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.
17th Century French Carved and Turned Oak Torchère Pedestal
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive French oak torchère or pedestal dating from the 17th century, distinguished by its tall, elegant proportions and richly worked architectural form. Standing 132.5 cm hig...
Oak
Spanish Round Carved Wood Side Table with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Charming Spanish round side table crafted from wood, featuring an elegant circular top and beautifully carved floral decoration around the apron. The table is supported by four dist...
Hardwood, Oak
$1,700 / item
Oak and Handcarved Marble Side Table
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
Florence side table, This table is inspired in the floors of one of our favorite Palaces in Florence. We reinterpreted the complex forms of the marble to more simple lines so they...
Marble
$14,500 / set
18th Century Italian Walnut Desk and Three Chairs
Located in Hixson, TN
A marvelous 18th century Italian writing table with the three chairs from Florence, Italy. This desk is an example of country Italian furniture. Simple but elegant. Strong but utilit...
Italian Renaissance Walnut Dining Table with Scalloped X-Bar Stretcher
Located in Queens, NY
20th century Italian Renaissance style walnut center / dining table with a scalloped X-bar stretcher and legs having a cabriole top over a tapered square design.
Walnut
Expandable Dining Table in Rift-Sawn Oak, Custom Made by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classically designed dining table in solid white oak. Extends from 108" x 44" to 132" in length. But, we can build this table in any size. This table assembles in five minutes withou...
Oak
Spanish Renaissance Table In Blond Walnut - 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare 17th-century Spanish Renaissance walnut table. It features an exceptional (museum-quality) base decorated with acanthus leaves, a partially open sculpted part (uncom...
Walnut
18th Century English Oak Console Table with Inlaid Drawers
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (17/18th Century) oak console table with 2 banded inlaid drawers and supported on turned legs with a box form stretcher.
Oak
Renaissance Coffee Table with Marble Inlay and Metal Base, 1990
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Coffee table, metal base, renaissance style marble marquetry shelf circa 1990
Marble, Metal
Important Portuguese Table 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Portuguese Table " Buffet " Twisted and trembled rosewood. Rectangular top, framed by a trembled frieze, waist with two dra...
Rosewood
Spanish Walnut Coffee Table - 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely Spanish Renaissance walnut coffee table. Unusual coffee table with a beautiful 17th century walnut top in one piece with a superb flame and a beautiful thickness and a magnifi...
Walnut
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Bar Folding Tray Table w Lion Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Renaissance Style Carved Walnut Butlers Bar Folding Tray Table with Lion Paw Feet. Item features folding base paw feet, removable green leather insert, removable tray...
Leather, Walnut
Antique Giltwood and Scagliola Circular Table, after Della Valle Brothers
By Della Valle Brothers
Located in London, GB
This wonderful table is designed after the famous Della Valle brothers (Italian, fl. mid-19th century). The brothers were exceptionally skilled craftsmen who specialised in the produ...
Scagliola, Giltwood
Spanish Renaissance End Table, Walnut Top & Wrought Iron Base
Located in Queens, NY
Spanish Renaissance-style (17th Century) walnut octagonal top end table with wrought iron pedestal base.
Wrought Iron
An Italian Renaissance-Style Long Table with Trompe L'Oeil Designs
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Renaissance-style long table with two trestle-form ends connected by a stretcher. The top with detailed trompe l'oeil painting depicting handwritten letters, cameo portrai...
Wood
1930s Italian Nero Marble Coffee Table Framed w/ Ornamental Stucco Inlay
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Italian Nero marble coffee table framed with plant and people ornamental stucco inlay.
Marble
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Ebony and Marble Center/Library Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding and very unique French 19th century Renaissance st. Ebony and marble center/library table. The table is raised by seven elegant circular lightly tapered fluted legs wi...
Marble
Renaissance Spanish Occassional Table circa 1600 in Walnut
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Spanish Renaissance walnut table circa 1600 Sublime small table with a beautiful large walnut top. Very interesting base with turned le...
Walnut
Octagonal Italian Pietre Dure Hardstone Mosaic Inlay Black Marble Table Top
Located in Marbella, ES
Handcrafted reproduction of Italian 1700s ornamental design on black Belgian marble table top. Vases with flowers, clam shells, fishes and a myriad of elements are confirmed by the c...
Marble
Mid-Century Modern, Renaissance Console in Walnut , by Bassano's Ebanistery
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern, renaissance style console with drawer, in walnut polished to wax Measures cm: H 87, W 100, D 29.
Walnut
$13,520Sale Price|51% Off
Renaissance Style Center Table by Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, Circa 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Label mentioning “I.R. Scuola, Sezione Intarsio e Intaglio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, n°146” Exceptional Venetian Renaissance style center table. The top and the frieze opening with four...
Wood
Important Portuguese Table 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
MESAPORTUGUESA BUFFET 19th Century of twisted and trembling in rosewood wood. Rectangular shaped top, framed by a shaky frieze, waist with 3 drawers simulating 10, turned legs and b...
Rosewood
17th Century Spanish Table with Three Drawers in Chestnut
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb Spanish Renaissance table in chestnut from the 17th century Very elegant table with three drawers in the belt. Very beautiful belt...
Chestnut
Console Table With Pearl Row Made In Mahogany From 1860s
Located in Lejre, DK
A mahogany console table adorned with a pearl row, dating back to the 1860s. This exquisite piece exudes elegance and sophistication, showcasing the timeless beauty of 19th-century c...
Mahogany
Important Portuguese Table 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE BUFFET TABLE 19th Century of twisted and trembling in rosewood wood. Rectangular shaped top, framed by a shaky frieze, waist with two simulating drawers, 6 turned legs an...
Rosewood
Walnut Spanish Trestle Table, 18th-19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
An impressive late 18th/early 19th century finely carved walnut trestle table with unusual intricately carved puttis on the sides. Meticulous attention is given to the carving, stur...
Walnut
Italian 19th Century Renaissance St. Specimen Marble And Micro-Mosaic Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative Italian 19th century Renaissance st. Ebonized Fruitwood, Specimen marble and Micro-Mosaic side table. The table is raised on a tripod base with three 'C' scrolled l...
Marble
PORTUGUESE DINING ROOM TABLE end 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
DINING ROOM TABLE Portuguese end 19th Century in chestnut wood. Standing on four carved wooden feet with a zoomorphic shape. With a magnifying board. Signs of use. Dim.: (closed) 82...
Wood
Antique Italian Tabletop with Pietra Dura Scene
Located in London, GB
This marble tabletop features a centrally placed pictorial panel executed in Pietra Dura. The panel is surrounded by a frame composed of inlaid purple veined marble that is encompass...
Marble
Pietra Dura Inlay Italian Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
Pietra Dura inlay Italian coffee table Italian, 19th century Measures: Height 59cm, width 83cm, depth 63cm This highly unusual coffee table is s...
Stone
A French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze Ormolu Tazza/side table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most elegant French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu Tazza/side table. This highly decorative table is raised on three pierced fluted patina...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Renaissance St. Walnut Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Renaissance st. walnut and faux painted marble dining/center table. The rectangular table is raised by a bottom tier with a fine mottled border and mos...
Marble
Italian 19th Century Renaissance St. Rosewood and Alabastro Side/Cocktail Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very unique Italian 19th century Renaissance st. Rosewood and Alabastro side/cocktail table. The table is raised by lovely circular mottled feet below exceptional and ...
Marble
Italian 19th Century Renaissance Style Giltwood Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most handsome Italian 19th century Renaissance st. giltwood and faux painted marble center table. The rectangular table is raised by beautiful palmette designed fee...
Giltwood