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 Venetian Solid Bronze Servant Bell with Red Velvet and Bronze Bell Pull
Located in Doha, QA
'"QUI ME TANGIT VOCEM MEAM AUDI"- He who touches me hears my voice. (In tranlsation from Latin). So it says on the Bell. An absolutely unique Venetian Servant Bell with a Velvet go...
Gold, Bronze
Esmond Burton Portland Stone Sculpture from the Bank of England Annexe
Located in London, GB
A massive carved Portland stone tableau of the reigning monarchs, William & Mary (1689-1702), granting The Bank of England Charter in 1694. Sculptor Esmond Burton (1885-1964). Part of a collection of approximately 45 statues and carvings commissioned by the Bank of England to adorn it’s Annexe built in the 1950’s at One New Change in the City of London. They were removed prior to the building being demolished in 2007. This group was above the Cheapside entry to the courtyard and was flanked either side by statues of Sir John Houblon, the first Governor of the Bank and Michael Godfrey...
Stone
Two 17th Century French Iron Choir Screen Fragments, Mounted on Custom Bases
Located in Stamford, CT
17th French iron fragments of a choir screen, the larger with ivy leaves topped by an arch with a bell flower, the other with two lovely heart shapes top and bottom, with groups of s...
Iron
16th Century Spanish or Italian Baroque Wrought Iron Nails and Furniture Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Group of 16th century (or earlier, possibly Gothic) Spanish or Italian wrought iron furniture mounts. These hand-wrought bosses and nails show incredible workmanship. These would have been used to decorate - and to structurally hold together an early chest or casket. The four geometric bosses beautifully made, eight ounces each without the nail! The nails are works of art in themselves, with their heavy geometric heads. Also two round bosses with the nail integral to the piece, one a mushroom form, the other like a parasol. And a single hand-wrought double sided nail. Great group of early iron. Provenance: Frances Pratt, Writer, Artist, Collector. New York City. Approximate sizes: 4 bosses 4.625 inches square 11.75 cm Round bosses 3 inches diameter the larger 2.5 the smaller 7.6/ 6.35 cm 4.5 in high 11.4 cm 5 nails...
Iron
$1,000Sale Price|39% Off
Early Dutch Antique Brass Bird Cage
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century brass bird cage, circa 1810-1830 The bird cage has two bird seed containers that attaches to the cage.
Brass, Iron
Striking 18th Century Italian Baroque Fireplace Mantel in Statuary Marble
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
A monumental, 18th century, Italian Baroque fireplace mantel in statuary marble. The frieze, with a beautifully decorated central cartouche, is supported by solid panelled demilune j...
Statuary Marble
Double Pair of Italian Baroque Push Pull Bronze Door Handles
Located in London, GB
Two double Italian Baroque style push and pull bronze door handles with elaborate design and original patina. They are most likely made in the late 19th century but almost identical ...
Bronze
Hand-Carved Italian Stone Cherub Corbels, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Italian figural carved stone corbels featuring cherubs, or putti heads, with delicately rendered wings, volutes, and scrolling acanthus motifs. Heavy stone is hand-carve...
Stone
Unique 17th Century Baroque Dutch Fireplace
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Large and amazing Baroque Dutch mantelpiece from the 17th century. Very well decorated limewood frieze displays an array of beautiful water plants, su...
Marble, Iron
Baroque Antique Architectural Beveled White Marble Tabletop, 1800s, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Antique Italian beveled marble serpentine tabletop. Salvaged from a giltwood swan motif console table with matching mirror. Created in the 19th century, this marble top is in a serpe...
Marble
18th Century French Mantelpiece
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This Régence mantelpiece in grey sandstone tics all the boxes of the age of the Baroque. The Régence used the same strong classically inspired lines from the early Baroque but brough...
Sandstone
17th Century Spanish Upper Niche Altarpiece Carved Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
Upper part of an altar niche, from the Spanish Baroque period, in the shape of a shell, which in turn would have been part of a Baroque altarpiece, characterized by profuse and exube...
