Skip to main content

Baroque Primitives

BAROQUE STYLE

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
16
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Baroque
Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Iron

Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box

Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box

Related Items
Scandinavian 18th Century Wooden Box, Dated 1752
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish Baroque box with original ironwork, key and big strong perfectly working lock dated (forged in the iron) 1752. This special shaped pine wood box, bought in the region of "...
Category

1750s Norwegian Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Iron

Scandinavian 18th Century Wooden Box, Dated 1752
Scandinavian 18th Century Wooden Box, Dated 1752

Scandinavian 18th Century Wooden Box, Dated 1752

H 5.91 in W 9.45 in D 13.78 in
Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome primitive trough from the Catalan region of Spain. The trough is beautifully carved from a large solid block of wood. Serves wonderful...
Category

Mid-18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Wood

Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough
Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough

Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough

H 9.75 in W 46 in D 10.88 in
Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court
By Arthur Court
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous shell covered Folk Art box with lid. Covered in brown, black and cream conical shaped shells, it is a striking statement piece. The box which the shells cover, is created ...
Category

20th Century American Baroque Primitives

Materials

Shell, Wood

Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court
Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court

Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court

H 3 in W 9.75 in D 6.25 in
Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic very large scale 18th century Spanish dough bowl - or trough, carved from a single tree trunk. Perfect by a fireplace to house kindling, or filled with an assortment of c...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Wood

Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough
Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough

Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough

H 8 in W 73.38 in D 23 in
19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Classic icon from the last century. Once used in every household, now its cherished for its simplicity and beauty. Cast in it's lid is the ancient symbol of Rome, She wolf with her b...
Category

1870s Italian Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Iron

19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron
19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron

19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron

H 7.25 in W 4 in D 7.5 in
Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century ladder back child's chair from New England in fantastic condition. This early chair is mortised and square nail construction.
Category

1870s American Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair
Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair

Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair

H 26 in W 12 in D 11 in
Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher
Located in New Orleans, LA
This industrial cart was made to load and unload railroad cars in a Wisconsin factory about 1900, and is signed "Gopher Floor Truck, Faribault, Mn." This well worn salvage cart is ready to repurpose as a coffee table or whatever else you can imagine. The top deck is oak and maple planks with a very fine finish that preserves loads of wear, stains and separations for antique character. Four cast iron wheels are original on this American made factory cart. Solid and heavy it's the real McCoy...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher
Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher

Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher

H 13 in W 50.5 in D 23.5 in
Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th century American primitive demilune console table featuring center drawer with brass knob, straight plain foot legs and original finish. ...
Category

1830s American Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table
Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table

Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table

H 29 in W 54 in D 26.5 in
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A fascinating and truly unique early 20th century American Folk Art box with the most wonderful Greek temple design with eight blue painted Doric columns around the perimeter and wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Baroque Primitives

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box

H 6 in W 11.75 in D 7.5 in
Swedish 18th Century Original Blue Folk Art Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 18th century original painted decorative Folk Art box, with original lock and key.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Pine

Swedish 18th Century Original Blue Folk Art Painted Box
Swedish 18th Century Original Blue Folk Art Painted Box

Swedish 18th Century Original Blue Folk Art Painted Box

H 11.82 in W 22.05 in D 16.93 in
18th C Catalan Money Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
18th C Catalan wall-hanging money box having original powdery blue paint with original lock plate.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Wood

18th C Catalan Money Box
18th C Catalan Money Box

18th C Catalan Money Box

H 14.5 in W 11.5 in D 8 in
19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American primitive handmade gliding hobby horse. The piece features a carved wood horse, red painted wood base, cast iron hardware with star accents, and leather straps and s...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Baroque Primitives

Materials

Iron

19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse
19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse

19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse

H 36 in W 44.5 in D 16 in

Baroque primitives for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Baroque primitives for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 18th Century and Earlier, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage primitives created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with iron, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Baroque primitives made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for primitives differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,295 and tops out at $1,295 while the average work can sell for $1,295.

Recently Viewed

View All