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.
$19,500 / item
Expandable Barley Twist Dining Table Made from Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This barley twist dining table is shown here in 108" x 40", expanding to 138", however it can be built in any size. Because each table is be...
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Tuscan Renaissance Walnut Dining Room Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rectangular, antique very long Tuscan Renaissance dining room table made of hand crafted Walnut, in good condition. The top of the Italian center table has a dark original patina w...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Italian Walnut Desk Table With Drawers Renaissance Revival 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Gorgeous Italian Solid Walnut Center Table with two Drawers and a single table top. Renaissance in style, the table was made using a period plank by building or reconstructing the u...
Nutwood
Expandable Dining Table Made from Rift Sawn Oak Custom Made By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classically designed dining table is seen here in 96" x 40", expanding to 120" and 144" however it can be built in any size. It can be taken apart and put back together in minut...
Oak
19th Century Long Rustic Work Console Table Kitchen Island
Located in Round Top, TX
This rustic work table is just under 10' long, reinforces with iron rods and bolts, and resting on eight legs. This long work table may serve as a unique kitchen island. This heavily...
Oak, Pine
$38,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 132 in D 49 in
In Stock Claro Walnut Bookmatched FIJN Dining Table
Located in Calgary, AB
A bookmatched pair of incredibly figured California Claro walnut set atop oversized turned legs. The table top has been meticulously patched with inlays and the occasional bowtie to...
Steel
Oak White MiMi Dining Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi dining table creates a slender, elegant profile punctuated with painted sur...
Birch, Oak, Plywood
$1,053
H 29.34 in W 90.95 in D 33.86 in
Dining Table Made In Teak With Extensions, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This Danish-designed dining table from the 1960s showcases the timeless elegance and functional craftsmanship synonymous with mid-century modern style. Crafted from teak, a favored m...
Teak
Oak White MiMi Dining Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi dining table creates a slender, elegant profile punctuated with painted sur...
Birch, Oak, Plywood
$6,900
H 30 in W 98.5 in D 39.5 in
Antique French Country Dining Table Farmhouse Pedestal Trestle Honey Oak 1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE and BEAUTIFUL Antique French Country Honey Oak Farmhouse Dining Table with Trestle Base and Radial Ends~~c. 1930s-40s This table offers beauty and unique charm~~one of our mo...
Oak
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Revival Trestle Table
Located in Forney, TX
A most distinctive antique, circa 1870, Portuguese Renaissance Revival carved walnut trestle table with beautifully aged warm, rich dark patina! Born in Portugal during the second h...
Walnut
19th Century Walnut Writing Desk with Drawers, 1870s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A classic wooden writing desk with multiple drawers, both on the tabletop riser and beneath. The turned legs and rich grain add to its antique appeal
Walnut
$2,295Sale Price|58% Off
H 29.75 in W 48 in D 29.5 in
19th Century Renaissance Revival Desk Library Table
Located in Savannah, GA
Very ornately carved Renaissance Revival rich golden oak desk or library table with leather insert, that we believe to be original. Features include a ...
Leather, Oak
$6,495
H 28.5 in W 41.75 in D 113.75 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Model 227 Expanding Danish Teak Dining Table, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler in the 1960s, the Model 227 is among the most ingenious expansion systems to emerge from the golden age of Danish cabinetmaking, and this ex...
Teak
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite mid-19th century Renaissance Revival center table showcases the fine craftsmanship and ornate detailing characteristic of the period. Expertly carved from rich walnut,...
Walnut
$7,500 / item
H 30 in W 84 in D 36 in
Bookmatched Walnut Dining Table with Black Steel Legs "Lafayette Dining Table"
By Anton Maka
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
The Lafayette dining table is made of a book-matched claro walnut top with a blackened steel base with walnut inserts. This piece has been finished in an extremely durable matte conv...
Steel
French Renaissance Table said "à l'italienne"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Measures: Closed length : 137 cm – opened lenght : 255 cm Beautiful table of the Second French Renaissance, said ‘à la du Cerceau’. It is in effect a model close to the projects d...
Walnut
Rare Renaissance Table from Hugues Sambin School
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Excellent state of condition This table has a movable top and supports as did the models from the Middle Ages, and yet presents a decorative dimension characteristic of the Renaissance furniture, which the riche and most inventive type was the “fan-shaped” table, probably coming from Italy. The central pilaster represents a term enriched by a foliage motif, including a laurel-crowned femal face on the first support and a male face on the second one. The high quality of this embossed work adds a touch of sophistication. Noteworthy, we can see on the backside of the fan-shaped supports, the same patterns as a lower relief, an extremely rare occurrence. This Ceremonial Table can be moved, and can be used following the occasions , like a small dinner or a grand reception for exemple. We can admit that this table with a movable top and fan shaped movables supports is the single model known today. Furthermore the richness of ornamentation, the carefulness and high quality of the sculpture denote that this table has its origin in Hugues Sambin...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 183 in D 35.5 in
17th Century Italian Refectory Table - Antique Large Walnut Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An important and oversized Tuscan Refectory table. The table top was carved by hand in a single dark Walnut plank and is adorned with carved Fle...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.25 in W 92 in D 36.25 in
Antique French Renaissance Figural Carved Long Library Table, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Renaissance library or conference table offers slab top over arched balustrade supports having flanking carved figures of ...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.75 in W 83 in D 35.38 in
French Renaissance Style Pine Library Conference Table with Drawer, Early 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Renaissance style pine library conference table with block top having single drawer with pyramidal facing, raised on turned legs with H-stretcher, early 20th century. ...
Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 71 in D 35.68 in
Antique French Renaissance Barley Twist Walnut Conference Table, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Renaissance carved walnut library table raised on barley twist balustrade legs with stylized H-stretcher and bun feet, 20th century. Measures: 29.5" H x 71" W x 35....
Walnut
Antique Rustic Renaissance Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique rustic Renaissance table also will make a great conference table, circa 1870s. Measures: 31 H x 99.5 W x 30.5 D.