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.
Antique Italian Walnut Console Desk Side Table with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table console desk with four beautiful walnut carved legs connected to one another with central decorated stretchers and detailed by the b...
Wood
Ornate Italian Pietra Dura Marble Top Game Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Ornate Italian Pietra Dura Marble Top Game Table. Rectangular Sienna marble top table with pietra dura inlaid chess board. Foliate scroll ca...
Marble
Italian Renaissance Revival Penwork Game Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance Revival (19th Century) ebony and penwork game table with square top on three barley twist uprights and lions paw feet.
Ebony
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
Mid Century Leather Top Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern leather top square game table. The gilt-tooled leather top is ready for play, with pivoting hinged drawers on the fr...
Leather, Wood
$2,450
H 24.41 in W 16.74 in D 16.74 in
Italian Art Deco Burl Walnut Coffee Side Table with Ebonized Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Art Deco octogonal side table, circa 1930s. Narrow ebonized feet and round finial at center base set off the figured walnut. Lower smaller round tier. Unknown maker
Burl
$3,050Sale Price|21% Off
H 24.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid-Etched Brass Lamp Table or Side Table, 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s brass lamp / side table or game table base (with glass top) features acid-etched artistry by Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft. Similar to the 'Trilobi' tables, also by Master...
Brass
$3,242Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.91 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
German Biedermeier Walnut and Maple Marquetry Chess Table, circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant German Biedermeier chess table made around 1830. The table is crafted in walnut veneer with a beautifully inlaid marquetry chessboard made of walnut and maple. The craftsmans...
Walnut, Maple, Spruce
$4,500
H 27.5 in W 32.75 in D 21.75 in
Regency Period Painted Game Table with Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Regency period game table features a finely painted wooden base in a rich, time-softened green patina, showcasing the refined decorative taste of the early 19th century....
Marble
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
English Mahogany Marquetry Drop Leaf Side Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, English Regency, drop-leaf, mahogany side table with symmetrical marquetry, boxwood inlay work and beautifully curved saber legs. The table extends from 7.5 - 26 inches deep ...
Boxwood, Mahogany
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders. An object of the highest quality. Inside compartments a...
Brass
$3,018
H 24.02 in W 24.22 in D 24.22 in
Antique Hexagonal Side or Center Walnut Table with Six Carved Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Octogonal side table with Solomonic legs and carved top and carved edges. The table has an X-Shape Solomonic stretcher . Restored and very functional piece.
Walnut
Italian Vintage Game Table
Located in Milano, IT
This rare 1970s game table is a true celebration of elegance and the craftsmanship of Italian design. Made from fine ebonized wood and enriched with brass details that create a refin...
Brass
Italian Walnut Game Table, Louis XV Style, Flip Top, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis XV style Italian walnut game table with flip top and side pull out extensions. One side of top is plain and the other side is inlaid chess board.
Walnut
Sold
H 27.56 in W 32.29 in D 16.15 in
Antique Italian Walnut Burl Inlay Chess Games Side Table with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut games side table with inlay chess game and framed top over four beautifully walnut Bobbin turned twisted carved side legs, connected to one ano...
Wood
NVIN0501 Vintage Inlaid Mahogany Game Table
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Inlaid Mahogany Game Table featuring a beautifully shaped top with fine quality mahogany grain and inlays and banding throughout. Designed after an antique original this Vi...
Mahogany
Antique Italian Walnut Side Table Console with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table or console with four beautiful walnut carved legs, detailed by the beveled top and conic feet. The front is decorated as a drawer bu...
Wood
PAIR of Landstrom Mahogany Game Tables
Located in Annville, PA
A PAIR of Landstron Mahogany Game Tables featuring beautifully shaped tops with fine quality mahogany grain and a double banded inlaid edge. Designed after an antique original this...
Mahogany
Vintage Brandt Mahogany Game Table
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Brandt Mahogany Game Table featuring a beautifully shaped top with fine quality mahogany grain and a banded herringbone inlaid edge. Designed...
Mahogany
Vintage Brandt Mahogany Game Table
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Brandt Mahogany Game Table featuring a beautifully shaped top with fine quality mahogany grain and a banded herringbone inlaid edge. Designed...
Mahogany
Antique Italian Walnut Desk Side Table with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table with four beautiful walnut cabriole carved legs connected to one another with central stretchers and detailed by the shaped corners,...
Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 33.47 in D 17.72 in
Antique Italian Walnut Burl Inlay Chess Games Side Table with Cabriole Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut games side table with inlay chess game, central drawers and beveled edges over four beautiful walnut cabriole legs with inlay decorated wood an...
Brass
Sold
H 25.6 in W 30.71 in D 16.54 in
Antique Italian Walnut Burl Inlay Chess Games Side Table with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut games side table with inlay chess game over four beautifully walnut cabriole carved legs, connected to one another with central stretchers. Thi...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Carved Walnut Antique Game Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare beautiful antique game table in precious hand carved walnut wood. When the table is closed, the table becomes smaller and can be used as an elegant center table. This majestic t...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.5 in W 35.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Game Hall Table Barley Twist Louis XIII Flip Top
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from France ~ Gorgeous hand carvings on this carved French side/sofa/hall table that actually was created to function as a game table, with the swivel/flip top that opens t...
Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 36 in L 29.5 in
Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Carved Walnut Console Folding Game Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II style console table features carved details on all sides of a stylized egg and dart motif with central scalloped shells and acanthus leaves at ...
Felt, Walnut