusual pair of carolean inspired hall chairs circa 1880. Made from earlier 18th century elements. Carved back rests with inlaid floral plaques. Slight differences in carvings pleas...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Curule Armchair In Wrought Iron And Bronze
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb wrought iron and bronze curule armchair Very elegant wrought iron armchair of good quality. The armrests and the backrest are decorated with gilded bronze toupilles and balls...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Bronze

Armchair with Arms of the Seventeenth Period
Located in Marseille, FR
Armchair with arms of the seventeenth century in walnut covered with striped velvet. Good condition of tapestry. Some grafts and old restorations. Dimension height 90 cm for a width ...
Category

17th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Large Carved Oak Renaissance Style Armchair from France, C. 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in the Renaissance style in France, circa 1890, this imposing oak armchair features a verdant tapestry affixed with iron nailheads. The sc...
Category

1890s French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Upholstery, Oak

19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Dining Chairs with Vienna Straw, Set of 4
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Very rare series of four dining room chairs production of Italy cabinetmakers in renaissance style, 1880. Beautiful line with turned legs. The backrest of these chairs is high with a...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Straw, Walnut

Vintage Neo Renaissance Style Lion Head Savonarola Throne Chair w/Mahogany Frame
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Late 19th Century Neo Renaissance Style lion head Savonarola Throne chair with a mahogany frame, carved details, & loose seat cushion with original velvety wine colored fabric. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, under the lion on the left (if you are facing the chair) a piece of wood was missing so it was filled & repaired by our artisan staff. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 19th Century. Lions have been associated with royalty and valor for centuries… A symbol of strength and courage… King of the jungle and held in awe by humankind. This chair represents ALL of that!! What an incredible aura to bring into your home! This is a FIERCE and quite FABULOUS Savonarola throne chair comprised of a marvelous mahogany frame featuring fantastic carved lion head back finials, beautifully carved details on the top rail, a smooth mahogany back splat bearing GORGEOUS wood grain surrounded by carved acanthus leaves and floral details, and the quintessential X style base with side stretchers and lovely scroll feet. BREATHTAKING!! It has a loose seat cushion wearing its original wine colored velvety fabric; but, you may have noticed we photographed it with a couple of different seat pillows. We just wanted to show you how easy it is to swap out and how different pillows or fabrics can drastically change the look of the chair. It will come with the wine colored seat cushion unless you prefer one of the others in the photographs. You can simply request that upon purchase. Quick fact… Did you know… The title Savonarola comes from the name of Italian Renaissance Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola, who is renowned for his clash with tyrannical rulers and corrupt clergy. Well…No tyranny here, just an incredible chair with an interesting history!! It’s BURSTING with an unmistakable Neo Renaissance Style and it is going to make quite the statement in your living or family room across from your sofa, in a corner of your bedroom, facing the fireplace in your study, or in your sitting room next to a marvelous accent table. This is it. The chair you need to make you feel like the king… or queen of your own jungle. What are you waiting for “Your Majesty...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

19th C Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Figural Needlepoint Throne Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Figural Needlepoint Throne Arm Chair. Item features figural needlepoint back and seat, flower and scroll work carved frame, tall stately back...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Set of 4 Antique Italian Walnut Side Tables or Stools with Carved Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful set of 4 antique Italian solid walnut side tables or stools with squared and beveled seat or top standing on four beautifully carved legs. This Italian walnut stools or sid...
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Italian 20th Century Renaissance St. Wrought Iron and Ormolu Savanarola Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative Italian 20th century Renaissance st. wrought iron and ormolu Savanarola bench. The folding bench is raised by a beautiful X-shaped wrought iron base with fine circular mottled feet connected by a stretcher. Above are four striking baluster shaped ormolu supports with beautiful finely detailed foliate designs with ball shaped finials each displaying richly chased acanthus leaves on a hammered background with a wrap around twisted ribbon band and each connected by superb additional baluster shaped foliate arm supports. Atop each ball finial is the etched coat of arms of Cardinal Giuseppe Antonio Ferretto. All original gilt throughout. Giuseppe Antonio Ferretto (9 March 1899 – 17 March 1973) was an Italian Cardinal born in Rome. In 1958 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Serdica by Pope John...
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron, Ormolu

19th Century Set of Four French Carved Walnut Turned Wood Chairs with Claw Feet
Located in Miami, FL
19th century carved walnut armchair. Perfect to place in your room or in your kitchen The frames with carved structure. The legs are finished in a higly carved claw feet. It has a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Vintage Millinder Set of 4 Shieldback Chairs
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Vintage Millinder Set of 4 Shieldback Chairs which will be the focal point of any space in which they are placed. Hand crafted from solid mahogany this beautiful set of Vin...
Category

1990s North American Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Six Renaissance style Leather sling chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Set of six antique rustic Renaissance style solid oak hand carved dining chairs with thick saddle leather and large brass decorative studs. Nice patina on the leather and wood. Arm ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Brass

18th Century Pair of Turned Chairs Renaissance Florentine in Walnut Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Very precious and hard to find pair of turned chairs Renaissance Florentine of the 18th century in dark walnut. Wax polished Measures cm: D...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

16th Century Spanish Walnut Chair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This walnut chair stands on four square-section feet linked by four crossbars. The front spacer is carved as an intertwined branch. The backrest’s jambs are adorned with leaves motif...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Walnut

Early 18th Century Hand Carved with Figures Italian Renaissance Armchair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved armchair with Figures carved on each arm post. Detailed and all mortise and tenon construction with wood pegs locking it tightly together. Flat back panel with a...
Category

1750s Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique portuguese armchair, late 18th / early 19th century
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Spectacular portuguese armchair in carved wood. Late 18th / early 19th century. Solid wooden structure and beautiful carved with lots of details. The original fabric is torn on the s...
Category

Early 19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Small Italian Chair with Marquetry Decor
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SMALL ITALIAN CHAIR WITH MARQUETRY DÉCOR   ORIGIN : ITALY PERIOD : EARLY  16th CENTURY   Height : 103 cm Width : 45 cm Depth : 38 cm   This chair r...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Northern Italy Renaissance Cathedra with a Canopy
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This cathedra or chayère chair is conceived following rules of monumental architecture. The seat can be lift open to reveal a chest. Both curved arm-rests are supported by a baluster...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Jacobean Style Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance carved walnut Jacobean style armchair. Item includes pierce carved stretcher base, solid wood construction, upholstered bac...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique Renaissance Revival Figural Lion Carved Oak Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Renaissance Revival Figural Lion Carved Oak Dining Chairs - Set of 4. Listing includes (1) armchair and (3) side chairs, beautifully carved solid oak wood frames, figural lio...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Antique Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Paw Foot Curule Throne Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Paw Foot Curule Throne Arm Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 37" H x 25" W x 23.5" D x 17.5" Seat height x 29" Arm height.
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Savonarola Throne Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Savonarola Throne Arm Chairs - a Pair. Item features turn carved stretcher supports, loose seat cushion, solid wood construction, nicely car...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique French Renaissance Style Oak Dining Chairs W/ Red Leather - Set of 6
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite set of six mid-19th-century French Renaissance dining chairs, sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from solid oak, these chairs feature intricate...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Renaissance seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Renaissance seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Vanleigh Furniture, Coduri of Lyon, France, and Dante Savonarola . 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $324 and tops out at $110,955 while the average work can sell for $3,250.

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