Baroque Lighting
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.
Early 18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Lighting
Crystal
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Lighting
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Crystal, Metal
19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Bronze
18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Lighting
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
2010s Italian Baroque Lighting
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Ormolu
1910s Vintage Baroque Lighting
Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Tin
20th Century German Baroque Lighting
Wood
Late 20th Century Baroque Lighting
Resin, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Lighting
Crystal, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Metal, Wrought Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
1950s European Vintage Baroque Lighting
Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Glass, Giltwood
20th Century European Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
1910s Vintage Baroque Lighting
Hardwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Early 19th Century Antique Baroque Lighting
Brass