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.
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Plate, 'K.k. Lustschloß Schönbrunn Á Vienne', 1818
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with a finely painted polychrome veduta: In the mirror view of the Viennese summer palace Schönbrunn with the Gloriette on the hill in the background, seen fr...
Porcelain
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Plate, 'Lustschloß Schönbrunn', Rich Gilding, 1813
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with a finely painted polychrome veduta: In the centre, a view of the Viennese summer palace of Schönbrunn with its gardens, as seen from the hill opposite, w...
Porcelain
Danish 18th Century Brass And Wood Nutcracker
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish 18th Century brass and wood nutcracker.
Brass
Scandinavian 18th Century Brass Nutcracker with Wooden Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 18th century brass nutcracker, probably from Denmark. The brass cracker top glows and is balanced by the brass ends with petite ball tips. Strong warm wooden handles are the p...
Brass
French Bronze Doré Photo Frame, 19th Century
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
French bronze doré photo frame, 19th century.
Bronze
Silver Mounted Ostrich Egg Goblet, England 1860-1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
English confectionery goblet or cup featuring the shell of an ostrich egg mounted into silver. The silver rim engraved with the initials ED England approx. 1860-1900. Minor repa...
Silver
Set of 3 Italian Venetian Red and Gold Glass Goblets
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 3 Italian Mid-Century Venetian-style glass goblets of varying heights with red glass globes, clear glass stems, and gold dusted circular glass feet (PRICED AS SET)
Glass
Pair of Italian Venetian Murano Nautilus Salt Cellars
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Italian Venetian (1930) Murano ruby red and gold dusted glass salt and pepper holder in the form of a nautilus shell. (PRICED AS PAIR) Condition: Good; Wear consistent with ...
Glass
Silver Cup "tembladera", 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Without hallmarks. Container known as catavinos (wine tasting cup) or tembladera with two flat handles in the form of closed "S" (with simplified vegetable decoration) and a line "d...
Silver
Antique Vienna Baroque Silver Sugar Box, by Zacharias Fayll, 1705/1715
Located in Vienna, AT
Baroque silver box with loose plug-in lid in a bulbous oval shape, flush stand without feet, in the lower area of the container and on the lid chased boss decoration with ornamentati...
Silver
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Splendour Plate, Playing Cupids As Hunters, 1805
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with fine polychrome painted scenery: In the mirror five winged cupids dressed as hunters with dog in a summer landscape agains...
Porcelain
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Bouquet', 1827
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre a finely painted bouquet with roses and forget-me-nots against a black background. The plate rim...
Porcelain
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Veduta Plate, 'K.k. Hofburg Á Vienne', 1818
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with a finely painted polychrome veduta: The plate shows a view of the Vienna Hofburg, the 'Leopoldinischer Trakt', Leopoldine Wing, with the Ceremonial Apart...
Porcelain
$3,800
H 29.14 in W 31.89 in D 7.21 in
Gustavian, 18th Century Plate Rack with Original Rosemåling Painting
Located in New York, NY
Gustavian Swedish 18th century plate rack with original gorgeous rosemåling painting, circa 1800, origin: Northern Sweden.
Wood
18th Century George III Mahogany Footed Knife Boxes
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exceedingly rare and important pair of George III-period mahogany knife boxes of exceptional quality and condition. The boxes are of serpentine form with refined crossbanded and c...
Serpentine
18th Century European Carved Pine Trunk
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century European carved pine trunk Brilliant antique trunk / blanket chest from Europe. This can also be used as a toy chest, games chest, linen chest, etc. The chest meas...
Pine
Pyramidal Smoking Set, Germany, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Pyramidal smoking set is an original decorative object realized in Germany in the 1970s. A unique object composed by four ashtrays and a lighter. Table lighter vintage plastic ...
Metal
French 18th Century Agricultural Fragment
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming 18th century agricultural fragment in wood and iron from the Southwest of France. Wonderful as a tabletop or countertop small pedestal to display a sculpture.
Iron
19th Century "Lady Legs" Corkscrew
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Lady legs corkscrew with striped hose and boots. Two small pieces of hose missing on reverse side. Period: Last quarter 19th century Origin: Colorado Size...
Metal
$4,311
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Japonism Style Green Minton Plate, 1876
By Minton, Christopher Dresser
Located in Paris, FR
Green Aesthetic Minton Porcelain Plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representi...
Porcelain
Antique Just Andersen, Denmark. Pewter Viking Ship Salt #1109
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Antique Just Andersen, Danish pewter Viking ship salt cellar. Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Circa 1920's Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1....
