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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
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

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

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

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

PORTUGUESE PAPER STATIONERY end 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE PAPER STATIONERY end 19th Century in carved rosewood wood with two drawers and three drawers. Folding factory top with drawers and bins. Si...
Category

Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Renaissance Desks

Materials

Rosewood

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 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

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

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

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

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1960s Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk
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1960s walnut and chrome executive desk in the style of Florence Knoll. Nice walnut grain and color throughout, including exceptional 76x28 work surface. Features 5 drawers, complet...
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1960s American Vintage Renaissance Desks

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American Mahogany Partner's Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Mahogany Partner's Desk with glass knobs. Top refinished and everything else cleaned and ready to go! Two wide drawers per each side with smaller drawers below. Beautiful c...
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American Mahogany Partner's Desk
American Mahogany Partner's Desk
H 29 in W 58 in D 35.5 in
Danish Modern Executive Brazilian Rosewood Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful Danish modern executive rosewood desk designed and manufactured in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a very particula...
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Large Midcentury Italian Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This impressive executive desk by the 1950s Italian designer, Vittorio Dassi, features a very comfortable 1.5 cm thick floating glass top, unde...
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Regency Partners Desk Walnut Library Desk
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Antique Partners Desk with Provenance
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine quality partners desk in exceptional figured mahogany veneers, original dark green leather, bramah locks, ratchetted writing slope and mahogany lined drawers Provenance: from...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Renaissance Desks

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Antique Partners Desk with Provenance
Antique Partners Desk with Provenance
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Large Traditional Mahogany 84 Inch Executive Desk by Leighton Hall
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Victorian Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is an unusual, good quality, Victorian mahogany partners desk. Having a polished solid mahogany top with three drawers to the...
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Victorian Mahogany Partners Desk
Victorian Mahogany Partners Desk
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 14.18 in
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Bureau Having Well Figured Fall Flap Above Four Long Drawers With Original Water Gilt Handles Raised On Original Bracket Feet (Typical of the lat...
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Executive Desk, Corner Desk in Mahogany, Germany, 1970's
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Beautifully designed writing desk in teak. With a very distinct design this desks every wood surface has been given specific angles such as the tabletop, the unit with drawers as wel...
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Bond Burled Wood and Lucite Desk
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly chic. A Minimalist world of burled wood, acrylic panels, and stainless steel. Pieced, burled mappa wood floats between Lucite legs with stainless...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Desks

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Bond Burled Wood and Lucite Desk
Bond Burled Wood and Lucite Desk
H 31 in W 45 in D 20 in
Mid Century Modern Executive Walnut Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning mid-century modern walnut executive desk made in the USA, circa 1960's. This desk features a well-crafted walnut design accented by elegant chrome handles. Designed with fun...
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Previously Available Items
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

Burled Oval Partners Desk
Burled Oval Partners Desk
H 30 in W 71 in D 40 in
Antique 1850 Renaissance Revival Burr Walnut Pugin Gothic Writing Table Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this stunning Renaissance Revival circa 1850 burr walnut writing table after Pugin What a piece! This writing table or desk is stunning, it offers huge a...
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1850s English Antique Renaissance Desks

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Walnut

Shell Shapped Nail '1' for Spanish Desks or Bargueños, Second Half 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Shell shaped nail for Spanish desks or Bargueños. Wrought iron, Second half 20th century, after 16th century models. 20th century, inspired by models from the 16th century. Multipl...
Category

20th Century Spanish Renaissance Desks

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Wrought Iron

19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Carved Walnut Cabinet with Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Majestic antique Italian renaissance style writing desk. Rare and precious solid carved walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical us...
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1880s Italian Antique Renaissance Desks

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Walnut

Renaissance Style Desk from the Late 19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique, massive desk with an extension was made of oakwood at the end of the 19th century. The furniture made in the Renaissance style has side cabinets and three roomy drawers, ...
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1890s Danish Antique Renaissance Desks

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Oak

Antique Desk in the Neo-Renaissance Style from circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
The old, Classic desk was created circa 1920 from oakwood. The furniture in the neo-Renaissance style has drawers and shelves and simple decorations. Perfect for home or business off...
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1920s German Vintage Renaissance Desks

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Oak

16th Century Italian Renaissance Period Walnut Library Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare late 16th century Renaissance period walnut library table or writing table from Umbria, Italy. Known as an "Asso di Coppe" table constructed in a trestle style with an exposed m...
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16th Century Italian Antique Renaissance Desks

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Walnut

Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
French library table in Henry II style, circa 1890s. Made from walnut with a long carved central drawer over turned legs and trestle base. Brass drawer pull features two delphins (do...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Desks

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Abalone

Italian Florentine Style Walnut Podium Desk, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 16th century Florentine style, podium height drop front desk. Beautifully carved solid walnut, having a fitted interior, and 32 inch writing surface when open. Italian, early 20t...
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Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Desks

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Walnut

Catalan Table in Walnut 17th Century, Spain
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb table or desk in walnut from the Spanish renaissance with his original wrought iron spacer Very beautiful Catalan table with an elegant typically...
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Walnut

Catalan Table in Walnut 17th Century, Spain
Catalan Table in Walnut 17th Century, Spain
H 29.93 in W 27.96 in D 49.22 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Barley Twist Partners Office Desk Renaissance
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a highly carved oak antique French “partners desk”, in true ‘partners desk’ form, and equally stunning on both sides! ...
Category

1890s French Antique Renaissance Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique French Carved Oak Desk Barley Twist Lion Black Forest Style Renaissance
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, one of the most beautifully carved antique French desks we have seen…ever!~ ~The tall back crown has a large Black Forest style dimensionally carved plaque with ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Renaissance Desks

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Oak

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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