Renaissance Desks
RENAISSANCE STYLE
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.
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Style: Renaissance
19th Century Rennaisance stilusban kis asztal es szek szett
Located in Kerepes, HU
Ez egy nagyon kecse , kis méretű Rennaisance stílusban szett. Bárhol elhelyezhető. Meg kis laptop asztal kent egy nappali sarokban is elképzelhető. Gyógyáru es egyedi az asztal láb ...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Other
French Henri IV / Renaissance Chest Desk in carved wood 17th - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful Rrenaissance / Henry IV chest from the 17th century, transformed into a desk in the 19th century.
Magnificent details are hand carved. The wood has a superb patina.
Fo...
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17th Century French Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Wood
Large Burled Executive Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Equally suited for use either at the workplace or in a home office the Niagara Furniture Large Burled Executive Desk with tooled leather top is both decorative and functional. Built ...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Writing Table Green Leather
Located in Annville, PA
An elegant Mahogany Writing Table Green Leather by Niagara Furniture which is a perfect fit for use either at home or in the offic...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
PORTUGUESE PAPER STATIONERY 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
STATIONERY D. JOSÉ 18th Century
19th century Portuguese.
in chestnut wood, with two drawers and three drawers.
Folding lid with drawers and bins.
Signs of use. Dim.: 140 x 115 x ...
Category
18th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Wood
Important and Rare Joseph Bertin - Milan - Ebene Desk 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Joseph Bertin - Milan - Ebene Desk 19th Century
Magnificent ebene desk by the cabinetmaker Joseph Bertin from the 19th century with the manufacturer's signature and stamp.
This desk has been completely restored, following exhaustive work in accordance with the rule of art.
This type of desk is not easily found in the world antiques market because it is very difficult to find signed examples like this one.
Its market price...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Wood
Burled Oval Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
One of the most complicated items that we produce at Niagara furniture our Burled Oval Partners Desk is also one of the most popular. The top section of the desk consists of a three-...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Wood
Hidden Drawer Desk
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Hidden Drawer Desk, a luxury piece of fine furniture with a hidden surprise inside. This tall chest was originally designed f...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Penhurst Mahogany Desk
Located in Annville, PA
The Penhurst Mahogany Desk in the Niagara Furniture collection. This desk matches a number of other pieces which we produce, please see the links below for related products. The fant...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This Chippendale style Mahogany and Leather French Desk is produced by Niagara Furniture. A high quality writing desk that sets the standard for beauty and function among antique rep...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Annville, PA
An elegant Mahogany Writing Table by Niagara Furniture which is a perfect fit for use either at home or in the office. Features include a three panel brown genuine leather tooled top...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Executive Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Ideal for use either at work or in a home office the Niagara Furniture Mahogany Executive Desk with a tooled leather top is both beautiful and functional. Built in three sections for...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Writing Table Red Leather
Located in Annville, PA
An elegant Mahogany Writing Table Red Leather top by Niagara Furniture is a perfect fit for use either at home or in the office. Features include a three panel green genuine full gra...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Women's Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Women's Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Very good condition.
Wood: walnut
Dimensions height 110 cm width 86 cm depth 52 cm.
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Spanish Baroque Oak Desk, Console
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
19th century Spanish antique oak desk, writting table with two drawers.
This elegant console was crafted in Spain, circa 1900, it featur...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Spanish Baroque Oak Desk - Console
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
19th Century Spanish antique oak desk, writting table with two drawers.
This elegant console was crafted in Spain, circa 1900, it featur...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
Swiss Bankers / Rent or Merchant Table, 18th C. and Later
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Swiss bankers or rent table, in Elmwood with a superb slate inset into
top. Underneath the top is a rather large drawer which slides both ways.
This was used to slide money from ...
Category
1750s Swiss Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Slate
Writing Cabinet Scrittoio Escritoire Desk Walnut Italy Florence Renaissance
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An exceptionally rare, late-Renaissance, Florentine, walnut, writing cabinet, scrittoio, escritoire or desk in two parts
This striking, writing cabinet has a classical form, ornam...
Category
Early 1600s Italian Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
Oak Renaissance Cabinet, 1600 Unikat
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Cabinet We present you a unique Renaissance Cabinet from the sixteenth century, Kabinet comes from Germany. It is made of oak. Cabinet is a box furniture, it consists of an upper c...
Category
16th Century German Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Oak
Cassettone Bureau-Chest Bambocci 16century Italian Renaissance Walnut Lombardy
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
AN EXCEPTIONAL MUSEUM QUALITY, ITALIAN, RENAISANCE WALNUT CASSETTONE WITH A FITTED BUREAU IN THE UPPER PART & EXCEPTIONAL BAMBOCCI CARVING, LOMBARDY
- This exceptionally rare, museum quality, piece of early furniture was conceived and crafted as an artwork of the finest quality of its time. Throughout time it has been a luxurious, statement piece which has protected it, and fortunately it has survived in virtually, original condition.
- This magnificent cassettone exudes the character and quality of the finest, late-Renaissance furniture.
Northern Italian Renaissance furniture often had the sides, legs or angles, 'a Bambocci', incorporating carved figures which were considered unique sculptures in their own right.
- The putti on this cassettone are beautifully carved and of sculptural quality. Each angel has one arm raised to heaven, a poignant touch.
- The lion’s paw feet are a classical feature and make a great statement.
- This cassettone was conceived to have visual impact through the quality of the carving, as well as being very practical with the writing compartment fitted in the top part.
- It has survived in very original condition with a few small repairs and losses, and the colour and patina are warm and lustrous.
- This cassettone is illustrated Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45, one of the seminal works on Lombardy furniture, and has been in two renowned collections.
The hinged top in two sections faced with a solid moulded edge. The front part has a fall front and opens to reveal a writing compartment. The fall front retains its original lock and is concealed with a false drawer which is above three drawers. All with moulded panels, escutcheons and retaining the original iron handles. The front ends have exceptional, bambocci, carved putti raising their arms to heaven above trailing foliage. Standing on magnificent lion's-head carved feet. The sides are panelled. Exceptional original colour and patina.
Literature : Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45. A Gonzalez-Palacois, Il mobile in Liguria, Genova, 1996 illustrates related pieces
Measures: Length 147 ½ cm. 58 in, height 104 cm. 41 in, depth 75 cm. 29½ in,
Provenance: Coll. Private Azzate The Collection of Sandro and Lidia Orsi, Ca’ Mera, Varese. Regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in Lombardy, Ca’ Mera, the country house of Sandro and Lidia Orsi was filled with beautiful objects from many different epochs. A renowned antiquarian from Milan, over his lifetime Sandro and his wife Lidia revived the Renaissance and Baroque character of the house and instilled their own unique vision into the interiors, which culminated with the creation of a Kunst – or Wunderkammer. “I have never seen such an example of poetical taste”, Sir John Pope...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
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Denmark 17th century.
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Renaissance desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Renaissance desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance desks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks, popular names associated with this style include and Europa Antiques. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,619 and tops out at $87,912 while the average work can sell for $4,850.
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