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.
Hand or table brazier. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Hand or table brazier. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century. A small brazier for use on a desk or dais, with circular legs, a polygonal shape, curved lines, and vase-like finials, r...
Metal, Bronze
Custom Leather Writing Desk Pad by PARIONE, Gilt Embossed, Italy, 1990
$2,404Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Dog-shaped bookends made of onyx and bronze
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful pair of Italian Baroque paperweights from the 1800s. The pair is made with a truly binding Onyx base. The onyx stone has been carved to make the paperweights semi-equal. Ab...
Onyx, Bronze
Celeste Globe by Charles Dien 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Celeste globe by Charles Dien it is signed Charles Dien 1840 in very good general condition measurements: 36 cm high and 15 cm in diameter very good condition.
Wood
$1,495 / set
H 0.38 in W 28.25 in D 19.25 in
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Pad
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom brown leather desk pad By Tiffany...
Bronze
$3,250 / set
H 4.63 in W 5.75 in D 3 in
Pair of Antique Bronze Sculpture Paperweights Wounded Stag and Wild Boar
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Pair of figural bronze paperweights over cararra marble bases. circa early 19th century; models of "Il Porcellino" and "Wounded Stag" Item # C104009 A superb pair of 19th century p...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
$14,000 / set
H 16.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Rounded Globe Style Tantalus Liquor Set
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Globe Style Tantalus liquor set. The round globe top which rests on an elongated ormolu base is not common to find. The crystal top is m...
Crystal, Ormolu
Italian Pietre Dure Panel of Parrot on Branch, Late 17th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Pietre Dure panel inset with lapis lazuli, marmo giallo, in a rectangular shape, probably a panel from a cabinet.
Marble
$4,505Sale Price|40% Off
H 6.5 in W 14.57 in D 10.63 in
Antique English Victorian Bramah Leather Fold-out Stationary Writing Desk
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful & Luxurious Handcrafted Victorian Bramah Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets. Complete with Beautifully Desi...
Brass
Gucci Leather and Brass Note Pad, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome leather notepad by Gucci. Made in Italy, circa 1980s. Rich color to saddle leather with contrast stitching along the borders. Brass brackets holding leather flap. New 3" x 5...
Brass
Salta Large Square Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Salta Medium Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Art Deco Cast Metal Greyhound Dog Sculpture, Bronze Finish, USA, 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful cast metal bronze greyhound dog sculpture. An elegant, detailed cast sculpture depicting a greyhound dog.. Sculptures depicting a greyhound dog. Made with the fusion sys...
Metal
Salta Medium Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Late 19th Century Pair of French Eggs in Malachite
Located in Madrid, ES
Late 19th Century Pair of French Eggs in malachite on a patinated metal base. Dim.: (height) 35 cm. Very good condition.
Malachite
Sold
H 4 in W 11 in D 8 in
19th Century Gilt Bronze Inkwell Stand Set with Ink Blotter and Candleholder
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Portuguese Baroque style solid gilt bronze desk set of double inkwell Stand, ink blotter and candleholder, Portugal 1870-1880 All three pieces richly decorated with foliage features,...
Bronze
19th Century English Tortoise Ink Stand
Located in Paris, FR
Small English ink stand crafted of tortoise, crystal and gilt bronze by Patent in London. It is richly decorated with inlaid foliage and floral motifs. This stand is well appointed f...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Hand-Carved Wooden Bookends
Located in Atlanta, GA
Friendly pair of vintage hand-carved bookends made of wood and having three different wood finishes. Each has a stylized carved gazelle, one seated and one standing, on top of a carved rock and resting...
Wood