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.
Circa 1900 Honey Neo-Renaissance Altar-Style Shop Counter on Casters
Located in High Point, NC
This piece presents as a cabinet, distinguished by natural honey oak, turned wood knob accents. Dating to 1900s and originating from France, it reflects the design sensibilities of i...
Oak
Early 19th Century French Renaissance Carved Oak Dry Bar with Tole Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a wine cellar, library, or entertaining space with this exceptional antique dry bar, crafted in France circa 1820. Executed in the Renaissance Revival taste, the substantial ...
Sheet Metal
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Russian Style Polychromed Lacquer Dry Bar /Tauntless with 2 crystal Decanters
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Russian Style Polychromed Lacquer Dry Bar/Tauntless with 2 Crystal Decanters, European, Circa 1950s This stunning Russian-style polychromed lacquer dry bar, dating from the 1950s, i...
Crystal
$2,980
H 43.75 in W 25.75 in D 20.5 in
Vintage French Oak Flip-Top Confiturier, Cabinet, Cupboard or Dry Sink, or Bar
Located in Highwood, IL
Endless possibilities abound in this special French Confiturier, Small Cupboard. Constructed of solid oak with raised panels, a full door hinge, and a wonderful flip open top, give t...
Oak
$6,556Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 79.53 in W 55.12 in D 22.84 in
Rare Italian Mid-Century Walnut Dry Bar Cabinet with Hammered Copper Top
Located in Antwerp, BE
This exceptional Italian bar cabinet, originating from Rome, is a striking example of sophisticated mid-century Italian craftsmanship. Designed as a two-piece ensemble, the mobile lower bar seamlessly rolls into the wall unit, creating an elegant and highly functional composition. The cabinet is distinguished by its beautifully sculpted geometric doors, each inset with faceted smoked glass panels that catch and reflect the light, giving the piece a refined architectural presence. The rich walnut veneer, combined with the dramatic hammered copper countertop...
Brass, Copper, Metal
Milo Baughman Style Burl Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in San Francisco, CA
Milo Baughman style two door cabinet or dry bar featuring burl olive wood doors supported by a cast aluminum floating base and a stained walnut case. Fitted interior consists of a si...
Aluminum
Coastal Style Rattan Dry Bar/ Serving Cart. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Boho Chic / Coastal Style Rattan Dry Bar/ Serving Cart in the Franco Albini's Manner. Circa 1970s Features a two-tiered frame with ornate accents and handles at both sides. I...
Bamboo, Rattan
$4,470Sale Price|40% Off
H 45.67 in W 63 in D 21.66 in
Vintage Dry Bar With Jean Dunand Style Panter And Cobra Varnished Decor
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage dry bar with Jean Dunand style panter and cobra decor. The bar is created in wood and plywood and metal elements. The front part decor - painting, also black color top are va...
Metal
Vintage Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Dry Bar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite mid-century dry bar is a masterful example of Chinoiserie artistry, featuring a deep black lacquer finish that serves as a dramatic canvas for its intricate ornamentat...
Wood, Lacquer
Rare and Elegant French Directoire Painted Shop Counter, C. 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The piece features a paneled front and an open back fitted with a single small drawer over shelves, offering both display and storage. Its narrow depth makes it exceptionally versati...
Wood, Paint
$3,675
H 73.25 in W 42 in D 18 in
Custom Dry Bar Cabinet in Tortoiseshell Lacquer With Greek Key Motif Circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
A unique custom made lighted dry bar or media cabinet, ca. late 1970s, in faux tortoiseshell lacquer with a Greek key motif of inset polished aluminum panels. Features a lighted uppe...
Aluminum
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 53 in D 20 in
1980s Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1980s Vintage Karl Springer Ltd Modern Dry Bar Service Cabinet Lacquered Leather Goatskin Creamy Parchment Wood and Brass 36 h x 53 w...
Leather, Wood, Parchment Paper, Goatskin
$12,609
H 44.1 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Attractive bar counter with its glasses shelf, Namur, Belgium, circa 1920
Located in Paris, FR
Attractive pitchpin bar counter with marble top, accompanied by its pitchpin glasses shelf. The back of the counter features a large shelf and a drawer. It is adorned with the manufa...
Marble, Copper
$1,123Sale Price|50% Off
H 51.19 in W 24.81 in D 14.57 in
19th Century French Marble Top Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century French mahogany cabinet in Louis XVI style with geometric patterns on both front and sides. The top surface is made ...
Marble
$6,524
H 43.71 in W 66.93 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Bar Counter, Teak Wood, Metal, Travertine, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Regensburg, DE
Stunning mid-century bar counter in teak wood, metal, and travertine, from Italy, circa 1970. * Curved, tapered diamond shape design. * Teak wood veneer and lacquered finish. * Chrom...
