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.
$2,805 / item
Leather Swan Arm Chair
Located in Annville, PA
This high end Leather Swan Arm Chair from Niagara Furniture is impressive with solid mahogany hand carved details as well as the full grain genuine leather upholstery. A great designer look with a solid and comfortable frame. Inspired by an antique chair...
Leather, Mahogany
$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
$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
$1,635 / item
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...
Mahogany
$1,645Sale Price|30% Off
H 45 in W 34 in D 28 in
Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Fauteuil Wingback Library Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mid to early 19th century German Biedermeier library / lounge armchair. Made of mahogany featuring traditional form with fauteuil padded arms and flared ear / wing back with...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Antique Carved Mahogany Upholstered Fireside Arm Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black Lacquer Marble Top Goatskin Drawers & Double Doors Liquor Silver Cabinet
Mahogany
$2,800
H 43.5 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Mid Century Queen Anne Mahogany High Wingback Arm Chair Floral Crewel
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning Queen Ann style high back chairs with raised floral stitching upholstery.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,925Sale Price|30% Off
H 47 in W 32.5 in D 32.5 in
Antique French Louis XVI Style Figural Carved Walnut Bergere Wingback Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Louis XVI style Bergere library wingback reading chair, circa 1890-1910. Made from walnut with a striking pediment featuring a quiver, arrows and torch amongst roses ...
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Blue Leather Wingback Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Generously proportioned antique wingchair with Mahogany frame and original blue leather upholstery. Serpentine top above a deep back, upholstered scroll arms with nail head detail th...
Metal
Vintage Leather Wing Chair
Located in New York, NY
Chic vintage Chippendale style leather wing chair, offered in as found condition. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, the leather upholstery shows significant cosmetic wea...
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Classic American Wing Back Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The classically elegant American wingback chair is upholstered for deep comfort in a green and yellow stripped faux satin fabric. The "knees" of the front legs of this wing chair feature stylized shells. Georgian Wing back chair...
Wood, Fabric
$4,150 / set
H 43 in W 27 in D 31.75 in
Pair, Gustavian Style Wingback Arm Chairs from Sweden, circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Graceful with a romantic air, this pair of Gustavian style wingback armchairs have delicate carving along the skirt skirt and rest on turned fluted legs. This pair of armchairs are r...
Linen, Wood, Paint
$695 / set
H 41 in W 32 in D 35 in
Frederick Edward Georgian Style Upholstered Wingback Lounge Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Frederick Edward Georgian Style Wingback Lounge Arm Chairs with Cherry Wood Legs - a Pair. Made in America with Pink, Green, and Beige Upholstery. Circa Late 20th Century. Me...
Fabric, Cherry
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 32.25 in D 32 in
Queen Anne Mahogany Fireside Upholstered Wingback Chair, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Queen Anne style fireside wingback chair offers upholstered chair with scroll form arms and raised on mahogany cabriole legs terminating in pad feet, 20th Century. Measures- 45''H...
Mahogany, Upholstery
$6,450 / set
H 34 in W 28 in D 28 in
1930s Art Deco Sculptural Pink Velvet Paul Follot Style Arm Chairs, Set of 2
By Paul Follot
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1930s with the exquisite chairs. The ultra rare chairs exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited ...
Upholstery, Wood
Leather Wingback Chair
Located in Delft, NL
A leather wingback chair A late 19th Century wingback chair in raw leather upholstery with dark oak Queen Anne front legs and straight oak rear legs. The bottom of the chair is we...
Leather, Oak
Italian Renaissance Style Carved Wingback Upholstered Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian Renaissance Style Carved Wingback Upholstered Armchair. Item features a solid carved wood frame, carved rolled arms, original label. Circa late 20th Century. Measurements: 44...
Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Rare Pair Italian Walnut Late Renaissance "Scranni" Chairs , 16th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Italian Late Renaissance walnut chairs of hexagonal form with paneled exterior and carved armrests, the seats above platforms, formerly sold by French & Co., New York. Scran...