Giltwood
$42,500 / set
Pair of Italian Baroque Painted Carved Columns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Baroque style (19th Century) painted black swirl columns with gilt trim and floral and scroll design (PRICED AS Pair).
Gold Leaf
Antique Venetian Free-Hanging Iron Dragon Sign Rare Exterior Plaque 1629
Located in Doha, QA
A rare and evocative Venetian iron hanging sign, intricately cut in the form of a stylised dragon within a rectangular frame. This piece is dated 1629, the year of the Venetian Plagu...
Iron
Pair of 17th Century Italian Carved Fruit Swag Architectural Elements
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 17th century Italian carved fruit swag architectural elements. Stunning large pair of 17th century Italian Baroque carved giltwood fruit swag archit...
Giltwood, Wood
Wrought Iron Grille, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Wrought iron window grille that has two horizontal bars in the middle, inserted between the vertical bars. These present a decoration of small discs...
Wrought Iron
Italian Fireplace in Veined Brown Marble
Located in London, GB
A good quality Italian fireplace in the Baroque manner in striking brown marble with white veining. The shaped frieze with heavy moulding and breakfront shelf above. A substantial pi...
Marble
Wrought Iron Grille, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Wrought iron grating with ten vertical double-pearl bars decorated with small discs and other simpler verticals (up and down planes, the central tubular and inserted through the vert...
Wrought Iron
Pair of columns. Wrought iron. Possibly Spanish school, 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of columns. Wrought iron. Possibly Spanish school, 17th century. Pair of architectural supports made of iron with a polygonal central axis, ending in a spherical shape on one ...
Iron
Italian Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel in the Baroque Manner
Located in London, GB
An impressive late 19th century Italian Baroque style fireplace in statuary marble. Deeply carved floral swags to frieze and bracketed jambs, scrolled foliage to frieze and outside o...
Statuary Marble
Carved Bolection Fireplace in Arabescato Marble
Located in London, GB
An elegant and understated bolection moulded fireplace in Italian Arabescato marble. The frieze with carved oak leaf decoration and crossbanded centre ribbon. A copy of a period orig...
Marble
Impressive Carved Stone Italian Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An Italian antique stone fireplace. The jambs with heavily carved sea-scrolls throughout, the frieze with matching carving and, finished with c...
Limestone
A Portuguese Polychrome & Giltwood Presentoir, 18th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Portuguese Baroque Polychrome & Giltwood Presentoir 18th Century With elaborate scroll and flower carved canopy and framework Height 30 in. Width 18 in. Depth 10 in. ...
Architectural Bolection Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An architectural bolection fireplace of small scale with moulded frieze and jambs. Made in a rustic Italian travertine stone, currently unfilled. E...
Travertine
Unusual English Baroque Style Fireplace in Italian Carrara Marble
Located in London, GB
An unusual English Baroque style fireplace in Italian Carrara marble. The substantial frieze with a coat of arms featuring griffins and shield, with swirling floral paterae to end bl...
Marble
Italian Chimneypiece in Portland Stone
Located in London, GB
A good quality Italian fireplace in the Baroque manner in Portland stone. The shaped frieze with heavy moulding and breakfront shelf above. A substantia...
Limestone
Carved Italian Fireplace in Portland Stone
Located in London, GB
An Italian Baroque style fireplace richly carved from Portland stone. The ogee shaped frieze with carved acanthus leaves, shells and flowers. Similar carving to moulded shelf, and Cl...
Stone
English Bolection Fireplace in Travertine Stone
Located in London, GB
A large and imposing English moulded bolection fireplace in white Travertine stone. Modelled on a chimneypiece originally housed in the Officer's Mess at Chelsea Barracks, London. Ca...
Travertine
Pair of Pilasters, Polychromed Wood, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of paired pilasters. Carved, polychrome andgilded mother. XVII century. Pair of moldings made of carved, polychrome andgilded wood, composed of p...
Wood