18th Century Baroque Altar Candlesticks

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.

For centuries, candles have been used in religious ceremonies such as Hanukkah, provided light to work or read by and more. During meals, the soft glimmer of candles adds warmth to a dinner table that no lighting solution could possibly imitate. With the right antique or vintage candleholder, candles can elevate a table setting or just help support your efforts to create a romantic atmosphere in any room.

When you combine the distinctive glow of a candle with a candleholder that matches the color scheme and decor you’ve painstakingly put together, the result can feel like magic. Finding the candleholder that best meets your needs can be daunting because you’re essentially bringing a piece into your home that is as important as the candle itself. Unsurprisingly, venturesome designers over the years have crafted innumerable alternatives to the traditional form of candleholders, and today a broad array of these decorative objects can be found on 1stDibs, whether they’re 19th-century candleholders made of silver or sleek mid-century modern glass candleholders for an understated accent to your dining area.

Try a tabletop orb candleholder from Lynne Meade Ceramics for a distinctive interpretation of this long-loved furnishing. An alluring pair of Georg Jensen stainless-steel candleholders, featuring pronounced organic curves, or Art Nouveau–informed natural-world motifs, on the other hand, can bring a dose of sculptural elegance to your living room.

If you’re more inclined to opt for antique or vintage pieces, find a collection that includes everything from simple wood taper candleholders to elaborate candelabras of gilt bronze or cut glass on 1stDibs now.