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.
Large Antique 18th Century Italian Sculptural Wooden Barley Twisted Pedestal
Located in Odense, DK
A striking hand-carved wooden sculpture, nearly 200 cm tall, with a twisted form that evokes organic movement and architectural rhythm. Painted in delicate layers of soft pink, green...
Oak, Wood
18th Century Italian Hand Carved Baroque Giltwood Reliquary
Located in Port Jervis, NY
18th century reliquary from northern Italy. Giltwood, polychromed and looks to be hand carved from one piece of wood. Mortised thru the base. A reliquary was used to house a religio...
Glass, Giltwood
17th Century Portuguese Pair of Antique Baroque Gilded Pinewood Table Bases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of Portuguese Baroque architectural table bases made of hand carved Pinewood, in good condition. The partly gilded pieces are particularized by floral décor. Authenti...
Pine, Giltwood
$11,763 / set
Pair of Spanish Spiral Columns of the 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Spanish spiral columns of the 17th century in carved and gilded wood, decorated with plant elements, vines, bunches of grapes and birds. Small flaws in polychrome Dimension. ...
Wood
17th Century Italian Candlestick with Fossil Agate Coral & Pearls on Lucite
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
17th century distressed Italian decorated church candlestick with fossil agate coral and natural forming baroque pearls on a lucite base. The 17th century Italian distressed candles...
Coral, Agate
$5,100Sale Price|40% Off
Angelo Basso Bronze Sculpture 'Vanity', Baroque Style, Italy, 1980s
By Angelo Basso
Located in Miami, FL
This striking bronze figurative sculpture by renowned Italian-American artist Angelo Basso is a testament to his exceptional craftsmanship and mastery of ...
Bronze
18th Century French Wooden Baroque Decoration On Metal Base
Located in High Point, NC
This 18th Century French wooden Baroque decoration is a richly carved fragment transformed into a striking sculptural object. Featuring an abundant cluster of fruit—likely pomegranat...
Metal
$2,543Sale Price|44% Off
Castilian millstone in granite and iron sculpture foot
By Soft Baroque
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind traditional Castilian millstone, wheel, or millstone, circular in shape , forming a unique, singular, and impressive sculpture. The piece is made of granite, and vari...
Granite, Iron
$9,959Sale Price|20% Off
Baroque Rain White Ceramic Sculpture Glazed Earthenware Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Renzi & Reale, Baroque Rain, 2003, glazed earthenware. Measures: 36 x 36 x 56 cm Large white ceramic sculpture by renowned designer-...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Pair of Antique 17th-Century Oak Church Pew Finals—Exquisite Hand-Carved Flowers
Located in Saint Helena, CA
Exquisite flowers in hearty oak This is a pair of antique finials or decorative finishing elements. Dating circa 1680 and nearly 350 years old, they are remarkable ...
Wood, Oak
20th Century French Wooden Baroque Decoration On Metal Base
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th Century French wooden Baroque decoration features richly sculpted fruit motifs and traces of its original polychrome finish, offering a striking example of ornamental craft...
Metal
$1,030Sale Price|44% Off
H 19.49 in W 12.6 in D 2.37 in
Italian 18th century baroque Carved Wooden Silvered Panel / Coat Of Arms
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing baroque panel depicting a crowned reliquary . Beautiful weathered with traces of its original silver, gilding and colour. Italy circa 1750 Weathered, small losses . Measureme...
Wood
$465Sale Price|46% Off
H 3.55 in W 4.34 in D 9.85 in
18th Century Italian Hand Carved Wooden Baroque Hand of a Santos/ Saint
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful original period piece and very decorative item. The hand of a baroque Saint figure with its original color. Italy circa 1750 Weathered. H:9cm W:11cm D:25cm
Wood
Incised Pair of 17th Century Ottoman Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Beautiful and rare museum quality pair of incised of 17th Century Ottoman bronze candlesticks. They are virtually identical to the one pictured on...
Bronze
$1,501Sale Price|43% Off
H 24.61 in W 7.49 in D 3.94 in
Large Hand-Carved Giltwood Baroque Angel Ornament, Italy, Circa 1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and large handcarved giltwood baroque ornament that once adorned a chapel or a church. It represents an baroque angel between acanthus leaves. Amazing period piece in a ver...
Wood
$895
H 16.25 in W 6.25 in D 6.25 in
1980s Italian Bronze Riace Warrior Sculpture Statue Signed Pintoneilo
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Italian Bronze Riace Warrior Sculpture Statue Signed Pintoneilo Offered for sale is a circa 1980s bronze statue of the older Riace Warrior sculpture. This bronze is extremely ...
