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.
Early 1900s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
1840s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Ebony, Oak, Rosewood
1990s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Silver
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
1840s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Renaissance Furniture
Wood
16th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Majolica
19th Century European Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Stone
20th Century Swedish Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Wood
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Wood
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Renaissance Furniture
Tapestry, Walnut
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Other
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Other
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Italian Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Murano Glass
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Wood
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1880s French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
1880s French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Gold, Silver
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Renaissance Furniture
Brass
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Silver
16th Century Unknown Antique Renaissance Furniture
Bronze, Metal, Silver
1990s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 18th Century Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble
19th Century European Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Renaissance Furniture
Wood
16th Century Belgian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wood
1870s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron