Art Easl

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.

Antique and vintage blanket chests go by many names. You may have heard them called hope chests, dowry chests or Lane cedar chests, with the latter referring to the now-famous case pieces manufactured by the Lane Furniture company.

No matter the name, these were initially large crude wooden boxes with hinged lids where you stowed away your blankets, household linens and possibly some valuables. Everyone can always use a bit more storage in our bedrooms or guest bedrooms, and blanket chests can be a stylish solution to help you stay organized, particularly if you’re short on closet space.

Blanket storage trunks are still typically equipped with hinges on their lids for easy access to their large storage capacity. They’re often rectangular pieces, but in the hands of today’s furniture designers, contemporary blanket chests take on many shapes and are made of varying materials. Most antique blanket chests are made out of wood, from rich mahogany to oak.

Find a wide range of antique, new and vintage blanket chests available for sale on 1stDibs.