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.
19th C Italian White and Gold Religious Stained Glass Church Panel
Located in Hastings, GB
A very beautiful carved wooden stained glass panel, highly decorative with water gilding and stained glass panelling. Dating to the early 19th century, Italy, the panel has eight...
Gesso, Stained Glass, Wood
Italian Giltwood Overdoor Ornament Panel, circa 1740
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular panel with elaborate foliate scrolls.
Walnut
Very Fine Late 17th Century Allegorical Flemish Renaissance Baroque Tapestry
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine late 17th century allegorical Flemish Renaissance Baroque tapestry. Cavaliers Frame measurements: 1.5in.
Fabric
$425,000
H 152 in W 172 in D 1 in
Antique Late 17th Century Antique Franco-Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This late 17th century Franco-Flemish verdure tapestry, signed RAET, worked in fresh colors, depicting animals in a wooded river landscape with a bird of prey attacking a rabbit in t...
Tapestry, Wool
Reclaimed Stained Glass Church Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed stained glass church window dating from the late 19th century with decorative foliate panels within a red glass border. This stunning antique window is comprised of two c...
Lead
Stained Glass Panel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Offering this stunning stained glass panel on chain. In the shape of a floral tree with various colors and pattern. Also have many shades of green,...
Stained Glass
Large Antique Oak Wall Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A single large antique oak wall panel salvaged from a British church. It dates from the early 1900s during the Victorian era and features solid oak construction with a rich warm wood...
Wood, Oak
Reclaimed 19th Century Stained Glass Church Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed stained glass church window dating from the late 19th century with decorative foliate panels within a red glass border. We have a matching shaped panel available under S...
Metal, Lead
Religious Antique Stained Glass Window 19th century
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 19th century antique religious stained glass window depicting two angels. This glass panel tell a story of a larger glass window, a stunning feature piece for a heritage property, ...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
17th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Houston, TX
A Flemish tapestry of exceptional quality. It has retained great Color And the condition is remarkable with only minor restoration. it is Made of wool and it is hand woven. the des...
Wool
Antique 17th Century Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique square 17th century flemish Verdure landscape tapestry without figures in a beautiful and rich summer scene of a countryside with lush trees and vegetation...
Tapestry, Wool
$74,995Sale Price|50% Off
H 216 in W 108 in D 0.05 in
Late 17th Century French Aubusson Allegorical Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson “Louis XIV” allegorical tapestry from the late 17th or early 18th century, depicting an allegory of Spring, with Flora crowned b...
Wool
Pair of Art Nouveau 19th Century Stained Glass Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall pair of late 19th century English stained glass panels, beautifully etched with Art Nouveau style details. Dating to circa 1890, this pair will look stunning as feature windo...
Glass, Stained Glass
Antique Religious Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 20th century antique religious stained glass window circa 1900. Depicting an ecclesiastical scene, thought to be Jesus...
Lead
17th Century French Baroque Tapestry
Located in Allerum, SE
17th century French Baroque wool and silk tapestry. Work of Felletin, ca 1690 France.
Wool, Silk
17th Century Italian Carved Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 17th-century Italian carved panel is a fine example of early craftsmanship, featuring a depiction of crossed keys in relief, a symbolic motif often associated with Saint Peter a...
Wood
Large French 17th century Baroque Hand carved Oak Panel
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful large baroque hand carved oak panel depicting a bird standing on floral baroque curls. B eautiful weathered period piece. France circa 16...
Oak
Sold
H 84.26 in W 16.93 in D 1.58 in
Set of 6 French 18th Century Baroque Panels with Original blue-gray Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
A set of six French Baroque panels from the 18th century, painted in a stunning blue-gray color with fantastic age-related patina. The panels are double-sided, each featuring three r...
Pine
Early 19th Century Baroque Style Architecture Fragment
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century Baroque style architecture fragment A 19th century hand carved baroque style architectural fragment. With period repairs to the reverse with cast metal support...
Pine
Sold
H 50.79 in W 50.79 in D 0.99 in
Pair of German 18th Century Baroque Painted Doors Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very charming pair of German painted Baroque cupboard doors from the 18th century, most probably from Bavaria. Original and well preserved paint and rocaille carving, pine wood, orig...
Wood
Pair of French 17th Century Wooden Panels with High-Relief Carved Cherubs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French 17th century square wooden wall fragments with high relief cherub carvings. Each of this pair of architectural pieces features a cherub face carved in high relief, s...
Wood
18th Century Italian Wall Panel
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 18th century Italian Grisaille wall panel.
Wood
Pair of Carved, Gilded and Painted Panels in Baroque Style
Located in Nashville, TN
A pair of wood carved , paint and parcel gilt panels possibly overdoors (or over windows ) or paneling fragments.Deeply and robustly carved .. These can be used vertically or hori...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 20 in W 50 in D 2.38 in
Carved, Gilded and Painted Architectural Overdoor Panel in Baroque Style
Located in Nashville, TN
A wood carved and paint and parcel gilt panel possibly an overdoor (or over window) paneling fragment. Deeply and robustly carved and of significant ...
Paint, Wood
Pair of Parcel Gilt Pilasters
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Left and Right pilasters with parcel gilt capitals and faux marble panels with raised panel centers. Each capital has fully carved side. C...
Wood, Paint