Renaissance Furniture
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.
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Late 17th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
1770s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Wood
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Steel
Mid-17th Century British Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Sandstone
1950s German Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Early 17th Century German Antique Renaissance Furniture
Steel
19th Century European Antique Renaissance Furniture
Silver
Early 1900s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Majolica
Late 19th Century American Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Walnut, Hardwood
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
1870s Antique Renaissance Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
1990s North American Renaissance Furniture
Mahogany
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
1850s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Earthenware
Early 18th Century English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Crystal, Gold Leaf, Gold
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century Renaissance Furniture
Bronze
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Earthenware, Clay, Maiolica
1790s Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Glass, Oak
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
19th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Glass, Oak
1870s French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
1990s North American Renaissance Furniture
Fabric, Wood
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Silver
Mid-17th Century German Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century German Renaissance Furniture
Porcelain
1990s North American Renaissance Furniture
Mahogany
1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Canvas, Paint
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Glass
1860s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Renaissance Furniture
Sandstone
Early 20th Century English Renaissance Furniture
Cast Stone, Bronze, Steel
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Limestone
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Glass, Walnut