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.
Antique Renaissance Carved Lion Heads Curule Savonarola Style Chairs - a Pair
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a wonderful pair of antique Renaissance Curule or Savonarola Style Chairs with carved loins heads beneath carved scrolls on the arm posts and a carved crest between the posts...
Wood
Antique Neo-Renaissance Throne Chair, France 1890s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A striking Neo‑Renaissance throne chair from France, dating to the 1890s, distinguished by its sculptural presence and richly historic charact...
Leather, Oak
Set of an Italian Renaissance Walnut Armchair and Pair of Chairs
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This stunning set of an armchair and a pair of chairs is all made in solid walnut. This is an Italian Renaissance work. 17th century.
Walnut
Later 16th to Early 17th Century Italian Renaissance Walnut Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of Italian Renaissance walnut chairs. Pozzetto, Ref & quot;Volpi Collection- Art Treasures of the Davanzati & quot; These chai...
Walnut
$525 / item
Solid Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Solid Mahogany Library Chair, also known as a metamorphic chair as created by Niagara Furniture. This style of Solid Mahogany Library Chair was o...
Mahogany
19th Century Continental Renaissance Style Savonarola Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Continental Renaissance Style Savonarola Chair. Handsome antique Continental Renaissance style walnut Savroarola chair, side chair, armchair or throne chair. This beautifully carved Gothic style chair...
Walnut, Suede
$1,500 / item
2 Italian Renaissance Sgabelli Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
2 Similar Italian Renaissance style (17th Cent) walnut curved 3 legged sgabelli with carved back and seat (PRICED EACH)
Walnut
$2,387Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Spanish Renaissance Revival Carved Savonarola Chairs, Early 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Beautiful pair of Spanish Renaissance Revival Savonarola chairs, crafted in solid wood and richly carved with scrolling vegetal motifs. The iconic X-frame silhouette, inspired by med...
Hardwood, Oak
French Revival Side Chairs, Leather & Walnut, Carved Knights, 1900
Located in Pomona, CA
A pair of French Revival Side Chairs. Original old embossed leather seats and backs. The leather backs with embossed design of Lions and castles. The backs surrounded by a carved fra...
Leather, Walnut
$117,182 / set
Set of Four Italian Walnut Savonarola Armchairs
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of four Italian walnut Savonarola armchairs ORIGIN : FLORENCE, ITALY PERIOD : LATE 15TH CENTURY - EARLY 16TH CENTURY Measures: height : 102 cm 40.15 inches, height : 93 cm 36.61 inches length : 68 cm 26.77 inches, length : 68 cm 26.77 inches depth : 55 cm 21.65 inches, depth : 50 cm 19.68 inches Walnut Very good condition This movable Italian seat from the late 15th century descents from the roman curule seat. It took the name of sedia Savonarola...
Walnut
Antique French Carved Walnut Hall Bench Breton Brittany Pew Renaissance c1890
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French carved walnut hall bench Breton Brittany Pew Renaissance. Direct from Brittany, France, an ornately hand carved antique French hall bench...
Walnut
$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
Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Savonarola Folding Chair circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Renaissance style walnut Savonarola folding chair from circa 1900 with lion paw feet. This Italian Renaissance style Savonarola chair, dating back to circa 1900, is a sple...
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...
Walnut
Antique Italian Carved Angel & Dolphin Burlwood Angel Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Italian Carved Angel & Dolphin Burlwood Angel Chair.
Burl
$35,154
Renaissance "Chayère" Chair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This chayère chair of beautiful proportions stands on a rectangular box base enriched by vermiculure motifs executed in flat-plane. This base is topped by a moulding of strong gadroo...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Henri II Style Carved Beech Side Chairs, Needlepoint
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of mid nineteenth century French Henri II style hand carved beechwood side chairs features gold detailed lion heads at the top of the seat backs. Additional gold detailed a...
