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.
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
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
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 Period Walnut Table - 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb rare Renaissance period table in walnut from France from the 16th century Very beautiful table that can be used as a presentation table or desk since it has a height below th...
Walnut
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
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
Walnut Table "a lira" - Tuscany, 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Walnut Table "a lira" - Tuscany, XVII century Table “a lira” Walnut Tuscany, XVIIth century 71 X 90 X 49,5 cm Beautiful patina.
Walnut
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
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
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
Oil on canvas – Flemish genre scene – Smokers in tavern – Gilded wood frame
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Small oil painting on canvas, Flemish or Dutch genre scene representing two pipe smokers in a tavern, in the tradition of David Teniers the Younger, Adriaen Brouwer and Adriaen van O...
Hardwood
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
$13,655Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Italian Renaissance Writing Desk, Waxed Wood, Late 17th Century, Italy
Located in PARIS, FR
This magnificent Italian writing desk, dating from the late 17th century, is a striking example of Renaissance-inspired craftsmanship. Made of richly patinated, waxed wood, it featur...
Wood
Important Portuguese Table 18th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Portuguese table Bufete 18th century In rosewood wood with twisted and trembling carvings. Rectangular-shaped table top, framed on the front and sides by a jagged frieze, ...
Rosewood
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