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.
Pair of Italian 17th Century Baroque Period Giltwood Roman Mirrored Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and rare pair of Italian 17th century Baroque period giltwood Roman mirrored sconces. Each two arm sconce retains its original mirror backplate...
Mirror, Giltwood
Italian 19th Century Baroque Giltwood Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and extremely decorative early 19th century Italian Baroque giltwood chandelier. The chandelier with three different levels ...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian 18th Century Baroque St. Giltwood Lanterns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative pair of Italian 18th century Baroque st. giltwood lanterns. Each octagonal lantern is centered by a beautiful bottom foliate finial with a fine ball. A...
Glass, Giltwood
$12,500 / set
19th Century Patinated Bronze Figural Lamps, a Pair
Located in Sarasota, FL
An impressive pair of 19th Century patinated bronze figural lamps originally from a jewelry store in New York city. One sculpture is from the workshops of Saint Petersburg after the ...
Bronze
Original Old Barock Style Chandelier, circa 1890
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely chiselled gilded bronze. Multi-sectioned, ornamental relief ball bearing stem. Outgoing nine curved luminaries, ending in vase-shaped spouts over s...
Brass
Antique Italian Carved Wood Sconces, 19th Century
Located in palm beach, FL
Wood wall lamp has decorated with carved acanthus leaves with two arms of lights. The patina of time is superb, indeed the colors white, natural wood, golden and cracked gives a romantic and timeless tone to these Italian baroque lamps.
Wood
Pair of Italian 18th Century Baroque Period Patinated and Giltwood Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive true pair of Italian 18th century Baroque period patinated and giltwood sconces. Each sconce is centered by a beautiful and most decorative backplate w...
Wood, Giltwood
$9,750Sale Price / set|48% Off
Antique Bronze, Altar Stick Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rare, grand scale, hand-cast bronze, altar sticks turned into lamps from Veneto, Italy. The turned-form body atop incised, fish scale bases of the same. Now wired for U.S. cu...
Bronze
Sconce Wall Iron Hood Vernacular Folk Baroque 17 Century
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Extremely rare survival of a 17th century vernacular iron wall sconce Unusually incorporating a hood to protect against fire and reflect the heat back into the room so it does not r...
Wrought Iron
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
Early 19th Century Pair of French Brass Twin Wall Sconces
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
An early 19th century pair of french brass twin wall sconces A pair of large French gilded twin arm antique wall candle sconces, the ornate lea...
Brass
Bronze Candle Holders Pair, 20th Century, after Antique Models
Located in Madrid, ES
Two bronze candlesticks. Twentieth century. Two practically equal bronze candlesticks with a triangular base on legs (these with vegetal elements finished in claws holding balls) ...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Baroque Style Ormolu Mirrored Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Baroque st. ormolu mirrored sconces. Each sconce is centered by a single finely scrolled arm adorned with a large acanthus leaf leading to the ...
Ormolu
Pair of Italian 18th Century Baroque St. Bras De Lumière Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and finely carved pair of Italian 18th century Baroque st. Bras de Lumières. The pierced back plate is decorated with scrolled acanthus l...
Giltwood
Stand Lamp from the Castle Hotel in Berlin, by the Designer Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Berlin, DE
This lamp stand from the castle hotel in Berlin. The entire facility was designed by designer Karl Lagerfeld. The hotel has now been bought by the fashion designer Patrick Hellmann.
Wood