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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
18th Century Portuguese Carved Walnut Chair with Embossed Leather & Brass Nails
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entry or office with this tall antique Renaissance chair. Crafted in Portugal, circa 1760, the stately chair sits on turned legs ...
Category

Late 18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Brass

Chair with foldings slats, called "Savonarole"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
CHAIR WITH FOLDING SLATS, CALLED «SAVONAROLE»   ORIGIN : FLORENCE, ITALY PERIOD : LATE 15th  CENTURY – EARLY 16th CENTURY   Height : 85 cm Width : 65 cm Depth : 55 cm   Walnut Good state of preservation     This movable Italian seat from the late 15th century descents from the roman curule seat. It took the name of sedia Savonarola...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Spanish Renaissance Walnut and Red Velvet Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Spanish Renaissance (17th Century) walnut armchair with filigree front stretcher, scroll finial on back, and red velvet seat and back.
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Northwind Face Curule Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Figural Northwind Face Curule Side Chair. Item features a carved face to base, pierce carved scrollwork back, paw feet, solid wood construct...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Convertible Pair of Monk's Chair or End Table, Foldable Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
19th century convertible monk's chair is cleverly engineered to provide two uses. Seat back down, it's a table, seatback up it's an armchair. Sculpted from solid oak, it features carving on both sides of the tabletop or seatback so it's attractive no matter what mode it's in. An ingenious space-saver, circa 1870s, in the manner of Stephen Hedges...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Turned Wood Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century carved oak turned wood armchair. Perfect to place in your room or in your office with the table desk together. The frames with barl...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

19th Century Set of Six French Carved Walnut Turned Wood Chairs with Velvet Seat
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. ball feet. It has a r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

English Renaissance Red Velvet Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style oak carved side chair with a shaped back and stretcher with a carved front panel under seat and upholstered in red velvet.
Category

20th Century British Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

19th Century Set Six Renaissance Chairs in Hand-Carved Walnut, Spring Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century set six Renaissance chairs in hand-carved walnut, spring seat upholstered in ocher-colored velvet. The chairs are still usable. Their res...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

American Fireside Chair and Ottoman
Located in Annville, PA
An extremely popular American Fireside Chair and ottoman designed after an original antique chair and ottoman. This reproduction antique has al...
Category

2010s Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Quality Pair of Florentine Walnut and Bone Inlaid Savonarola X-Form Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality pair of Florentine walnut and bone inlaid Savonarola x-form chairs with Medici crest; each stunning chair with shaped back crest rail with inlaid royal heraldry center...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Brown Leather Arm Chair
Located in Annville, PA
A fine quality Brown Leather Arm Chair from Niagara furniture featuring a solid mahogany frame and full grain genuine leather. We had so many requests for our traditional fireside c...
Category

2010s Unknown Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Tuscany 19th Century Renaissance Table with Six Chairs, Hand-Carved Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Tuscany Renaissance table with six chairs by Cucchi & Sola -Ammobilgiamenti- Torino in hand-carved walnut in original conditions, polished to wax. The upholstery of the chairs is st...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

2 Similar Italian Renaissance Walnut Sgabelli Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
2 Similar Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) walnut straight 4 legged sgabelli with V cut on back (PRICED EACH)(one with incised cross)
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique 17th C. English Renaissance Carved Oak and Wrought Iron Bench Banquette
Located in Philadelphia, PA
17th Century English Renaissance Carved Oak and Wrought Iron Bench Banquette. Item features deep relief hand-carved back and legs which terminate at claw like front feet. The base is...
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Early 20th Century Pair Armchairs solid Ebonized Walnut restored new upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Two Renaissance armchairs in solid ebonized walnut , restored and new upholstered with precious Toile De Jouy fabric. Toile de Jouy, (French: “fabric of Jouy”, )also called Jouy Pri...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Pair of Italian Armchairs in Walnut circa 1600-Renaissance Period
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine pair of Italian armchairs circa 1600 in walnut Superb pair of armchairs from the Italian Renaissance in superb condition The armchairs were upholstered with a green velvet...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Set of Six French Carved Walnut Turned Wood Chairs with Velvet Seat
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. ball feet. It has ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Set of 10 Inlaid Shield Back Chairs
Located in Annville, PA
This set of 10 Inlaid Shield Back Chairs by Niagara Furniture features 2 arm chairs and 8 side chairs. These shield back chairs are taller than many...
Category

