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.
$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
Pair of Italian 18th Century Baroque Period Giltwood Statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely decorative true pair of Italian 18th century Baroque period giltwood statues. Each statue is raised by a rectangular ground like designed base where the char...
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
French Chinoiserie Wig Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and painted, arched-top, Chinoiserie decorated hinged wig box with original bronze hardware. The top featuring a trio of figures in a lush landscap...
Wood, Paint
$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
Spectacular Pair of 18th Century Italian Prickets, Great Old Worn Finish/Patina
Located in Buchanan, MI
Spectacular pair of 18th century Italian prickets, great old worn finish/patina. Great scale and proportions.
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved Wood Candelabra
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming 19th century carved wood four arm candleabra in the form of a putti with silver leaf finish. Lovely Color And Patina.
Metal
Playing children, hand carved
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Hand carved playing children, original painted white. There is missing a part, a tree of life or something similar (see picture 6).
Wood
19th Century Carved Wood Italian Urn Mounted as Lamp, Charming small scale.
Located in Buchanan, MI
19th century carved wood Italian urn mounted as lamp, silver leaf finish with nice old patina. Charming smaller scale.
Silver Leaf
Bowl Large Dairy Fruitwood Folk Vernacular, 18th Century
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An exceptional, large 18th century treen turned fruitwood dairy bowl with a rich lustrous patina Provenance: Collection of the late Geoffrey Harley, Pickwick End, Corsham The f...
Fruitwood
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
Amazing 19th Century French Lidded Box
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century French lidded box with boulle-style inlay on lid (sawwork + mirrors). Dimensions: 7 x 31 x 23 cm. In good condition.
Wood
$2,857 / set
PAIR OF ITALIAN TWO-LUME APPLIQUES 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF ITALIAN TWO-LUME APPLIQUES 18th Century Italians, gilt carving with metal applications. Small defects. Dim.: 53 x 32 cm good conditions
Wood
A Brass Hanukkah Lamp , Morocco 19th century
Located in New York, NY
Hannukah lamp from Morocco made out of brass cast in the late 19th century. The backplate for this menorah is built like the front of a structure with three doorways under three clo...
Brass
$594Sale 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
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
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
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
Baroque Dutch Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Baroque Dutch style in gilt bronze by Gherardo Degli Albizzi. As a faithful replica, it features different ball-shaped elements. The sconce ends with a...
Bronze
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