Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Gesso, Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century Mexican Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1850s Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Bone, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Stained Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Steel
19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1890s Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Breccia Marble
19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
19th Century Irish Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Rosewood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
1890s German Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold, Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut, Nutwood
19th Century German Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1850s French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-19th Century British Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Nutwood
1880s Spanish Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood, Tapestry
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
1850s Austrian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Steel
Early 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 1800s Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak
Mid-19th Century European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Alabaster