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 Serpentine Marble Pedestal
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Antique Italian Marble Pedestal A serpentine marble pedestal stand produced around 1880 with carved fish and foliate, age related wear with a few chips and losses as to be expected ...
Marble
Pair of Antique Italian Walnut Pedestals with Winged Griffin Bases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian (19th Cent) walnut carved winged griffin base pedestals on square base.
Walnut
Rho Mobili D’Epoca Italian Renaissance Style Inlaid Pedestal Center Table
By Rho Mobili d'Epoca 1
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautiful side or center burl wood pedestal table by Rho Mobili D'Epoca in the Italian Renaissance style with a rope turned Corinthian leaf pedestal and brass claw feet. The top is i...
Brass
$6,500 / set
Pair of Italian Renaissance Style Pedestals
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of unusual Italian Renaissance style terracotta pedestals. Perfect as console table, dining table base or sofa table bases. Keywords: console table, neoclassical
Terracotta
$1,235 / item
NCMP013 Mahogany Dining Table Pedestal
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture, a high quality, solid mahogany dining table pedestal with solid brass capped feet. Ideal for use as replacements for vintage dining tables. Dovetailed joints,...
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Renaissance Turned Columns Pedestals in Walnut
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Renaissance turned columns pedestals in walnut with bronze details.
Bronze
19th Century Italian Venetian Floral Pedestals with Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Italian Venetian style (19th Cent) blue painted and floral decorated pedestals with faux marble top.
Marble
$4,600 / set
Pair of Italian Renaissance Style Pedestals
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of Italian Renaissance style terracotta pedestals. Add a top of your choice for a console, sofa table, a buffet sideboard, entr...
Terracotta
Hand-Carved English Renaissance Oak Lectern, Square Base, Circa 1890
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style (19/20th Cent) stained oak square based lectern with carved shield sides.
Oak
French 19th Century Renaissance Style Bronze and Ormolu Vide Poche Tazza/Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Renaissance style patinated bronze and ormolu side table or Vide Poche tazza. The tazza is raised by handsome patinated bronze hoof feet with or...
Bronze, Ormolu
Black Pedestal Column, Marble, Circa Late-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A black and white 'Nero Marquina' marble pedestal column or end/side/drinks table, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. Piece can be used to support art/sculpture, as a...
Marble
$2,092
H 41.34 in Dm 13 in
Tuscany 19th Century Renaissance Column Pedestal by Dini & Puccini in Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Tuscany original 19th century Renaissance column pedestal in walnut hand-crafted, by Dini & Puccini, polished to wax Measures cm: Height 105, diameter 33\25.
Walnut
$3,719
H 28.15 in Dm 16.74 in
Tommaso Barbi Octagonal Table Pedestal in Burl Wood and Brass, Italy, 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Incredible octagonal pedestal table designed and signed by Tomasso Barbi, this fantastic piece was produced in Italy in the 1970s. This gorgeous column is fully made in briarwood...
Brass
19th Century Antique Walnut Pedestal Column with Rustic Turned Design
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A beautiful antique wooden pedestal column, its body carved into an impressive twist, and featuring nicely turned upper and lower sections beneath a square display tray. The column s...
Walnut
$1,069Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in Dm 13.39 in
Chinese Hardwood Carved Pedestal Table with Marble Inlaid Top, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Chinese pedestal table. Striking Chinese design from the 1920s. hand carved "Hongmu" wood (Chinese hardwood) base with original multicolored marble inlaid top. T...
Hardwood
Black marble pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of black marble pedestals with the height of 39 inches and width of 10 inches.
Marble
Antique Small Marble Neoclassical Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique small marble Neoclassical pedestal is the ideal choice for displaying a small sculpture, vase, or objet d'art. It's also a good choice as a riser ...
Marble
Octagon Plaster Dining Table Pedestal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique octagonal pedestal, plaster over wood, faux finished to look like verdigris copper. Can be used as a table base or oversized pedestal. Base is in overall excellent vintage c...