Travertine, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 41.3 in W 51.2 in D 23.2 in
Circa 1900 Honey Neo-Renaissance Altar-Style Shop Counter on Casters
Located in High Point, NC
This piece presents as a cabinet, distinguished by natural honey oak, turned wood knob accents. Dating to 1900s and originating from France, it reflects the design sensibilities of i...
Oak
Antique Hand-Carved Bar Pub Counter with Brass Foot Rest
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Antique hand-carved bar counter with brass foot rest and a swing door with brass hinges. The bar is dissasembles and comes with the pieces shown in the pictures (a corner piece and t...
Brass
Sold
H 38.59 in W 39.77 in D 18.51 in
Italian Renaissance Style Art Deco MidCentury Carved Walnut Burl Dry Bar Cabinet
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Renaissance style drinks dry bar cabinet with beautiful carved walnut wood, slant central door and nicely shaped bottom pedestal stand. The piece has all around ...
Wood
Vintage Giemme Bar Cabinet
Located in Annville, PA
The Vintage Giemme Bar Cabinet was produced in Italy and is brought to you now by Niagara Furniture. The bar cabinet has a lot of great features that combine to make it a show stoppe...
Wood
Vintage Giemme Bar Cabinet
Located in Annville, PA
The Vintage Giemme Bar Cabinet was produced in Italy and is brought to you now by Niagara Furniture. The bar cabinet has a lot of great features that combine to make it a show stoppe...
Wood
Sold
H 41.5 in W 79 in D 29 in
Early 19th Century French Renaissance Style Metal Top Carved Oak Bar Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and exceptional antique bar cabinet was crafted in southern France circa 1820. Built of solid oak wood, the heavy cabinet stands on a botto...
Sheet Metal
19th Century Italian Renaissance Court Bar Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive Italian Renaissance Revival two piece court cabinet. Born in Italy during the second half of the 19th century, handcrafted of solid walnut, masterfully carved, later fitted with early 20th century hardware and fashioned as cocktail drinks bar cabinet. The exceptionally executed antique, circa 1875, having a substantial cornice with elaborate decorative molding, rising above two wrought iron scrolled doors, opening to reveal inner copper and tin cupboard fitted with two shelves, flanked by ornate high relief carvings; featuring two hidden pull out copper tray slides that create the perfect work surface for mixing drinks, chilling, and serving; above single drawer with metal pulls; over a pair of carved doors with centralized floral accents, opening to two shelves, accessory holders and open interior storage space; terminating in bracket feet. Dimensions: (approx) 61.25" high, 25.5" wide, 14" deep Pull out trays: 16" First seen in the early 16th Century in Tudor homes and great halls, antique court cupboards...
Copper, Iron, Tin
Sold
H 49.61 in W 42.52 in D 14.97 in
1920's North European Antique Carved Dry Bar / Drinks Cabinet Renaissance Style
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful oak Renaissance style dry bar / drinks cabinet made in the north of Europe in the 1920's. The cabinet is made of European oak and consists two drawers and two doors to ent...
Oak
Sold
H 45.28 in W 38.19 in D 13.78 in
1920's Spanish / South Europe Carved Dry Bar / Drinks Cabinet Renaissance Style
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful Renaissance style dry bar / drinks cabinet made in the south of Europe in the 1920's. The cabinet is made of European oak and consists two drawers and two doors to enter t...
Metal
19th Century Italian Renaissance Bar in Hand-Carved Walnut
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Italian Renaissance bar in hand-carved walnut is so superior to the expense and look of built-in assemblies, and you can take them...
Walnut
Sold
H 57 in W 33 in D 14.5 in
Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Renaissance Style Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in Fayetteville, AR
A finely hand-carved piece from the late 19th century, this French walnut Renaissance style cabinet features an upper compartment detailed with three fluted square ionic columns. The...
Walnut
Sold
H 74.5 in W 49 in D 17.5 in
French Hand-Carved Walnut and Elm Renaissance Style Secretary-Bookcase, Dry Bar
Located in Fayetteville, AR
A rare piece from the region of Alsace, France, this hand-carved walnut and elm Renaissance style secretary-bookcase or bibliothèque features a drop down front hidden behind four false drawers in the upper cabinet, revealing a red velvet interior. A commissioned addition in the 19th century, the upper cabinet with two adjustable shelves features barley twist columns crowned in Corinthian capitals, as well as a high relief carved cornice. Three different variations of the Green Man, a symbol of rebirth and spring, are carved at the base of the columns. The lower buffet with a single interior shelf dates to the eighteenth century and has turned columns as well as recessed panels of burl elm. The piece is finished with iron hinges and escutcheons and rests on claw feet. This unusual find would also be ideal as a dry bar with glassware displayed...
Velvet, Elm, Walnut, Burl