2010s Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Renaissance Revival Lion Northwind Carved Walnut Figural Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Renaissance Revival Lion Northwind Carved Walnut Figural Side Chair. Item features pierced carved scrollwork back, lion/northwind carved face, nailhead trim, solid wood const...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

PORTUGUESE D. JOSÉ HIGH-BACKED ARMCHAIR 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
D. JOSÉ HIGH-BACKED ARMCHAIR 18th Century Portuguese in sucupira wood with carvings, backrest and seat in embossed leather. Period defects It was never restored. Dim.: 139 x 55 x 50 cm
Category

18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Italian Renaissance Walnut Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance Savanarola style walnut arm chair with gold velvet back and red and gold cut velvet seat (19th cent).    
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Gold

19th Century Spanish Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
Renaissance style armchair from the Catalan region of Spain. Constructed from richly stained oak and leather, accented with wonderful nailheads.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Armchair in Green Fabric with Wood Carvings from 1920s.
Located in Lejre, DK
Embrace the Timeless Renaissance Charm - 1920s Green Upholstered Armchair Step into a world of exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty with this captivating armchair inspired by...
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Two Henri IV Armchairs
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Those armchairs made from a fine walnut wood are perfect example of the Henri IV model. It’s low seat stands on four feet linked by an H-shaped spacer wit...
Category

17th Century French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

High-Backed Chair Made In Solid Oak With The Style Of The Renaissance From 1910s
Located in Lejre, DK
The high-backed chair crafted from solid oak, echoing the Renaissance style from around the year 1910, is a remarkable piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and sophistica...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak, Fabric

English Renaissance Wainscot Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance (17th Cent) Wainscot style oak arm chair with diamond designed carved back. (rePairs to back)
Category

17th Century British Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Italian Renaissance Beige Damask Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style (20th Cent) mahogany side chair with carved lion legs and a back carved crest & stretcher with a light beige damask upholstered back & seat
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Italian Dante Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of exquisite Italian wood "Dante" style chairs from the early 20th century. These feature x-base frames with carved accents and a crest back. Vintage cushions in good condition ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique corner armchair, Western Europe, circa 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique cormer armchair from around 1900. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat is covered with new natural leather. Dimensions: height ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Vanleigh Carved Oak Italian Renaissance Style Throne Dining Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Vanleigh Furniture New York Carved Oak Italian Renaissance Style Throne Dining Side Chair. Item features the original label, solid oak wood construction, beautiful wood grain...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS LOUIS XV STYLE 19th Centuty
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS LOUIS XV STYLE 19th Centuty Portuguese D. Maria style, in carved and gilded wood. Upholstered in fabric in burgundy tones. Signs of use. Dim.: 106 x 62 x 62 cm. or...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

English Renaissance Style Red Velvet Walnut Bench
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style (19th Century) 6 legged walnut bench with stretcher and red velvet upholstered seat.
Category

19th Century British Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Walnut Desk and Three Chairs
Located in Hixson, TN
A marvelous 18th century Italian writing table with the three chairs from Florence, Italy. This desk is an example of country Italian furniture. Simple but elegant. Strong but utilit...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Eight Portuguese Chairs and Canape, 18th Century in Oilwood
Located in Madrid, ES
Eight Portuguese Chairs and Canape 18th Century In oilwood, cut and pierced "Amphora" backrests, fabric seats.Small defects and different sofa fabric. Dim.: (chairs) 98 x 50 x 43 c...
Category

Early 18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Renaissance Style Oak Throne Chair Attributed to Horner
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Renaissance style oak throne chair, attributed to Horner, with paw front feet and textured upholstery on casters.
Category

Early 20th Century American Renaissance Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Pair of Italian Renaissance Pine Sgabello Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Renaissance style Venetian (20th Cent) pine carnival viewing sgabello style side chairs with a Pair carved heads on back.
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Pine

Pair of Renaissance Style Cherub Putti Throne Chairs Attributed to Horner
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Pair of Renaissance style carved throne chairs, attributed to Horner, with cherubs, paw feet and leather upholstery.
Category

