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.
Baroque Meissen Figure, Harlequin With Bagpipes, By J.J. Kaendler, Circa 1745
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Rococo harlequin with bagpipes of most lovely appearance.: The lovely harlequin is sitting on a rocky base which is decorated with some flower blossoms with leaves. The male ...
Porcelain
Rare Bust of Alexander II in Gilded Bronze on a Malachite Base from the 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Alexander II. Rare bust of Alexander II in gilded bronze on a malachite base from the 19th century The quality of the bronze is excellent with man...
Malachite, Bronze
$10,043Sale 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
Cast Bronze Wall Sculpture with Seven Children Chorus.Europe, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cast bronze wall sculpture with seven children chorus. Europe, early 20th century. Signed M. Raúl Couceiro.
Bronze
$60,460Sale Price|20% Off
Large Terracotta Relief - Lombardy, First Half of 17th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large Terracotta relief of the flight into Egypt Lombardy, first half of 17th century Painted terracotta 91 x 85 x 11,5 cm This event in the early life of Christ is recounted i...
Terracotta
$22,950 / set
Archangel Sculptures, 17th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of late 17th Century Italian Baroque carved wood, gold gilded and polychromed Archangel sculptures mounted on Lucite bases.
Gold Leaf
A Rare French Marble Relief of Putti Fragment, Late 17th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Rare French Marble Relief of PuttiFragment Late 17th Century Century Height 14 in. Width 33 in. Carved throughtout with three putti figures Provenance: Private Collector, Bor...
Stone, Marble
$604Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Antique Frieze Sculpture, Silvered Copper, Baroque Style, 1750
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Long Italian antique frieze in silvered copper on wooden base. It is no longer easy to find these ancient friezes: this is very decorative and can be hu...
Copper
Serpentine Sculpture 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Serpentine sculpture. 19th century. It represents the abduction of Sabina and is made in Rome-Italy in the nineteenth century.Measures: 98 cm high.
Serpentine
Barbedienne Art Nouveau Onyx Clock, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
BARBEDIENNE ART NOUVEAU ONYX CLOCK EXCELLENT CLOCK OF THE XIX CENTURY MADE IN ONYX AND BRONZE BY BARBEDIENNE-SIGNED ON THE CLOCK AND ON THE CUP ART N...
Bronze
Head of a Saint from the 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Head of a saint from the 18th century. The head is in good condition, it is made of wax, with glass eyes. Italy 18th century. Measurements: 20x22x15 cm.
Glass
Anatomical Model in Wax from the 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Anatomical model in wax from the 18th century Extraordinary didactic anatomical model in wax. The use of this type of didactic model disappeared entering the 19th century and with t...
Other
Gilded Bronze and Silver Figure 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Gilded bronze and silver figure. Figure in golden bronze on wooden pedestal and decorated with silver shield. Present some Missing see photos. Measures: 35 x 30 x 17 cm. good condi...
Bronze
Beautiful Early 1800's Medallion of Tsar Alexander II
Located in Madrid, ES
BEAUTIFUL EARLY 1800'S MEDALLION OF TSAR ALEXANDER II. IN GOOD GEMERAL CONDITION. PRESENT SLIGHT FAULTS ON THE EDGES- SEE PHOTOS. MEASURES: 10 CM DIAMET...
Bronze
Carlo Marcellini 'Florence 1644 – 1713', Florentine Baroque Putto
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Carlo Marcellini (Florence 1644 – 1713) Putto White and green marble 41.5 x 73.5 cm This marble putto carved in high relief, almost a tutto tondo, and set on an elegant green marble background, appears almost naked, sitting on a cloud. His peculiar pose, in adoration, suggests that the work was a part of a larger composition including other figures in devotion. Published in 2007 by Sandro Bellesi in the monograph dedicated to Gioacchino Fortini (pg.155), this beautiful marble putto was included in the catalog of Carlo Marcellini, a prominent figure in the baroque renewal of Florentine art. Born in Florence in 1644, Carlo Marcellini received his artistic education in the city of the lily, specializing in stone sculpture and stucco modeling under the guidance of Bartolomeo Cennini before continuing his studies in Rome in the Accademia Medicea founded by the Grand Duke Cosimo III in order to familiarize some more promising artists with the essential “ taste of Rome ”. Under the guidance of Ercole Ferrata and Ciro Ferri, Giovan Battista Foggini...
Marble
Beautiful Pair of Angels, Provence or Italy, 17th c.
Located in PARIS, FR
Set of Ceroferous Angels, bearing the light brought by Christ. Beautiful sculpture . Very fine workmanship . Mounted on cherub-like supports, one arm on the hip. Gilt and polychrome...
Wood
$9,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Candle Holders, 17th Century Italian Polychromed Carved Wood
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of early 17th Century Baroque polychromed carved wood Angel sculptures with torch shaped candleholders.
Gold Leaf
The Ascension Of Christ, Bas-relief In Giltwood, 17th C. Flanders?
Located in PARIS, FR
Bas-relief in sculpted and gilded wood portraying the Ascension of Christ. By ascending to heaven, Jesus fulfils the meaning of his resurrection: to join, with his body, in the glor...
Giltwood
Pair of Oak Ceroferarius Angels , Flanders , 17th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of cerulean angels sculpted in the round in a very lively position (the movement in the hair is remarkable), almost baroque. Very nice execution of the armour in the ...
Oak
Pair of cereriferous angels, Flanders, 17th c.
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of ceraferous angels sculpted in the round in a very lively position (the movement in the hair is remarkable), almost Baroque. Very fine execution of the plastron armo...
Oak
Large Baroque Statues, Italy Genova 17th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of large statues carved in the round, probably representing cerulean angels (although there is no evidence of wings on the back), or allegories of fortune (in which case we can ...
Wood
Late 17th Century French Fine Carved Wood and Polychromed Pocket Watch Holder
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 17th century French extremely fine carved wood polychromed and gold gilded pocket watch holder. It has a carved cup behind the front opening to hold th...
Lucite, Wood