Plaster
$1,195
H 26.5 in W 20.3 in D 20.3 in
French Black Patinated Wood Pedestal, Early 20th Century, Clean Lines
Located in High Point, NC
1900s French black patinated wood pedestal featuring clean lines and a subtly distressed finish that reveals hints of the natural wood beneath. Crafted with paneled sides and a sligh...
Wood
Antique Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal. This pedestal has four ornately carved legs with beautifully carved botanical elements around the apron and base. The...
Wood
Vintage Italian Column Shaped Marble Pedestal Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Column Shaped Marble Pedestal Stand Circa Mid 20th Century Dimensions: H 35” D 12"
Marble
$25,000
H 29 in W 144 in D 47.25 in
English Mahogany Triple Pedestal Dining Room Table with Orig. Paw Casters C 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany triple pedestal dining room table with three central fluted urn ringed pedestals, splayed reeded saber legs, and resting on the original lio...
Brass
Polychrome Holzfigur Mohrenfigur Blumensäule Renaissance-Stil um 1890
Located in Aachen, DE
Blumensäule des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts in der Gestalt einer renaissance-typischen Mohrenfigur. Höhe 108cm, die Farbfassung teilweise stark berieben, z.T. lose, der rückseitige...
Wood
17th Century French Oak Torchère Pedestal in Renaissance Style
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine quality 17th century torchère, or pedestal, with an elegantly turned column and deeply tiered circular base. The top surface is a flat polished disc with a finely carved and g...
Oak
Early 20th Century Carved Wood Renaissance Style Pedestal
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a dark wood tall pedestal. It depicts a quatrefoil shaped wood top hold up by four scalloped arcs, each one supported by two long legs that end in a scalloped arc attached to...
Wood
Sold
H 37.5 in W 20 in D 14 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Lion Bird Spiral Barley Walnut Plant Stand Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance lion bird spiral barley twist walnut plant stand pedestal. Item features lion head cravings, spiral barley twist column, ...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.73 in Dm 33.67 in
Pedestal Table/Side Table Originating From Denmark Made In Mahogany From 1860s
Located in Lejre, DK
The pedestal table or side table originating from Denmark and crafted from mahogany around the 1860s is a testament to the enduring beauty of Danish craftsmanship. This exquisite pi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 24.41 in Dm 23.63 in
19th Century Occasional Low Table Pedestal by Dini & Puccini Ebonized Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious antique 19th century occasional low table pedestal or coffee table in 20th century style by Dini and Puccini, Cascina Tuscany , in eb...
Walnut
Italian Renaissance Style Majolica Pedestal by Achille Mollica
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Renaissance style Majolica pedestal by Achille Mollica With exquisite typical polychromed Renaissance painted decoration Marked to the unders...
Majolica
Early 20th Century Renaissance Turned Columns Pedestals in Walnut
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Renaissance turned columns pedestals in walnut with bronze details We will restore the pieces before to be shipped.
Bronze
Sold
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
19th Century Renaissance Syle Carved Walnut Gueridon Table or Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian renaissance style gueridon table or pedestal table. The table presents a refined carving work in walnut wood. Cherub heads on either side of the top and...
Walnut
19th Century Renaissance Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Renaissance pedestal is the ideal platform for your statuary, vases, or objects d'art! Carved on the top and lower shelf, all fou...
Oak
Sold
H 55.91 in W 24.41 in D 15.75 in
Two Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Pedestal Cabinets
Located in London, GB
These pedestal-cabinets are sophisticated pieces of antique French furniture. They are crafted from ebonised wood which is inlaid with brass and mounted with decorative gilt bronze (...
Multi-gemstone, Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 49.22 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
18th Century Renaissance Pedestal Column Hand-Carved Walnut Restored Shallac
Located in Vigonza, Padua
18th century Renaissance pedestal column, hand-carved walnut, restored and finished shallac. Measure cm: H 125, W 22, D 22.
Walnut