Pewter
$22,470 / set
H 17.33 in W 29.53 in D 20.48 in
Salvador Dali Service Porcelain 113 Pieces 1977 Limited Edition N°577/1000
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) world-famous Spanish painter, graphic artist, and sculptor of surrealism designed this Ceramic edition Painted Porcelain with 24-karat gold rim, complete service for 12 in a fitted trunk in 1977. Plates are signed on front and back, and inscribed number n°577/1000. Porcelain Brand Schirnding Porzellan AG in Bavaria Germany Each piece is decorated with mermaids flanked by red coral, Dali's signatures and small symbolic depictions of a fisherman, an ant, a snail, a sailboat, a nude maiden and a bird, with gilded rims. Complete service of 113 pieces for 12 persons in fitted trunk composed : 12 large plates: Diameter 24.5 cm 12 small plates: Diameter 20 cm 12 soup plates: Height 4 cm; Diameter 23 cm 12 soup bowls + 12 saucers : Height 5.5 cm; Diameter 11.5 cm 12 bowls cereal or fruits bowl: Height 4.5 cm; Diameter 14 cm 2 terrines: Height c. 15-17 cm; Inner diameter: c. 12.5-14.5 cm 1 underdish 1 round serving tray: Diameter 30 cm 2 serving bowls: Height 6.5-7.5 cm; Inner diameter 18-21 cm 2 dishes: Dimensions: 21 x 34 cm; 22 x 35.5 cm 2 sauceboat with 1 saucer h 8 cm 1 coffee pot: Height c. 23 cm 1 teapot with warmer...
Porcelain
$348
H 2.25 in W 4.25 in D 1.75 in
Just Andersen, Denmark Bronze Patina Disko Metal Viking Ship Salt #1109
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen Danish bronze patina Disko metal Viking ship salt cellar. circa 1920s Stamped and numbered 1109 on base Height 2.25 inch, Width 4.25 inch, Depth 1.75 inch In good ...
Metal
19th Century French Vineyard Wine Rack
Located in Forney, TX
Rustic French country vineyard or winery two-person wooden wine bottle carrier. Hand-crafted in France in the late 19th century, primitive solid wood frame, dual handle, fitted with patinated metal grid form bottle holder. Monumental sixty bottle capacity. This wonderful and rare industrial antique, circa 1890, was used to transport large quantities, up to sixty bottles, per trip. Repurposed, it can be used many different ways, including as a bottle rack, wine cellar, functional display stand, farmhouse harvest decor, outdoors as yard art, or a truly unique garden vine...
Metal
18th Century Pewter Charger
Located in High Point, NC
18th century pewter charger from England with London marks on the back of the rim, which is pictured. Gorgeous patina.
Pewter
Sold
H 1.15 in Dm 8.08 in
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Bouquet', 1827
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre a finely painted bouquet with rose and tulip against a black background. The plate rim is salmon...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.38 in Dm 9.45 in
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Hibiscus', 1825
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre a finely painted hibiscus blossom in bright red with a stem and tuft of leaves against a black b...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.42 in Dm 9.38 in
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Oleander', 1828
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre finely painted oleander blossoms in bright colours with a stem and tuft of leaves against a blac...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.46 in Dm 9.73 in
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Dahlia', 1824
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre, a finely painted white dahlia flower with a stem and leaf panicles against a black background. ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.38 in Dm 9.53 in
Antique Viennese Imperial Porcelain, Botanical Splendour Plate, 'Iris', 1825
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with polychrome painted botanical illustration: In the centre, a finely painted iris blossom against a black background. The plate rim is salmon-coloured with...
Porcelain
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Splendour Plate, 'K.k. Hofburg Á Vienne', 1802
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Porcelain picture plate with a fine polychrome painted veduta: in the mirror a view of the Vienna Hofburg, the Leopoldine Wing with ceremonial apartments and the outer Burgplatz, see...
Porcelain
19th Century Hunter's Stirrup Beaker Cup in Horn
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Antique horn stirrup cup with worn silver-plated rim, circa 1830's. A stirrup cup is a "parting cup" used to serve sherry or brandy at the begi...
Silver Plate, Brass
Surtout de Table, Venice 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-piece surtout de table or center piece with silver mount and lion paws and old mirror glass with rocaille decoration. Venetian silver hallmark on the mount. Dimensions of the s...
Silver
Silver Drinking Cups Set, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of catavinos. Silver. XVII century. Pair of glasses or mugs for drinking wine made of silver in its color that have a small and low cylindrical foot, a flared rim towards the top and a central area curved...
Silver
Sold
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
KPM Berlin Coffee Set, Dejeuner for 2 Persons, Birds, Insects & Gold, ca 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Manufactory: KPM Berlin - Royal Porcelain Manufactory Belin, Germany Coffee service, consisting of 8 parts: lidded coffee pot, lidded milk jug, lidded sugar bowl, two cups, two saucers, oval serving platter. Shape: New-osier - curved ribs and basket rim, handles modeled on branches. Designed around 1770. Decor: Birds, insects & gold borders - Elaborate and extensive painting with wild birds and farm poultry, as well as scattered insects, gold decoration and gold borders on the edges. Dating: circa 1900 Material: porcelain, painted, glossy finish Technique: handmade porcelain Dimensions: 1 coffee pot with lid - height = 17.0 cm / 6.69 in 1 creamer with lid - height = 13.5 cm / 5.31 in 1 sugar urn...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Pair Antique German Silver Wine Champagne Coolers c. 1890 Messonnier Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of truly magnificent Antique Solid Silver Wine Coolers / Champagne Buckets based closely on the early 18th century engravings by Juste Aurele Meissonnier. The engraved plate d...
Silver
19th French Coffee and Tea Set in Silver by Alphonse Debain
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding French coffee and tea set in silver, 19th century, Napoleón III, by the famous French silversmith and goldsmith Alphonso Debain ( 1883-1911), rue de Temple , París. A ve...
Silver, Silver Plate