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.
18th Century Continental Baroque Period Gilt Tooled Leather Clad Knife Box
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce original antique European Baroque Period tooled leather clad cutlery caddy, circa 1740 Handcrafted in Continental Europe in the first half of...
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Set of 3 English Porcelain Cutleries
Located in Brescia, IT
This set of three cutleries: fork, knive, spoon, are handmade in porcelain with the silver forged and decorated with flower drawings. An handcrafted work, fine and very delicate, ver...
Silver
$1,120Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 13 in W 2.5 in D 1 in
19th Century Hand-Carved Bone Alligator Handled Culinary Carving Set
Located in Van Nuys, CA
19th Century hand-carved bone alligator handled culinary carving set with a cutting knife, fork, and sharpener. This matching set features an alligator carved on each handle. Fr...
Bone
Set of Early 19th Century English Derby Porcelain Dessert Service
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Early 19th Century English Derby Porcelain Dessert Service. 18 plates, 7 shaped dishes, 1 sauce tureen with lid and underplate.
Porcelain
$1,600 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 9 in
Set of Six Antique 19th Century English Blue and White Porcelain Plates
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of six antique 19th century english blue and white porcelain plates.
Porcelain
$17,000 / set
H 14.75 in W 9 in D 11 in
Pair of English Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Cutlery Boxes. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English mahogany serpentine inlaid slant top cutlery boxes with exterior Satinwood inlaid conch shells, satinwood and ebony inlaid interior stars, with original slotted fitt...
Mahogany Burl Knife Box Attributed to Theodore Alexander
Located in Doylestown, PA
Theodore Alexander attributed mahogany knife box. A serpentine hinged lid reveals an open interior. Beautiful box adorned with reticulated brass hardware with side drop handles and...
Mahogany
English Queen Anne Shagreen Knife Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Rare Queen Anne with shagreen cover red fabric fitted interior for silver tableware set terminating in brass feet.
English Cutlery letter holder 18th century
Located in MILL, NL
Fantastic Mahogany English Cutlery Tray, which may have been later converted into a letter holder. Originating from the 18th century. Perfect condition.
Mahogany
Late 18th Century George III Knife Box
Located in Charlottesville, VA
George III knife box of serpentine form with a sloped, hinged lid. The front and lid are centered with inlaid oval paterae of radiating segments, bordered throughout with banded stri...
Wood
$5,200 / set
H 24.75 in W 13.25 in D 13.25 in
19th Century Pair of Mahogany William IV Cutlery Urns, ca 1835
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of William IV Mahogany and Ebony Inlaid Cutlery Urns, England, c. 1835, domed square lid fluted and carved with leaf motif, canted and paneled sides with fluted corners set on c...
Ebony, Mahogany
$895 / set
H 0.79 in W 0.99 in D 7.09 in
Flatware Bernadotte 'Scanline' 6 Person Cutlery Set, 39 Pieces, Mid-Century
By Sigvard Bernadotte, P. Broste Copenhagen
Located in Andernach, DE
''Scanline'' design by Sigvard Bernadotte, around 1955. Brass/bronze shimmering flatware. Sigvard Bernadotte (1907-2002). The RISD Museum - Rhode Island School of Design Museum hold...
Bronze, Metal
$1,296Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 9.45 in W 9.06 in D 1.78 in
19th Century Set of Twelve Antique Sterling Silver 'Entremet' Knives
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A 19th century set of twelve antique sterling silver 'Entremet' knives, the blades hallmarked with the 950/100 Minerva head stamp and offered in their original blue silk-lined presen...
Sterling Silver
Pair of George III Mahogany Knife Boxes, UK, Early 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
This pair have the typical shape of boxes from this period, with shaped serpentine front, sloped hinged lid, and boxwood and ebony lines. Each cover is inlaid with an oval patera and...
Mahogany