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.
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
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
18th Century Italian Painted Corner Cabinet Depicting Saint John the Baptist
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful antique encoignure was created in Italy circa 1780. The triangular corner cabinet, which may also hang on a wall, features two bowed front doors hand-painted with a dra...
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
$5,048
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
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
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
18th Century Federal Oak Corner Cabinet / Cupboard
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th Century Federal Oak Corner Cabinet / cupboard. Measures 26.75" in width, 14.75" in depth, 36.75" in height. Side is 17.5" in depth.
Oak
$1,347Sale 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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking late 18th-century Gustavian period corner cabinet from Sweden, featuring the classic neoclassical elegance of the era. Crafted in two parts, the cabinet showcases paneled ...
Pine
$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
Georgian Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very nice early Georgian Mahogany hanging corner cupboard with two interior drawers. Very nice aged color and patina to the Mahogany in great condition. There is a hook that holds ...
Mahogany
$2,800
H 76.5 in W 33.5 in D 16.5 in
Antique English Jacobean Corner Cabinet Barley Twist Legs Oak Key TALL 1920s
Located in Tyler, TX
Antique English Jacobean Dark Oak Corner Cabinet with Open Shelves, Lower Cabinet and Key~~TALL~~c. 1920s Carved upper sides with 3 open shelves and p...
Oak
19th Century Swedish Corner Cupboard
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century Swedish two-part bowfronted 4 door corner cupboard with reeded panels. Dry scraped from most recent painted surface.
Wood, Pine, Paint
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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, 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