Bronze
$500Sale Price|46% Off
H 6.5 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Small 18th Century Italian Carved Wooden Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Buisson, FR
Stunning handcarved wooden head fragment with beautiful expression and glass eyes, Italy, circa 1750-1800. Beautiful example of 18th century craftsmanship. Weathered Measurement her...
Glass, Wood
Spanish Sculpture of Saint Jerome, Late 17th Century
Located in CH
A Late 17th-Century Spanish Wood Sculpture of a Penitent Saint Jerome Possibly Seville, circa 1680 A powerful and expressive carved wood sculptu...
Wood
$1,053Sale Price|49% Off
H 17.72 in W 5.91 in D 4.53 in
French 18th Century Baroque Hand Carved Oak Caryatid Figure
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful period piece. Beautiful weathered baroque hand carved oak caryatid figure carrying a fruit basket. Weathered. France circa 1750 Measurements include the wooden base. H:45c...
Oak
$1,053Sale Price|43% Off
H 17.92 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Italian 18th Century Hand Carved Baroque Angel Fragment, Italian, Circa 1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful hand carved Baroque angel fragment. Unique period piece with traces of its old color . Italy, circa 1750 Weathered. small losses. Measurement here below includes the wood...
Wood
17th-Century Carved Wooden Angel – Polychrome and Gilded Sculpture
Located in TEYJAT, FR
17th-Century Carved Wooden Angel – Polychrome and Gilded Sculpture (One Wing Remaining) Height: 70 cm Width: 33 cm A beautiful 17th-century carved wooden angel, depicted kneeling i...
Wood
$794Sale Price|45% Off
H 9.26 in W 10.63 in D 3.35 in
French 18th Century Hand Carved Baroque Winged Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful hand carved winged angel head with its original color and gilding. France, circa 1750 Weathered and small losses and old repair. Treated against woodworm. Measurement here...
Wood
$1,326
H 8.27 in W 3.94 in D 1.58 in
17th century small polychrome and gilded wood religious figure statue
By Bernini
Located in London, GB
A stunning small polychrome and gilded 17th century European small wooden sculpture of a Religious or Royal figure. Possibly one of the three Magi. Very fine carving .
Giltwood
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 4.73 in
White ceramic figurine sculpture by Andrea Salvatori Italy Contemporary Unique
Located in London, GB
"Invasata" - unique piece, 2020, glazed earthenware. Andrea Salvatori (Italy, 1975) is a visual artist working in ceramics to realize ironic and witty sculptures, sometimes involv...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Important Marble High Relief "BOAR HUNT" 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Marble High Relief "BOAR HUNT" 18th Century 55x123x7 cm approx. Performed for the Grand Tour. good condition for the age
Carrara Marble
Baroque Style Faux Bois MAC Gilt Candlestick Floor Sculpture, Mar Co.
By MAC
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Tall floor torchère sculpture by Mar Co.' and 'M.A.C. Sculpture, Inc. California. This baroque inspired sculptural floor candlestick is made of resin with a reflective gilt painted f...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 82.29 in Dm 15.75 in
Huge Antique 18th Century Italian Sculptural Wooden Barley Twisted Pedestal
Located in Odense, DK
A tremendously unique and rare barley twisted column / pedestal in solid oak, later painted in various colors. This architectural piece was made by an Italian cabinetmaker in the lat...
Wood, Oak
Antique Gothic Giltwood Frieze
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Italian antique frieze in hand-carved wood and gilded gold leaf. Very rare. (See my published ancient friezes). You can hang it on the headboard, on a...
Fruitwood
18th Century Spanish Silver on Wood Baroque Reliquary
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and detailed reliquary holder with a thin hammered layer of silver on wood. Beautiful details., Spain, circa 1750. Weathered and small losses.
Silver
Small 19th Century Italian Carved Baroque Style House Altar
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique carved small house altar with its original gilding and several colors visible. Italy, circa 1800-1850. Weathered.
Wood
Pair of Spanish Solomonic Columns, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Spanish Solomonic columns, 18th century. In carved, polychrome and gilded wood. Height: 76 cm. each. good condition.
Wood
Pair 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Vase Finial Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful 18th century baroque finial ornaments with great old colors and gilding. Portugal circa 1750. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Mor...
Wood
Pair 18th Century Italian Giltwood Baroque Vase Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful 18th century giltwood baroque ornaments in a good but weathered condition. Italy, circa 1750.
Wood
Sold
H 21.46 in W 8.27 in D 3.55 in
17th / 18th Century French Carved Oak Baroque Altar Niche with Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique carved oak Baroque altar niche. France, circa 1650-1750. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement includes the wooden base.
Oak
Baroque Carved Pine Cherub Figure, 17th Century Italian
Located in Cypress, CA
Lovely 17th century Italian Baroque hand carved pine figure depicting a flying cherub with a satchel. The large size of this figure makes this especial...
Pine