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.
Little Alabaster Dog of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
LITTLE ALABASTER DOG OF THE XIX CENTURY. DOG IN MINIATURE OF THE XIX CENTURY. MEASURES: 11X11X5CM. Good condition.
Alabaster
$616Sale 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
Large 18th Century German Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
Large 18th century German sculpture solid wooden sculpture representing a shepherd. German work from the 18th century. Measure: height 114cm. Good...
Wood
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
19th Century Pair of Bronze Statues Romeo and Juliet
Located in Marseille, FR
Pair of bronze statues representing the most famous and romantic lovers of Verona: Romeo and Juliet. Period 19th century by Angelo Cuglierero (...
Bronze
Coppia di Angeli Reggicero in Legno Italia Inizio XVIII Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of angels from the Baroque period, resting on plinths adorned with characteristic curlicue motifs and putti heads; the two figures are depicted in a mirror-image position, one a...
Wood
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
Italian early 18th century Baroque Period Giltwood Conch Shell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most attractive Italian early 18th century Baroque Period patinated Wood and Giltwood Conch Shell architectural element. This most decorative carved Giltwood Conch ...
Wood, Giltwood
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
$9,200Sale Price|20% Off
Saint Apollonia of Alexandria, Patron of Dentistry, 18th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 18th Century Spanish carved-wood polychromed sculpture of Saint Apollonia of Alexandria, Patron of Dentistry. This actual sculpture appears in th...
Gold Leaf
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
$35,566 / set
Huge Pair of Italian Armchairs Tuscany, 17th c.
Located in PARIS, FR
Exceptional and huge pair of armchairs, in carved wood, decorated with acanthus leaves and volutes, the armrests ending in lions' heads, the footrests in dolphins' heads. Traces of ...
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
$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
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Angel Sculptures with Torch Shaped Candleholders, 17th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of early 17th Century Baroque polychromed carved wood Angel sculptures with torch shaped candleholders.
Gold Leaf
Pair of Hand-Carved Baroque Ceraferous Angels, Oak, Flanders, 1670
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
Lamp, Table, Sculpture, Oak, Mother & Child, Naïve, Baroque
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A Mother & Child, Naïve, Baroque, oak, sculpture, upcycled into a 25” high, table lamp - Unusual statement & conversation piece; introducing an enduring classic theme into the int...
Oak
Italian Painted and Lacquered Wooden Sculpture of a Kneeling Figure, Circa 1650
Located in CH
Italian Baroque Painted and Lacquered Wooden Sculpture of a Kneeling Figure Circa 1650 A finely carved Italian Baroque wooden sculpture depicting a kneeling figure, dating to approx...
Wood
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
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
Pair of Baroque Statues, Painted Lime Wood, Italy, 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