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 German Hanau Baroque Silver Tea Caddy
By Hanau, Simon Rosenau
Located in New York, NY
German Baroque 800 silver tea caddy, ca 1890. Rectilinear with curved corners; top flat and plain with short neck and cover. Chased and embossed flowers with crisscrossing leafing st...
Silver
Abraham Röntgen's casket (1711–1793)
Located in Berlin, DE
Rosewood veneered on oak 22x15x24 cm Abraham Roentgen (1711–1793) and his son David were the creators of marquetry furniture of highly refined quality and ingenious construction th...
Rosewood
Box Cannister Caddy Brass Tobacco Tea Dutch
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A charming early tobacco box or tea cannister Unusual, large size Lovely soft contours which enhances the reflection of light in the interior Original condition including hinges length 21cm., 8 1/4" depth 7.5cm., 3" height 11cm., 4 1/2". The Dutch were the main importers of tobacco in the 18th century and manufactured tobacco boxes to sell with...
Brass
Vintage Maitland-Smith Burl Walnut Jewelry Box Tea Caddy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic vintage box featuring a burl walnut inlay with a silver-tone knob on the lid as well as the ornate feet. Perfect decorative jewelry, trinket or caddy box standing alone on ...
Silver
Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Footed Tea Caddy with hinged lid. This authentic Moroccan brass silver plated box has a beautiful etched geometri...
Silver Plate, Brass
Renaissance Revival Damacened and Bronze Casket
Located in Essex, MA
With a domed hinged lid and bail handle over a conforming case decorated overall with figures in Renaissance dress. Bun feet. Provenance; David and P...
Bronze
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished, with an applied reed decorated border to the upper and lower rims. This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked domed flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is surmounted with the original and exceptional silver topped oval button style finial. This antique Georgian tea caddy...
Sterling Silver
English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English sheffield silver plate tea caddy / thin biscuit with exterior design details and attached covered top . The tea caddy ...
Silver Plate, Copper
Antique English Georgian Silver Tea Caddy by William Vincent
Located in Northampton, GB
Hallmarked Sterling by William Vincent of London Dated 1779 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of slight...
Sterling Silver
Venetian Gold Washed Jewel/Document Casket
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Italian 22kt gold washed jewel/document box featuring hand applied passementerie and hand painted details.
Gold Leaf
$3,995
H 17 in W 19.5 in D 17 in
18th Century Baroque Period Italian German Guild Chest Cabinet Jewelry Casket
By Ferdinando Pogliani
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most impressive 18th century European parcel ebonized rosewood hardstone bronze pewter bone ivory marquetry tabletop cabinet casket. Of exceptionally fine quality, lavish...
Lapis Lazuli, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu, Pewter
Antique Anglo Indian Tortoise Tea Caddy Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable Anglo Indian box turtle tea caddy, the well marked upper shell hollowed and intricately filled with a star inlaid panel, the base with a lidded box, all in exotic...
Bone, Wood, Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood
Antique English Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautiful tea caddy. The tortorise shell color is perfection.
Tortoise Shell
Micromosaic Grand Tour Jewel Casket
Located in Riverdale, NY
Micromosaic Grand Tour Jewel Casket from the late 19th Century. Elaborate inlaid floral tessarae of daisies cover the lid of the jewel-trinket box with glass panels on each side. All...
Brass
$1,680
H 5.2 in W 8.8 in D 4.8 in
Stunning Late 1800s Gothic Revival Walnut & Brass Tea Caddy Box W. Great Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
A very pleasing, late 19th century, double compartment tea caddy. This marvellous and rare tea caddy is in very good condition and the burl walnut has a truly warm, deep and rich pa...
Bronze, Brass
Antique Dutch Delft Blue and White Tin Glazed Pottery Tea Caddy
By De Klaauw
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Dutch delft tea caddy with a very narrow neck. The blue and white Chinoiserie decoration depicts Chinese figures, foliage, and birds ...
Delft
Louis XIV Marble Tobacco Box, Early 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Saint-Anne des Pyrees box with two circular wells beneath the hinged top.
Marble