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 Italian Baroque Girandoles or Mirrors
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very unusual pair of late 17th or early 18th century Italian Baroque Girandoles. The girandoles feature a finely executed carved gilt wood frame that is surmounted by a fin...
Gold Leaf
$580Sale Price|40% Off
Gilt Wood Baroque Mirror, Silver Hand-Carved, Italy, 1960s, 2-light Mirror
Located in Andernach, DE
Unusual Louis XIV style silver Girandole with 2 lights, Italy. Beautiful silver finished in an antique style with red-brownish effects. Fantastic 1960s Italian hand carved wood with ...
Glass, Pine
$2,000 / set
H 20 in W 14 in D 5 in
1 French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Mirror Sconce / Girandole, M. Mategot
Located in New York, NY
One large French modern neoclassical double arm metal wall light / sconce / girandole with mirrored backs in the style of Mathieu Mategot. The metal frame is pierced and the mirror h...
Metal
$9,500 / set
H 65 in W 38 in D 5 in
Pair of Italian Baroque Wall Mirrors, Hand-Carved Wood, Circa 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and enchanting pair of Bacchic mirrors, evoking the opulence of a Tuscan vineyard and the romance of 18th-century Venice. Each mirror is a tour-de-force of artisanal craftsma...
Mirror, Wood
19th century Brass Two Candle Mirrored Wall Sconces
Located in Savannah, GA
Petite pair of two candle mirrored wall sconces from the sumptuous Belle Époque era. Foliate scrolls with full leaf motif bobeche. Priced as a set. See...
Brass
$60,000 / set
H 38.5 in W 24.5 in D 8 in
Pair of American Convex Perched Eagle Gilt Wood Girandole Wall Mirrors, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American convex gilt carved wood and gesso girandole wall mirrors with opposing flanking eagles on rocky plinths perched to flee, acanthus gilt wood carvings, decorative meda...
Bronze
$1,150 / set
H 22.5 in W 7.78 in D 3.13 in
Pair 19th Century Gilt Bronze Girandole Sconce Mirrors with Candelabra
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of narrow, rectangular gilt bronze girandoles with beveled mirror and twin candelabra, circa 1890. Ornately decorated frame with openwork of fleur-de-lis, renaissance architectu...
Bronze
Louis XV Giltwood Mirrored Girandoles
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredibly rare pair of Louis XV-period giltwood mirrored girandoles capture the grandeur, grace and opulence of the Rococo movement in the decorative arts. Each opulent mirror is exquisitely framed with voluminous flourishes of naturalistic motifs exemplary of the Louis XV era’s organic, deliberately asymmetrical stylings. Holding four candles each, these outstanding mirrored girandoles would have decoratively flanked a room of the period elegantly, illuminating the giltwood lustrously and providing ambient light reflected in the mirrored glass. Mirrors have long played an integral role in decorative design, often serving as focal points of a room. Dating back to the 13th century, the first French looking glasses were very small, yet enormously precious. Because these early mirrors...
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Giltwood Convex Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal convex girandole mirror of monumental size. Giltwood with original gilding and mirror. New York.
Giltwood
$753 / set
H 16 in W 7 in D 3.25 in
Antique Pair French Brass Girandole Wall Applique Sconces Mirrors Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An absolutely stunning and quite rare pair of framed French or English Polished Brass Girandole Wall Mirrors in the Neo-Classical taste, of compact size and exceptional quality. Mid ...
Brass
Pair of Georgian Carved "Stag" Giltwood Convex Mirrors, circa 1820
Located in Incline Village, NV
These are from the Thomas Devenish Collection (documented below; see provenance). This pair of mirrors represents the transition period of rococo to neoclassical aesthetic which cont...
Giltwood, Mirror
$25,000 / set
H 36 in W 16.5 in D 5 in
Pair of Venetian Painted & Gilt Floral Crest Girandole Mirrors. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Venetian painted and gilt girandole mirrors with carved floral crest , gilt side carvings & the original three arm candle cluster . Mirr...
