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.
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
$3,950 / set
H 34 in W 25 in D 22 in
Set of 4 Antique Louis XV Armchairs with Aubusson Tapestry, France
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Magnificent early 19th century French Louis XV set of 4 armchairs from a parlor suite, richly upholstered in exceptional, early and rare handwoven Au...
Tapestry, Walnut
$20,680 / set
H 32.68 in W 41.34 in D 46.07 in
New Pair of Mulberry Custom Made Howard Love Seat Armchairs Hounds Silk Velvet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale our first ever range of Luxury, prototype, custom made armchairs, they are oversized, Howard style love seat / ...
Upholstery, Beech
$3,240
H 30.32 in W 25.99 in D 33.47 in
Quiete Solid Wood Armchair, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
The Quiete sofa and armchair are born from the union of refined Italian design and skilled craftsmanship. Made in Italy by expert hands with passion, the structure is in premium soli...
Textile, Walnut
$20,680 / set
H 32.68 in W 41.34 in D 46.07 in
New Pair of Mulberry Custom Howard Love Seat Armchairs Morning Gallop Velvet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale our first ever range of Luxury, prototype, custom made armchairs, they are oversized, Howard style love seat / ...
Upholstery, Beech
$2,400Sale 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
$8,161Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 34.65 in D 33.86 in
Fuchsia Vintage Armchairs by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid set of 2 fabric armchairs designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for the prestigious manufacture Azucena Italia. The vintage armchairs are made of brown, fuchsia and purple striped fabric, which creates a very colorful geometric effect. The lines are very hard and geometric, wonderfully eccentric. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, shiny silver, which connects to the spectacularly beautiful square, hollowed out feet. The cushions also act as square armrests, very colorful. The armchairs come from the Rome home of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The colored armchairs are ideal for furnishing eccentric and colorful living rooms.
Aluminum
$2,440
H 31.5 in W 38.19 in D 23.63 in
Louis XVI Antique Design French Carved Walnut Buttonback Love Seat
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Charming Louis XVI Design 19th Century French Carved Walnut Button Back Love Seat With Leaf Carved Rococo Frame
Upholstery, Walnut
$20,680 / set
H 32.68 in W 41.34 in D 46.07 in
Pair of Mulberry Custom Made Howard Love Seat Armchairs Lemond Silk Velvet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale our first ever range of Luxury, prototype, custom made armchairs, they are oversized, Howard style love seat / ...
Upholstery, Beech
$4,321Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 29.93 in D 29.53 in
Vintage Wooden Armchairs in Purple and Green Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous set of two large velvet armchairs of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The set is made of fabric reupholstered in purple and acid green velvet, very beautiful and ec...
Velvet, Wood
$3,060 / set
H 30.32 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in
Midcentury Maple Brass and Fabric Austrian Loveseats Club Armchairs, 1940
Located in Roma, Lazio
Characteristic and precious Austrian armchairs in bleached maple, with rich brass inserts, all married with a beautiful black and silver fabric. The armchairs have a maple structure...
Brass
$5,281Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 29.14 in D 33.86 in
Piero Ranzani Italian Armchairs Mod. "Anna", 1966
Located in Milano, IT
Rare pair of armchairs designed by Piero Ranzani in 1966, for the fine Italian manufacturer Elam. The armchairs are part of the "Anna" model. The armchai...
Iron
$3,791 / set
H 33.47 in W 41.34 in D 41.34 in
Luxury Pair of Very Large Designer Grey Leather Armchairs or Love Seats
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of contemporary heritage grey leather oversized armchairs or love seats These are a large pair of very comfortable armchairs,...
Leather
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
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
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.
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
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