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.
Italian Baroque Burgundy Tufted Settee
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Baroque style 20th century large settee with giltwood filigree frame & button-tufted burgundy & cream upholstery with embroidered flowers and burg...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Armchair Commemorative Walnut Folk Initialed JFP dFP French Aubusson Tapestry
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A rare late-17th century French walnut, commemorative, open, vernacular, naive, folk armchair with incised initials 'JFP' on the left hand side block and 'dFP' on the right hand side...
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
Hepplewhite Style Settee in Decorative Paint Finish
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Hepplewhite style settee in decorative paint finish. The settee nhas three shied back elements, carved and curved arms, and spade feet. It is in good, original condition, sho...
Upholstery, Wood
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Wicker Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous woven wicker settee by Isamu Kenmochi. Perfect scale, and very good condition. Rare, early piece of his work.
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Settee Loveseat by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Settee...
Cotton
Danish 1940's Settee attributed To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, Frits Henningsen, Kaare Klint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and unique settee that seem to draw on famous designs from Kaare Klint and Frits Henningsen. The settee is most likely by Ole Wanscher who made...
Wool, Mahogany
Midcentury Settee, possibly Finn Juhl /Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Great, sleek midcentury settee recently upholstered. No markings but very similar to Niels Vodder's model NV53.
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Diminutive Painted Settee in Tan Leather
Located in Essex, MA
19th century diminutive size Italian painted classical settee covered in original tan leather with nailheads trim. Perfect size for a small foyer or entryway. Great patina and just e...
Wood
Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,397Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 22.45 in D 27.56 in
Gianfranco Frattini Mid-Century Armchairs in Light Leather 'Attr.'
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid pair of wooden armchairs attributed to the great designer Gianfranco Frattini in the 70s, of fine Italian manufacture. The armchairs have a solid base made of solid dark wo...
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Lovely Vintage Bamboo and Brass Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful vintage settee, circa 1970. Bamboo and hardwood construction with accents in hammered brass. Exceptional detail and craftsmanship. Fabulous jewelry! Excellent restored co...
Brass
Antique French Giltwood Sofa Settee
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
200 A French Louis XVI style giltwood sofa settee with white new damask upholstery. Structurally sound in good original conditions.
Fabric, Hardwood
Baroque Armchair in Giltwood and Yellow Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful armchair from an elite Venetian bourgeois family, whose design is also an inspiration. The armchair is made of gilt wood in the mighty frame, with 4 supporting feet, each f...
Velvet, Giltwood
French Vintage Armchairs in Chinese Style
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid pair of armchairs designed at the end of 1800, of fine French manufacture. The armchairs are in oriental style as you can see from the sinuous and curved shapes and woven d...
Velvet, Rattan, Wood
Italian Baroque Giltwood Settee and Side Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful antique Italian early 19th century carved giltwood settee and chair in the Baroque style. The chairs feature a finely carved whimsical theme including maidens, clouds, flowers and shells. Some of the flowers feature original encrusted glass...
Giltwood
Sold
H 52.25 in W 32 in D 22.25 in
Antique English Wood and Cane Double-Back Bench Chair, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English wood and cane bench double-back chair. This Baroque style chair from the early to mid-20th century, features an exquisitely carv...
Cane, Wood
Sofa Bench Baroque 18th Century Europe
Located in New York, NY
A sofa bench made during the mid-18th century in Europe. Styrdy frame made from oak with acanthus leaf carvings on armrests. Upholstered in a vintage leather. Height of armrests: 27 in.
Oak
Italian 19th century Baroque Style Walnut Settee
Located in Troy, NY
Italian settee with a bold presence and unusual design, high back and strong, turned base, antique flame stitch fabric.
Walnut
18th Century Venetian Painted and Gilt Wood Bench With Iron Stretcher
Located in Houston, TX
Versatile Italian gilt wood and faux marbleized banquette with iron stretcher. Please click KIRBY ANTIQUES logo below to view additional pieces from our vast inventory.
19th Century Carved French Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved French Baroque style sofa upholstered in burlap with nailhead trim detail.
Burlap, Wood
Antique French Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great looking antique French loveseat finely carved oak frame in Regence style,with red silk/cotton fabric and dawn filled lose cushion.
Upholstery
17th Century Italian Baroque Carved Settee
Located in San Marino, CA
A 17th century Italian carved settee that features typical design elements of the Rococo period, such as intricate carvings of foliage motifs throughout the wood frame and cabriole l...
Mahogany, Walnut, Upholstery