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 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
$1,425 / 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
$560
H 24.25 in W 20.25 in D 12.5 in
Wicker, Bamboo and wood Bar, Breakfast or Tea Tray Table, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Striking mid-20th century Tray Table made of metal and bamboo with hand-woven wood and wicker fittings. Wood and wicker drink tray on top. Nice addition to your home, patio or garden. You can also use it as breakfast tray table...
Metal
$1,507
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
$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
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
$2,111Sale Price|20% Off
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
Mid-Century Colonial Style Bamboo Folding Tray Table
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Bamboo decoration - Mid-century Vintage bamboo folding side table Colonial Style. Measures : 61x41cm TH:78cm H:73,5cm Material: Bamboo - Rattan
Bamboo, Rattan
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
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
Antique Walnut Tray Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely walnut tray table made in a Black Forest style has simple but elegant carving around the inner and outer tray area. Raised up on finely turned x -shaped legs supported on...
Walnut
Moorish Moroccan Style Folding Brass Tray Drink Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome middle eastern Moroccan style brass top drinks table or tray table featuring a weathered patina on the etched top. The six leg base has a hexagonal shape with mother-of-pear...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Bar or Tea Serving Cart
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant Mid-Century Modern two-tier bar or tea serving cart. The cart features large carriage style wheels, two glass shelves and a free-wheeling r...
Metal
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
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