Baroque Wood Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mahogany
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
20th Century European Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1880s Italian Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut
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Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Stools
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Antique Early 18th Century European Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Suede, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Baroque Benches
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Baroque Benches
Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Benches
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1920s Spanish Baroque Benches
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Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Leather, Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1780s French Baroque Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century Swedish Baroque Stools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Fur, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
Giltwood, Linen
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Baroque Benches
Metallic Thread
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Baroque Ottomans and Poufs
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Baroque Wood Ottomans and Poufs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Baroque Wood Ottomans and Poufs?
A Close Look at Baroque Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Ottomans and Poufs for You
Antique and vintage ottomans and poufs add comfort and style to any living room, game room, home office or minimalist lounge space. An ottoman is a short seat or footstool that is also often used to store items. A pouf is similar, but it’s typically more petite than an ottoman, usually without the storage space inside.
When one thinks of the Ottoman Empire, it’s easy to overlook the iconic seat named for the region. The ottoman — originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms — was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. Eventually, these footrests were transformed into storage furnishings to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles. Furniture makers crafted their ottomans with lids that revealed a hidden cupboard, which rendered them both comfortable and practical.
Poufs, which appeared in France during the 1840s, are also of the low-platform seating variety. These versatile furnishings have been made available in all manner of shapes and sizes over time, and depending upon their firmness can be used as a side table should an occasion call for an extra one. However, your average ottoman is almost always firmer than a pouf, and even if the plush pouf in your living room feels sturdy, it’s probably not the best surface for your early-evening cocktail.
Both ottomans and poufs can help create an inviting and warm atmosphere in your living space. For the smaller rooms that are characterized by a casual feel, a shaggy or woven wool pouf might be a better choice, as it’s likely to be more compact and floor-cushion-like than an ottoman. The latter are often larger and more table-like and are comparatively a good fit for a more formal room such as a library or a study. Today, you might find that an ottoman works well in your bedroom, where there isn’t room for a sofa, or perhaps it can serve as a reliable perch in front of your vintage vanity table.
Whatever your seating needs are, find a collection of antique, new and vintage ottomans and poufs in varying styles on 1stDibs that include neoclassical, Industrial and mid-century modern. From the bright colors and bold patterns deployed by Milan-born designer Lorenza Bozzoli to the classy leather furnishings created at family-run Brooklyn, New York, atelier Moses Nadel, there is an endless range of these lovable low stools that merge seamlessly with most decor.