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 French Double Door Cabinet Cupboard Carved Honey Oak Drawer early 20th
Located in Tyler, TX
ELEGANTLY Carved Antique French Honey Oak Cabinet with Double Doors and Drawer~~c. early 20th century Beautiful, canted corners and carved double doors with full length upp...
Oak
Henkel Harris Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a vintage Henkel Harris Mahogany Corner Cabinet in very good condition. A Henkel Harris Mahogany Corner Cabinet brought ...
Mahogany
$3,265 / set
Rare Pair of 19th-century Portuguese Columns.
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Pair of 19th-century Portuguese Columns. Made of oak wood with a zoomorphic shape. Signs of use. Dimensions: 117 x 37 x 38 cm Good condition
Wood
Vintage Kittinger Corner Mahogany Stand
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a Vintage Kittinger Corner Mahogany Stand. While petite and elegant this faithful antique reproduction is also sturdy and strong. Great quality construction is...
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Painted Corner Cabinet with Biblical Court Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Richly painted and highly unusual, this antique Italian corner cabinet was crafted circa 1780. The bow-front encoignure features two paneled doors decorated with a vivid biblical cou...
Wood
Antique Italian circa 1880 Hardwood, Boxwood Inlay Mirrored Back Corner Cabinet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Italian inlaid Rosewood with Boxwood accents Victorian circa 1880 small corner cupboard with origi...
Mirror
$3,488Sale Price|24% Off
H 76 in W 31 in D 17 in
Superb Antique English Marquetry Inlaid Art Nouveau Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptional antique English marquetry inlaid late 19th century Art Nouveau mahogany corner cabinet with wonderful stylized inlays of the Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau period. Original ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Fine Quality Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner cupboard having an elegant swan neck pediment with pierced fretwork and very desirable inlay decoration, ogee shaped cornice, single gla...
Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th century Dutch mahogany corner cupboard with a moulded arched cornice, the top section having two paneled doors with shaped and moulded beading around the panels, opening to reveal three fixed shelves and a drop down flap at the bottom of the cupboard, the bottom section also having two paneled doors with shaped and moulded beading around the panels, opening to reveal a single fixed shelf inside, the corner cupboard...
Mahogany
$5,118
H 45.75 in W 30 in D 21 in
Georgian Mahogany Bowfront Corner Cupboard with Satinwood Inlay, 1790
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Exceptional Quality Late 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Hanging Corner Cupboard, Of Bowfronted Form, Having Satinwood Crossbanded ...
Satinwood
19th-C. French Corner Cabinet
Located in Ballard, CA
A single door painted French corner cabinet in the Louis XVI style. Made out of pine wood painted with light gray/blue and cream accents. Feature...
Iron
$4,130Sale Price|30% Off
H 59.5 in W 43 in D 17 in
Faux Bamboo Pine Cupboard with Drawer over 2 Doors, Early 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Faux bamboo pine cupboard.
Pine
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Display Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner display cabinet having a mahogany gallery top with satinwood inlay, single inlaid mahogany astragal glazed door opening to reveal two shelves standing on shaped spade legs...
Other
$1,357Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.51 in W 32.09 in D 22.25 in
Teak Mid-Century Modern Corner Cabinet or Cupboard, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern corner cabinet or cupboard. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Solid teak and teak veneer. Three original drawe...
Teak
$10,834 / set
H 97.25 in W 55.91 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Corner Cabinets Poplar Piacenza Italy 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of big corner cabinets with rudentate pillars that end with pyramidal truncated feet and with a two-panels door. Their have ivory and blue lacquered frames on the panels while t...
Poplar
$25,400Sale Price|27% Off
H 56.5 in W 47.25 in D 33.25 in
'Pompeiana' Corner Cabinet by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 2 of 2 in 1988, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 'much larger than it looks' collectors item is the 'Pompeiana' corner cabinet by Piero Fornasetti, completed in 1988, signed, dated and numbered 2 of 2. Fornasetti cabinets, es...
Brass
$3,375
H 76 in W 48 in D 14 in
Exemplary 18th Century Paint Decorated Corner Cabinet, Christie's Provenance
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With a Christies, New York auction sticker on the back. The cabinet with carved cornice and openwork frieze. Carved sinuous floral vine supports flank the glass door with mullions in a light brown stain. The interior in pale green paint with three shelves. The lower cabinet with metal mounts (broken...
Glass, Wood
English Edwardian Style Mahogany Inlaid Corner Cabinet
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Vintage English Edwardian Style Mahogany Inlaid Corner Cabinet Dimensions : 84" Tall X 41" Wide X 24" Deep This corner cabinet was made in the UK in the English Edwardian style. Th...
Mahogany
NVIN0529 Vintage Henkel Harris Mahogany Corner Closet
Located in Annville, PA
This Vintage Henkel Harris Mahogany Corner Closet, brought to you by Niagara Furniture is manufactured using solid mahogany on all exposed surfaces and a plywood back. The attentio...
Mahogany
Carved cupboard, France, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Carved cupboard, France, circa 1880. Very good condition. Wood: oak dimensions : h. 208 cm w. 95 cm d. 60 cm.
Oak
Sold
H 59 in W 42 in D 22.5 in
Antique French Corner Cabinet Cupboard Storage with Drawer Key Oak TALL 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Carved Antique French Oak Corner Cabinet with Drawer and Key~~TALL~~c. 1890s-1900 Carved door with upper drawer and key~~two...
Oak
Rare 18th Century Flemish Hand Painted Wood Corner Cabinet
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare and beautiful 18th century hand painted corner cabinet with rounded front having meticulously rendered royal court scene. Inside there are shelves for storage. The top sits on...
Wood
Carved Cupboard, France, circa 1880
Located in Chorzów, PL
Carved cupboard, France, circa 1880. Very good condition. Wood: oak dimensions : h. 208 cm w. 95 cm d. 60 cm.
Oak
Sold
H 60 in W 27.25 in D 19 in
19th century Petite Antique English Corner Cabinet Carved Oak British Bookcase
Located in Choudrant, LA
Petite 19th century Antique English Corner Cabinet Carved Oak British Bookcase Shelf. From our most recent English container, and one of our favo...
Oak
Sold
H 38 in W 41.5 in D 30.25 in
Antique French Corner Cabinet Cupboard Canted Corners Renaissance Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFULLY CARVED Antique French Oak CORNER Cabinet, Bookcase, Display or Storage Cabinet ~~c. 1880s Full of classic French style~~charmi...
Oak
Sold
H 71.5 in W 36.5 in D 26.25 in
19th century French Carved Corner Cabinet Black Forest Open Shelves Bookcase
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French Carved Corner Cabinet Black Forest Open Shelves Bookcase. Direct from France, a beautifully hand carved corner cabinet, a...
Oak
Unique Corner Cabinet, France, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Unique corner cabinet, France, circa 1890. Very good condition. Wood: oak Measures: H. 101 cm W. 121 cm D. 77 cm.
Oak
Sold
H 34.25 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Corner Cabinet Renaissance Petite Arched Front
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French carved oak corner cabinet renaissance petite arched front. Direct from France, a beautifully hand carved corner cabinet, in a petite size, perfect for placement ...
Oak
Renaissance Corner Display from Around 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Renaissance corner display from around 1870. Very good condition. Wood: walnut Dimensions: height 237 cm, width 93 cm, depth horn 65 cm.
Walnut
Antique Corner Cabinet, Scandinavia, circa 1910
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique corner site from the early 20th century. Dimensions: Height 155 cm / width 90 cm / depth 53 cm.
Mahogany