Upholstery, Beech
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
$1,335 / item
Regency Green Leather Arm Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Regency Green Leather Arm Chair with full grain leather upholstery combines a super simple design with sweeping lines and finely executed details to help make t...
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Walnut Cardinal's Throne Chair with Canopy Design
Located in Queens, NY
19th century Italian Renaissance style walnut cardinal's throne chair with shell design canopy and column supports.
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Carved and Hand-Painted Cassapanca Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
Add Italian visual drama into your home with this elegant antique colorful Cassapanca bench. Crafted in Italy, circa 1820 features a tall, commanding back and intricately carved apro...
Wood, Paint
$1,975 / item
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...
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage Anglo Indian Renaissance Style Carved Wood Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Anglo Indian Renaissance Style Ornate Carved Wood Upholstered Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 43" H x " 22.5 W x 37" D x 21 "Seat Height x 29" Arm...
Wood
$595 / item
Small Chippendale Bench
Located in Annville, PA
The Small Chippendale Bench is a hand carved, Chippendale style bench carved from solid, kiln dried, plantation grown, mahogany and features an upholstered slip seat on cabriole legs and ball and claw feet. Beautifully finished with neutral upholstery the Niagara Furniture...
Mahogany
Italian Renaissance Walnut Savonarola Armchair with Carved Heads
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (19th Century) carved walnut Savonarola style armchair with carved heads. (Matching loveseat: 041408)
Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Carved and Hand-Painted Oak Cassapanca Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Add unmistakable Italian visual drama to an interior with this striking pair of Italian cassapanca-style benches, crafted circa 1960 and inspired by earlier Renaissance and Baroque s...
Paint, Oak
Set of 10 chairs Italian Renaissance Revival Polychrome Giltwood Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental set of 10 Italian Renaissance Revival dining chairs, circa 1860-1880. Includes 2 armchairs with carved lion head terminals and 8 matching side chairs. Each chair features ...
Linen, Giltwood
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...
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century Barely Twist Butternut Arm Chair with Carved Lions Heads
Located in Louisville, KY
A chair like this doesn't come along everyday. With its unique white walnut barley twist frame and arms that terminate at the hand rest with hand-carved resting lions, this piece is ...
Walnut
$2,475 / item
Leather Fireside Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Leather Fireside Chair is designed after an American original antique chair and ships out covered in full grained tufted genuine l...
Leather, Mahogany
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...
Wood, Walnut
Vintage French Bench in Wood, 1920
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful French rustic sofa or bench from the early 20th century. This characterful sofa or bench is a country house piece of furniture in folk art with an unusual straight shape. T...
Walnut
Stunning 18th Century Venetian Style Open Armchairs
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning pair of 18th century venetian style parcel gilt polychrome painted open armchairs , on spiral fluted supports , absolutely stunning conditi...
Walnut
Set of 6 Antique French Renaissance Walnut & Leather Dining Chairs, Circa 1900.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 6 Antique French Renaissance Style Carved Walnut & Embossed Leather Dining Chairs, Circa 1900.
Brass
17th Century Italian Carved Walnut and Leather Renaissance 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...
Metal
$1,595 / item
Leather Regency Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Leather Regency Chair is upholstered using only genuine full gran leather and accented with brass nail trim. This Regency s...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Spanish Renaissance Style Throne Arm Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
This Spanish walnut throne chair with a large wide seat made circa 1700. Made from well carved but simply done walnut the chair is centered on a leather covered seat and back with large antique nail heads...
Leather, Wood
$5,624 / set
Set Of 12 Spanish Beechwood Chairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb large set of 12 renaissance style Spanish chairs from the early 20th century. A very beautiful and rare set upholstered in mohair velvet. The upholstery is in superb condition...
Beech
19th C. Renaissance Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola Carpet Sling Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century Hand Wrought Iron Renaissance Savonarola Carpet Sling Curule Side Chair. Item features a hand wrought iron folding frame, desirable weathered finish, carpet "sling" seat...
