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
Italian Renaissance Revival Game Table, Ebony, 19th Century
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
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
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
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
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
$2,850Sale Price|26% 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 Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
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
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
$3,875
H 32 in W 31.5 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Carved Oak Sofa Side Table Petite Desk Renaissance Gothic
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Petite Desk Renaissance. Direct from France, an elegant, and petite, antique French carved sofa...
Oak
Round Game Table With Marquetry Top, 1940s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Charming mid-20th century Spanish game table featuring a beautifully inlaid chessboard top. The circular surface displays geometric marquetry motifs and a decorative border, all exec...
Wood, Hardwood
Victorian Handkerchief Envelope Game Table, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A handkerchief walnut table with cards rests and drawer in the Victorian style. Envelope cards and game table. Open table: 77,6 x 77,6 cm Closed table: 55,5 x 55,5 cm Perfect to c...
Metal
Beautiful 19th Century French Game Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful 19th century French game table, Louis XV style.
Walnut
19th Century Rosewood Game, Card Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a rosewood game, card table made in England, circa 1850. The top has rounded corners and a nicely molded edge. The top spins open to reveal storage for game pieces, cards, et...
Rosewood
$2,992
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
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
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