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 French Carved Oak Barley Twist Sofa Table Corinthian Renaissance c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a very unique antique French carved oak table~ ~Four large columns, each consisting of four separate barley twist posts set...
Oak
Pair Of 17th Century Oak Bedside Tables Or Sofa Ends
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely pair of oak bedside tables or end tables from the 17th century Renaissance period. The two bedside tables are actually a Renaissance column cut in two. Two small oak trays ha...
Oak
$2,185 / item
Dropside Sofa Table
Located in Annville, PA
This is another item in the Niagara Furniture lyre collection, our Dropside Sofa Table has a beautifully crafted top featuring figural mahogany and sati...
Mahogany
Carved Oak Barley Twist Console Table with Shelves, 1890s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Antique carved oak console table featuring finely turned barley twist legs and rich floral carving to the apron. The piece is fitted with two functional drawers at the front and a li...
Hardwood, Oak
$2,700
H 45 in W 54 in D 23.5 in
Antique French Table Hall Entry Console Sofa Table Two Drawers Oak C. 1890s
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique French Renaissance revival oak entry, hall table, sofa table or console with drawers ~~c. 1890s Charming table with two drawers and carved crown~~perfect for use ...
Oak
ZETA Expanding Sofa Table
Located in Portland, OR
Trestle sofa table with crisp yet soft and warm lines perfect for transition, mid-century modern, and contemporary dining rooms and living rooms. Compact when leaf is folded down, a...
Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Tortoiseshell Laminate Parsons Sofa Table
Located in Redding, CT
Tortoiseshell Laminate Parsons Sofa Table. Nice jeweled earth tones , in excellent condition. Matching coffee table and two end tables are also available.
Formica, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Mid-20th century French table.
Metal
Antique English Barley Twist Table
Located in Nashville, TN
Gorgeous antique English barley twist table! The table is made from oak and has a lovely dark finish and beautiful patina. The turned spiral legs a...
Wood
$18,900
H 30.125 in W 111.25 in D 30 in
A Long 17th Century Carved Oak Baluster Leg Table from Flanders
Located in Dallas, TX
At over nine feet long, this sumptuous oak baluster leg table was hand-carved with an H-stretcher in Flanders, circa 1680. Long tables such as these...
Oak
Pair of Mastercraft Style End Tables
By Mastercraft
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant pair of Mastercraft style Mid-Century end tables features intricate eight legged octagonal design. Burl wood tops with inset glass look great in any seating setting, for...
Burl, Glass
$19,000 / item
H 30 in W 120 in D 40 in
Expandable Barley Twist Dining Table in Vintage Walnut, By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom dining table has barley twist legs made from reclaimed walnut. The base has a darker finish and the top is bleached with satin lacquer finish. The barley twist legs are masterfully hand-carved to perfect mirror image spirals. As shown, the table is 40 x 100 x 30...
Walnut
Circulo Oak Sofa Table
Located in Manchester, GB
Wood sofa table and side table handcrafted in English Oak by award winning designer and maker Gareth 'Goldfinch' Brookes in his traditional Manchester studio. This lightweight and ea...
Oak
$2,585
H 35 in W 85 in D 50 in
20th century design low abstract ceramic sofa or coffee table circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Unique Piece - signed French 20th century design Low ceramic coffee or sofa table realised circa 1960 White and grey abstract square decoration Signed Original perfect conditio...
Ceramic
Regency Rosewood Sofa Table
Located in Huntington, NY
Regency rosewood sofa table Rosewood veneered over English oak. Warmly patinated color with wood knobs and brass casters.
Brass
French Burl and Iron Console
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Caledonia burl wood and wrought iron console table. Dimensions: 84" W x 21" D x 31 5/8" H.
Wrought Iron
Late 16th C. Spanish Walnut Console Thick Walnut Top
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Late 16th c. / solidly 17th c. Spanish walnut console with 2” thick walnut top. Walnut Measures: H: 31 D: 25 W: 80.5.
Walnut
Henri II Table in Walnut from the 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and original Henri II oval table in walnut from the 19th century Very beautiful table with a one-piece walnut top and a very beautiful columned base connected by a spacer ...
Walnut
French Renaissance Style Library Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine French Renaissance walnut carved library table. This elaborately carved table is a wonderful homage to the early European craftsman. The Fine table is decorated with carvi...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.75 in W 40.75 in D 29 in
19th century French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak dolphin sofa table desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c ~Direct from France~ An elegant antique French carved library table or "burea...
Oak
Sold
H 27.5 in W 45 in D 29.75 in
Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c ~Direct from France~ An elegant antique French carved library table or "burea...
Oak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 62.5 in D 21.25 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Style Solid Carved Walnut Console, Florence 1820
Located in Encinitas, CA
Exceptional Renaissance style hand carved detail is exhibited in this solid Italian walnut console, with dentil decoration under the slab top with end frames. Elegant Corinthian colu...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.25 in W 55.25 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Carved Foyer Sofa Table Renaissance Marble Planter Hercules Lion
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved foyer sofa table Renaissance marble planter Hercules lion ~Direct from France~ ~Gorgeous, heavily carved antique foyer or sofa ...
Marble
Sold
H 27.25 in W 23 in D 18.25 in
19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Sofa Side Table Renaissance Black Forest
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century Petite French carved oak sofa side table Renaissance Black Forest ~Direct from France~ ~A wonderful antique French carved oak table...
Oak
Sold
H 24.5 in W 33.25 in D 20.25 in
Antique French Carved Oak Sofa Side Accent Table Renaissance Cherub Trestle
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak sofa side accent table Renaissance Cherub Trestle ~Direct from France~ ~Lovely antique French side table, generously carv...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 46.5 in D 31 in
19th century French Carved Oak Desk Sofa Side Table Dolphin Renaissance Gothic
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak desk sofa side table dolphin Renaissance Gothic ~Direct from France~ ~An elegant antique French carved oak library table ...
Oak
Italian Inlaid Stone and Marble Pietra Dura Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stunning white marble with stone inlay Pietra Dura trestle table. The inlaid top with vibrantly colored inlaid store resting on two shapely bases with matched inlay. The inner corner...
Marble, Carrara Marble