Wrought Iron
$2,475 / item
Leather Fireside Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Green Leather Fireside Chair is designed after an American original antique chair and ships out covered in full grained tufted genuine leather with brass nail t...
Leather, Mahogany
Set of Four French Early 17th Century Henry II Side Chairs
Located in Troy, NY
Set of Four French Early 17th Century Henry II Side Chairs, beautiful simple lines, accentuated with decorative brass tacks, columnar legs joined by flattened box stretchers and endi...
Leather, Walnut
1840s French Italian Renaissance Oak Savonarola Chair
Located in High Point, NC
A 1840s French Italian Renaissance Savonarola chair crafted in oak and distinguished by its sculptural, X-form silhouette. This hi...
Upholstery, Oak
Danish, Mid-20th Century, Carved Oak Footstool with Red Leather Seat, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant antique-style stool or footstool, this piece features a finely carved wooden frame and traditional detailing that evokes the refined aesthetics of the Neo-Renaissance peri...
Metal
Antique Italian Renaissance Figural Bird & Lion Carved Walnut Throne Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Figural Bird & Lion Carved Walnut Throne Arm Chair. Item features a high back, solid carved walnut frame with bird crest, pierce carved acanthus leaves th...
Walnut
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...
Leather, Walnut
Renaissance style chest, France, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Renaissance style chest, France, circa 1870. Very good condition. Wood: walnut dimensions height 190 cm width 145 cm depth 55 cm
Walnut
Antique Vanleigh Carved Oak Italian Renaissance Style Throne Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Vanleigh Carved Oak Italian Renaissance Style Throne Arm Chairs - a Pair. Ite...
Oak
French Renaissance Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Woodbury, CT
This regal seat dates to the 16th century. The square seat and back contrasted by the blocked barley twist turnings that comprise the arms legs and stretcher. Well-carved recumbent l...
Silk, Walnut
Antique French Brittany Carved Oak Bench with 16th Century Portrait Panels 1560
Located in Portland, OR
A rare French/Brittany carved oak bench from the late 19th century, fitted with original carved French Renaissance portrait panels from circa, 1560. The bench was constructed in Brit...
Oak
18th Century Spanish Baroque Hand Carved Chest Trunk or Console Table
Located in Miami, FL
Nice 18th century chest in walnut. Hand carved facade panel with heads decorations. Plinth with brace decorations, dovetail assembly with wrought iron wardware. Add a real show stopp...
Iron
$1,335 / item
Regency Leather Arm Chair
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Regency Brown Leather Arm Chair with full grain leather upholstery combines a super simple design with sweeping lines and finely executed details to help make t...
Leather, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Carved Oak Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Oak high back bench with detailed carving. Birds, fruit basket, flowers, winged male figures, and carved flourishes are seen throughout the back. Note the seat is hinged, creating gr...
Oak
Antique Spanish Renaissance Carved Oak Wood Figural Leather Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Spanish Renaissance Carved Oak Wood Figural Leather Upholstered Side Chairs - a Pair. Chairs feature carved faces and brown distressed leather upholstery, very nice decorativ...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Side Chairs 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A PAIR OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE STYLE WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS 19TH CENTURY, INCORPORATING EARLIER ELEMENTS In solid walnut with straight seats, gilt acanthus leaf finials, carved front st...
Walnut
$3,192Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Spanish Barley Twist Hall Bench with Burgundy Velvet Upholstery
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional antique Spanish hall bench that beautifully showcases the bold craftsmanship and architectural character of traditional Spanish furniture. Crafted from solid hardwood...
Bronze
Antique Italian Renaissance Baroque Tapestry Carved Walnut Throne Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Italian Renaissance Baroque Tapestry Carved Walnut Throne Arm Chair. Item fea...
Tapestry, Walnut
$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.).
Oak
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...
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...
Oak
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 ...
Fruitwood