Gold Leaf
Georgian Irish Oval Mirror Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Georgian Irish oval mirror having overlaid cut white segments with applied gilding alternating with multi faceted blue jewels, The mirror issuing ...
Cut Glass
$3,850
H 51 in W 24 in D 12 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved Sconce Mirror and Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th/20th century Louis XVI style belle epoque gildwood carved sconce mirror (wall-light) Girandle. The elongated carved body decorated with giltwood carved wreaths...
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
$17,500
H 39.5 in W 27.5 in D 8 in
Georgian Gilt Carved Wood & Gesso Wall Mirror with Spur Bronze Sconces, C. 1720
Located in Charleston, SC
Georgian gilt carved wood and gesso girandole wall mirror with two original scrolled spur bronze sconces and shell motif. Early 18th Century. Mirror retains the original wood backing...
Bronze
$6,800
H 58.75 in W 48.5 in D 2.5 in
Italian Baroque Style Gilt Wood Ebonized Carved Frame with Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Baroque style giltwood mirror, large scale. Hand craved gilt wood and ebonized large scale framed mirror in the Italian Baroque style. Carved master carver by Maurice Grieve,...
Giltwood, Paint
Pair Of Italian Red Painted Girandole Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Carved cartouche shaped frames with mirror plate and two arm attached candle sconce.
Bronze
Sold
H 45.28 in W 30.32 in D 2.37 in
Late 19th century baroque mirror with angels and floral elements on wooden frame
Located in Oostende, BE
Late 19th century Italian antique baroque girandole mirror with wooden frame, decorated with angels and floral elements, cut glass.
Cut Glass, Wood
Sold
H 45.28 in W 30.32 in D 2.37 in
Late 19th century baroque mirror with angels and floral elements on wooden frame
Located in Oostende, BE
Late 19th century Italian antique baroque girandole mirror with wooden frame, decorated with angels and floral elements, cut glass.
Cut Glass, Wood
Italian Rococo Baroque Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
The gorgeous Antique mirror in the style of Rococo is made of carved giltwood with ornate branch-shaped carvings in a C-shape and circular shape motifs and scrolls. The piece is ...
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century Mirror Wall Sconce, Baroque Period
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A very charming early 18th century mirror with framework of gilt lead and a bronze candle arm. The cast gilt lead decoration is mounted on a wood base. This mirrored wall sconce is possibly Swedish from the Precht workshops and from the late baroque period. The gilt surface have a wonderful worn surface. Very unusual model. Burchard Precht (24 October 1651 – 26 February 1738) was a Swedish-German furniture maker and sculptor. He is best known for his contributions to Stockholm Cathedral and Uppsala Cathedral; he designed the altarpiece for Uppsala in 1728. Precht and his workshop also created other church...
Bronze, Lead
Sold
H 73.23 in W 39.38 in D 22.45 in
20th Century Italian Baroque Style Carved and Gilded Wood Floor Vanity Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Carved and gilded wood floor mirror with refined decoration. Very rich work in Italian Baroque style with curls and swirls. This mirror is perfect f...
Poplar
Italian Rococo Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
A curvaceous cartouch shaped gold leafed carved wood mirror with swags, S-scrolls and C-scrolls.
Giltwood
Italian 18th Century Carved Wooden Baroque Girandole Mirror with Sconce
Located in Buisson, FR
Rare and beautiful baroque mirror with its candleholders and its original mirror glass. Italy, circa 1750 Old restorations and repairs.
Wood
19th Century Italian Gilt Wood Wall Sconces of Monumental Size
Located in Savannah, GA
Elaborately carved pair of giltwood sconces featuring three dimensional mirrors that reflect the two candle holders on each. Gorgeous detail and patination. We have never had or seen...
Mirror, Giltwood