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.
2010s American Renaissance Furniture
Wood, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Limestone
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Scagliola, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Griotte Marble, Siena Marble
1820s Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Terracotta
1980s North American Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Mahogany
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
1850s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
2010s Chinese Renaissance Furniture
Wool
1990s Italian Renaissance Furniture
Onyx, Marble
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
20th Century French Renaissance Furniture
Wrought Iron
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
1910s American Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Enamel
1890s English Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Furniture
Metal
16th Century European Antique Renaissance Furniture
Other
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Enamel
1890s French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Tapestry, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Marble
1620s French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Italian Renaissance Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
2010s Renaissance Furniture
Mahogany
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Ebony, Oak
1990s American Renaissance Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1920s French Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Renaissance Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Alabaster
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Ebony, Satinwood, Burl
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Marble
16th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Tin
17th Century Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Giltwood
1930s Italian Vintage Renaissance Furniture
Beech, Birch, Birdseye Maple, Walnut, Lacquer
1720s Dutch Antique Renaissance Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Renaissance Furniture
Carrara Marble, Steel
17th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Walnut
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century French Renaissance Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Renaissance Furniture
Wool
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Metallic Thread
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Gold Leaf
17th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Furniture
Canvas
16th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Furniture
Other