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.
Italian Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Woodbury, CT
This handsome neoclassical table in cream paint and parcel-gilt has a fluted apron with foliate carvings while the rose marble top has a cream marble beaded edge. Perfectly sized for...
Marble
NVIN0527 Vintage Baker Serving Table
Located in Annville, PA
A great quality piece of furniture this Vintage Baker Serving Table will be the focal point of any area in your home. From the beautiful inlaid top with elegant brass handles to the ...
Mahogany
Italian Late 16th Century Renaissance Walnut Center or Library Table
Located in Troy, NY
Extraordinary, large Italian Renaissance table of strong, linear design. The thick 2-plank top with a narrow dentil edge, above a frieze cont...
Walnut
English Antiqued Serving Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered serving table, the galleried top and undertaker with a glass overlay, on spiral turned legs joined by an under tier fitted with two drawers, on ...
Wood
Elba Serving Table Ivory
Located in Milan, IT
Elba table has dimensions cm 70 x 46 x H 77, but since it's a pliant it can be stocked anywhere. This little but useful serving table has a tray made of horn, and the structure is ma...
Wood
Large English Potboard Serving Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large 19th C English 2 drawer pine potboard serving table. 1840
Pine
Coastal Long Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Coastal long console table with a white limestone top, wire-brushed cerused pine in our Sea Salt finish with two long drawers accented with four org...
Wood
$4,950
H 31.5 in W 48.82 in D 38.98 in
19th Spanish Carved Gargoyles Walnut Renaissance Library / Writing or Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
In grand, gothic style, this Spanish library / writing table has a deeply carved edge and this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the carving never really stops. It goes o...
Walnut
$4,478
H 30.32 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Vintage Antique Swedish Grace Serving Table "Westminster" by Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish Grace serving-table “Westminster” by NK, Nordiska Kompaniet, in Stockholm. Made in 1923 the “Westminster” collection was created to be timeless with excellent craftsmanship. ...
Birch
$34,850Sale Price|22% Off
H 42 in W 82 in D 25 in
Palatial Italian 18th Century Rococo Style Giltwood Carved Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial Italian 18th century Rococo style giltwood carved console table with a castracane marble top of serpentine outline, the friez...
Marble
$4,001Sale Price|23% Off
H 29.14 in W 38.59 in D 38.19 in
Antique 18th Century Square Walnut Swiss Renaissance Banker or Merchant Table
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful bankers or merchants table that was made in Switzerland around 1750. The table has a square 1.57 inch thick top made in solid walnut. The planks were joined by steel S-sh...
Walnut
$68,630
H 31.11 in W 44.89 in D 29.53 in
Rare German Rococo 18th Century Period Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very unusual and superb Rococo console table from the mid-18th century. On four carved legs with an X-shaped stretcher, overall with scrolls and dolphin-like sea creatures. This ex...
Marble
19th Century Italian Walnut Center Table Or Game Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Walnut Center Table Or Game Table. This unusual antique Italian Neoclassical style walnut center table or game table has a beautiful marquetry central inlaid de...
Walnut
$4,250
H 31.75 in W 47 in D 23.25 in
Italian Louis XV Center Table, Hand-Crafted Walnut, Circa 1760-1780
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century Italian Louis XV style center table or console from Torino. Bold design made from thick planks of solid walnut with ebonized trim and finished an all for sides so tha...
Walnut
Bronze Console with Brown or Black Leather Top
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Ballard, CA
The hand-sculpted bronze console is a hand forged and handcrafted edition with leather top or glass or stone , fastened by bronze sculpted nails; each piece is numbered and stamped. ...
Bronze
Sold
H 30.32 in W 48.04 in D 25.4 in
PAIR OF IMPORTANT 17TH CENTURY FRENCH RENAISSANCE SERViNG TABLES UNRESTORED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Rare and important pair of original French Renaissance period serving tables, they are 17th century examples with the original drawers The tables came to me in a very sorry state, t...
Oak
Maitland Smith Leather Top Serving Table
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture, a Maitland Smith Leather Top Serving Table in excellent condition, featuring a remarkably tooled, removable leather top which doubles as a serving tray. Both ...
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Console Serving Table Marble Top
Located in Buxton, GB
This Fabulous Antique French Serving or Console Table with Red Marble Top underneath the hatch. The style is of King Henri II and displays decorative barley twists posts. The Frenc...
Marble
European Scrubbed Pine Server
Located in Bradenton, FL
A large 19th century scrubbed pine serving table or sideboard. The three drawers carved with a geometric pattern. Can be used as a serving table, console or sofa table. The scrubbed ...
Pine
Italian Renaissance Three-Tier Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Introducing the Italian Renaissance three-tier console table, a stunning piece of furniture that will elevate any room in your home. Crafted from be...
Wood
Sold
H 40.5 in W 45.5 in D 17.25 in
Antique French Renaissance Carved Walnut and Marble Flip Top Server
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Renaissance carved walnut server with flip top opening to reveal shelf and marble top surmounting double drawers with cast bronze pulls and two lower shelves with turn...
Marble
Antique French Renaissance Carved Walnut Server, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Renaissance server with marble top, surmounting double drawer and double door cabinet with carved foliate and pyramidal elements flan...
Bronze
19th Century French Renaissance Marble-Top Dessert Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Renaissance marble-top dessert buffet has an open design providing three surfaces, with two drawers for convenience, each of the latter hand-carved to perfection ...
Marble
19th Century French Renaissance Carved Server
Located in Hixson, TN
An intricate highly carved oak Normandy server, circa 1850. Beautiful gadrooning, drawers feature mask faced handles, large cartouche door panels, barley twist supports, ample lower...
Oak, Wood
Grand 18th Century Renaissance Style Center Table or Console
Located in Birmingham, AL
Grand 18th century Renaissance style trestle base center table or console. Handcrafted of solid walnut by talented artisans near Florence, Italy, this rare and monumental table is po...
Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 51 in D 25.5 in
1750s Spanish Renaissance Style Dark Walnut Sofa Table with Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A mid-18th century Spanish Renaissance style dark walnut sofa table with two carved drawers, turned legs and cross stretcher. Born in Spain during the 1750s, this Renaissance style t...
Wood, Walnut