Baroque Folk Art
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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Folk Art
Ceramic
Early 1900s German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Quartz
1950s Spanish Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Brass
1880s Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1770s Austrian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Fir
18th Century German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1930s German Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Baroque Folk Art
Gesso, Paint, Wood, Glass
Early 20th Century German Baroque Folk Art
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
18th Century French Antique Baroque Folk Art
Giltwood, Paint
1750s Norwegian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Iron
Late 20th Century German Baroque Folk Art
Porcelain
Early 18th Century French Antique Baroque Folk Art
Fruitwood
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Folk Art
Ceramic, Pottery
18th Century European Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1960s German Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wool
18th Century European Antique Baroque Folk Art
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1960s German Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wood
20th Century European Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wool
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Silver
19th Century German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Plaster, Stucco
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Metal
1890s Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Marble, Breccia Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 18th Century German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Canvas, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wool, Linen
17th Century English Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Quartz
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Fir
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Folk Art
Wool
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1860s Slovak Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Iron
1880s Slovak Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1810s German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 1800s Czech Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Majolica
18th Century German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Canvas, Glass, Wood
1870s Slovak Antique Baroque Folk Art
Hardwood
19th Century Czech Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
1830s Slovak Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 1800s Czech Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 1800s Czech Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
19th Century Czech Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Folk Art
Delft
Early 1900s German Antique Baroque Folk Art
Quartz
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Folk Art
Delft
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Folk Art
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood
Early 18th Century Indian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Ebony
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Folk Art
Wood