Baroque Decorative Art
The decadence of the Baroque style, in which ornate furnishings were layered against paneled walls, painted ceilings, stately chandeliers and, above all, gilding, expressed the power of the church and monarchy through design that celebrated excess. And its influence was omnipresent — antique Baroque furniture was created in the first design style that truly had a global impact.
Theatrical and lavish, Baroque was prevalent across Europe from the 17th to mid-18th century and spread around the world through colonialism, including in Asia, Africa and the Americas. While Baroque originated in Italy and achieved some of its most fantastic forms in the late-period Roman Baroque, it was adapted to meet the tastes and materials in each region. French Baroque furniture informed Louis XIV style and added drama to Versailles. In Spain, the Baroque movement influenced the elaborate Churrigueresque style in which architecture was dripping with ornamental details. In South German Baroque, furniture was made with bold geometric patterns.
Compared to Renaissance furniture, which was more subdued in its proportions, Baroque furniture was extravagant in all aspects, from its shape to its materials.
Allegorical and mythical figures were often sculpted in the wood, along with motifs like scrolling floral forms and acanthus leaves that gave the impression of tangles of dense foliage. Novel techniques and materials such as marquetry, gesso and lacquer — which were used with exotic woods and were employed by cabinetmakers such as André-Charles Boulle, Gerrit Jensen and James Moore — reflected the growth of international trade. Baroque furniture characteristics include a range of decorative elements — a single furnishing could feature everything from carved gilded wood to gilt bronze, lending chairs, mirrors, console tables and other pieces a sense of motion.
Find a collection of authentic antique Baroque tables, lighting, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century European Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
1780s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
Late 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Faience
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
1780s Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Vermeil, Silver
Early 17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Walnut
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
1920s American Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 20th Century German Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Carrara Marble
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Linen, Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Mid-18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tapestry
Mid-20th Century European Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Early 17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
Early 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Iron
1760s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Beech
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Velvet
18th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silk, Wool
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Giltwood, Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1910s Italian Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Early 1700s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
1770s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Hardwood
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper, Silver Leaf
19th Century Irish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paint, Canvas
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tapestry
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Mirror, Wood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
1880s American Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas