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.
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Baroque Lighting
Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Blown Glass
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Lighting
Brass
1930s French Vintage Baroque Lighting
Bronze
1940s American Vintage Baroque Lighting
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Brass, Iron
19th Century Antique Baroque Lighting
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Resin
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 20th Century Baroque Lighting
Wood, Mirror
Early 20th Century American Baroque Lighting
Brass
1940s Austrian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Metal, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century American Baroque Lighting
Bronze, Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century American Baroque Lighting
Silver Plate, Brass
19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Rock Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Giltwood
1970s Italian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century American Baroque Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Lighting
Crystal, Brass
1960s French Vintage Baroque Lighting
Plaster
1920s French Vintage Baroque Lighting
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Lighting
Wrought Iron, Steel
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Slag Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Gold
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Lighting
Iron, Tin
1920s Vintage Baroque Lighting
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Lighting
Wood
1910s Belgian Vintage Baroque Lighting
Bronze
20th Century American Baroque Lighting
Brass, Wrought Iron
1930s American Vintage Baroque Lighting
Bronze