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.
$1,425 / item
Tea Table
Located in Annville, PA
Designed after an 18th Century New England style Tea table this high quality antique reproduction has fantastic hand carved details all the way from the molding along the top of the ...
Mahogany
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
$1,531
H 22.64 in Dm 22.05 in
ANTIQUE HAND CARVED LIBERTY'S LONDON MOROCCAN FOLDING TRAY TABLE ZODIAC ETCHINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this ornately hand carved Moroccan brass tray table retailed through Liberty's in the 1880-1900's with Zodia...
Brass
Art Deco Chrome Folding Tray with Triangular Walnut Handle
Located in New York, NY
Exuding modernist charm and functional ingenuity, this Art Deco folding tray is a stylish example of streamlined industrial design crafted in Ame...
Chrome
Art Nouveau Engraved Tea Table
Located in Malibu, CA
A rare and important French Art Nouveau tea table with two shapely shelves. Engraved with lily pads petals & leaves. Decorative bronze handles. Completely hand crafted.
Hardwood
Antique English Folding Tray Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made folding butlers tray table. A very good looking well made and decorative piece, ...
Brass
Continental oval tole tea tray with gilt armorial, 1825-50
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Oval tole tea tray centering on a gilt armorial on a burgundy colored ground framed with a black rim with gilt banding. Continental, probably Italian, second quarter 19th century.
Paint, Paper
English oval rolled rim tole tea tray, 1840-60
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Oval tole tea tray with rolled rim in black with a stenciled border decoration in bronze powder. Surfaces have been cleaned and polished. England, circa 1840-60.
Enamel, Tin
Everlast Folding Aluminium Tray
By Mary Wright
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual serving tray with folding legs. Manufactured by Everlast, circa 1940s with "Fallen Leaves" design by Mary Wright. A Hollywood Regency and Art Deco or Industrial style.
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Tea Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fantastic Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XV Style Two Tier Parquetry Tea Table With inlaid diamond parquetry top...
Bronze
$720Sale Price|77% Off
H 24 in Dm 30.5 in
Mughal Empire Antique Brass Tray Table with Wooden Folding Stand
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-480 Mughal Empire antique brass tray with later date carved wooden folding stand. Brass top is decorated with repousse foliate and floral motif. Tray...
Brass
$2,681
H 22.64 in W 28.75 in D 18.51 in
Vintage Butler's Serving Table, English, Afternoon Tea Tray On Stand, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage butler's serving table. An English, mahogany afternoon tea tray on stand in Georgian revival taste, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Charming Art Deco se...
Mahogany
Antique Solid Walnut Paw Foot Fixed Tray Table
Located in West Chester, PA
An unusual solid walnut fixed tray table on slender cabriole legs with carved knees and carved paw feet. Usable flat space inside tray measures roughly 23.25” x 14.5”. The tray is fi...
Walnut
$880Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.75 in W 31.5 in D 18.5 in
Handsome Mahogany Butlers Tray Table on Folding Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome mahogany butlers tray on folding stand; stand has needlepointed straps with medallions as the cross supports.
Mahogany
Antique Italian Faience Platter Tray Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Italian faience tray depicting Angels and mythological scenes in a landscape setting. Custon made faux bamboo stand included. Maker's mark on underside.
Faience
Sold
H 16.54 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in
20th Century Italian Renaissance Style Coffee Table Tray Table with Vitrine
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful particular Italian coffee table in Renaissance style. The band is in carved wood with beautiful decorative motifs. Big paw feet. In the centre a showcase covered with elega...
Walnut