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.
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 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
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
English Mahogany Serving Table with Drawers
Located in Faversham, GB
A Victorian mahogany side or serving table with a shallow rectangular three-quarter gallery. Below a pair of smooth running frieze drawers on slender turned legs. The table is of a...
Mahogany
18th Century Carved Walnut Renaissance Style Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spectacular 18th Century Carved Walnut Renaissance Style Library Table - dining table. With a rectangular top concealing draw leaves at eithe...
Walnut
$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
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
18th Century Italian Inlaid Walnut Center Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Italian Wooden Center table. Table features a hexagonal top, double bands of parquetry string inlay and a molded edge. Rococo design features splayed legs adorned with i...
Wood
$5,550Sale Price|40% Off
H 33.5 in W 75 in D 24 in
1940s French Onyx Marble and Gilt Mahogany Console Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A grand French mahogany and parcel-gilt console table, circa 1940s, the shaped onyx marble atop a serpentine-shaped frieze, raised on four legs with fluted details, possibly Maison J...
Marble
$2,664Sale Price|44% Off
H 30.5 in W 42 in D 19 in
19th Century Italian Carrara Marble and Iron Console from Lucca – Indoor/Outdoor
Located in IT
This 19th-century Italian Carrara marble and iron console, from Lucca, Italy, is a stunning piece of antique craftsmanship. The iron frame, with a touch of rust from outdoor use, com...
Marble, Iron
A Fine Irish Mahogany Marble Top Console Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Irish Mahogany Marble Top Console Table 18th Century With a rectangular marble insert over a finely carved frieze, all resting on cabriole legs ending in pad feet. He...
Mahogany
Baker Serving Table with Removable Tray and Butterfly Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Butler tray table, with folding X-base, in original light walnut finish from Baker Furniture. Two flush panel mahogany butterfly leaves unfold from the centre on heavy brass hinges...
Brass
$6,795
H 29 in W 60 in D 20.5 in
Maison Jansen Signed Rococo Carved Server Console Table w Serpentine Marble Top
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous carved serpentine console base dark green heavily veined marble. In the Rococo style with fabulous carvings on the legs and apron. Stamped Jansen in the walnut apron inside ...
Marble
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