Early 20th Century American Renaissance Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with star shaped centra...
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Italian Renaissance Walnut Sgabelli
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) walnut sgabelli with 4 turned legs and double-eagle back. There are scratches on the seat.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Italian Renaissance Walnut Throne Style Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance walnut throne style armchair with gilt carved ears on back and Fortuny upholstered seat and back with large metal nail heads (replaced side rails).  
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of English Renaissance Oak and Red Velvet Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Renaissance-style oak Armchairs with square backs and seats seat with red velvet upholstery and oak legs joined by box stretchers. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category

20th Century Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet, Oak

English Renaissance Red Velvet Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 English Renaissance (17th-18th century) walnut joint leg side chairs with double front spool stretcher and red velvet upholstered seat and back.
Category

18th Century English Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Renaissance chair with heraldic emblems of the Szontágh de Igló et Zabar family
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Renaissance chair with heraldic emblems of the Szontágh de Igló et Zabar family in excellent original condition.
Category

18th Century Slovak Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood

Addison Mizner Bronze and Wrought Iron Bench
By Addison Mizner
Located in Sarasota, FL
An Addison Mizner bench in bronze and wrought iron, circa 1920, from a Palm Beach estate in Florida. Features a frieze seat back decorated with gilt tritons and finely scrolled acant...
Category

Early 20th Century American Renaissance Seating

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Antique Renaissance Revival Lion Northwind Carved Walnut Figural Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Renaissance revival lion northwind carved walnut figural side chair. Listing includes a pierce carved scrollwork back, lion/northwind carved f...
Category

Early 20th Century European Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Italian Renaissance Walnut Column Back Benches
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Renaissance style (19th century) walnut turned column back benches with carved scroll arms.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

4 chairs with high backrest in oak and upholstery in the English Renaissance
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
4 chairs with high backrest in oak and upholstery in the English Renaissance style, or Louis XIII, circa 1900
Category

1890s English Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Oak

Chair Backstool Set of 5 Renaissance Oak English Architectural Velvet Sage Green
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A set of exceptionally rare, English, late-Renaissance, oak, architectural, backstools upholstered in a sage green 19th century Renaissance-revival velvet - The architectural insp...
Category

Early 1600s English Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Set of 4 Italian Renaissance Black Leather Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Italian Renaissance style oak high backed side chairs with black tufted leather backs & seats on porcelain casters (casters sgnd: R.Comb/Goodyear/1851)
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak, Leather

PAIR OF PORTUGUESE CHAIRS D. JOSÉ 19th Century ROSEWOOD
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF PORTUGUESE CHAIRS D. JOSÉ 19th Century in rosewood, carved. Backrests decorated with "rocaille" elements. Upholstered seats. Signs of use. Dim.: 100 x 46 x 42 cm good condit...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

High-backed Armchair in Green fabric with Wood Carvings from 1920s.
Located in Lejre, DK
Step into Timeless Elegance: Renaissance-Inspired High-Back Armchair from the 1920s Experience the grandeur of the Renaissance period embodied in this remarkable high-back armchair ...
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

16th Century Italian Armchair with Carved and Gilded Friezes, Firenze
Located in Prato, IT
Florence, late 16th century Restored New padding Typical Renaissance Florentine "Seggiolone" Dimensions: cm W66 x D63 x H140.
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Oak Highback Gothic Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of beautiful Antique Oak Highback Gothic Armchairs. Featuring oak construction, curved arm rests, turned legs and hand carved accenting. Confirm location with seller (NY or NJ)
Category

19th Century Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Oak

Pair of Seventeenth Century Italian Chairs
Located in London, GB
A sumptuous pair of seventeenth century Italian walnut chairs, the backs surmounted by carved and gilt finials with red velvet seats and backs, wit...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Velvet

18th Century Italian Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely large single chair made in Italy perhaps the Tuscan region in the late 18th cnetury is crafted from fine walnut with a deep rich color and patina. The large deeply carved and decorated arms join uprights that are also carved and decorated the whole is set up and joined to a large center carved front and side stretchers . The construction is peg supported throughout & newly upholstered in a Quadrille fine linen. The upholstery is also enhanced by large cast bronze decorative tacks in several sizes and trimmed out in old bullion trim...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Seating

Materials

Bronze

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 Seating

Materials

Walnut

Twelve Set Chairs Armchairs Open Fruitwood Upholstered Dining Renaissance-Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A rare long set of 12, Antiquarian, Renaissance-style, Fruitwood, Upholstered, Open Armchairs - Rare to find a set of 12 of a Renaissance-style armchair, in 35 years of dealing I ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Renaissance Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

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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