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.
19th Century Venetian Silver Gilt Grotto Seahorse Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Venetian Silver Gilt Grotto Seahorse Bench. Chic and unusual Venetian Baroque silver gilt Grotto bench, settee, canapé or banquette with se...
Fabric, Wood
17th Century Venetian Painted and Parcel Gilt Gondola Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Venetian painted and parcel gilt gondola sofa. This gorgeous antique venetian sofa or canape has been newly upholstered in a plush w...
Mohair, Wood
19th Century Gilded and Painted Grey Italian Sofa Pale Orange Velvet Upholstery
Located in Miami, FL
Italian sofa probably Piedmontese painted with a light grey patina (original color) on a walnut frame. Flowers and vegetal carvings all around the front part of the frame. Entirely ...
Velvet, Fruitwood, Walnut
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
$8,696Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Parcel-Gilt and Painted Canape or Sofa, 18th Century
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian, 18th century parcel-gilt and turquoise painted caned canapé with a shaped back decorated with shell-carved crest, scrolling armrests on a serpentine seat on cabriole ...
Wood
Portuguese Canapé D. João v of the 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE CANAPÉ D. JOÃO V of the 18th Century in carved walnut wood. Upholstered seat. Dim.: 110 x 151 x 49 cm. good conditions.
Wood
18th century North Italian Baroque Style Green-Painted and Parcel-Gilt Settee
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A North Italian green-painted and parcel-gilt settee from the mid-18th century. The serpentine padded backrest displays foliate scrolls on the top rail flanked by two scrolls above a...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Portuguese Canape
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Portuguese Canape XVIII, in Brazilian rosewood with carvings and cane seat. Dim.: 98 x 174 x 54 cm. Very good condition.
Wood, Rosewood
Portuguese Canapé 19th Century in Mahogany Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Canapé 19th century. In mahogany wood upholstered with fabric in burgundy tones. Dim.: 80 x 170 x 76 cm. Very good condition.
Wood
$10,622 / set
19th Century Baroque Saxony Seat Group, 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Four chairs with a sofa in Dresden baroque style. Walnut freed and felted. Rich gilded bronze appliqués, on the backs with perimeter bar contours. Saxony, circa 1880-1890. Dimensi...
Bronze
$4,165Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Italian Painted Canapes Sofa
Located in Faversham, GB
A stunning 19th century sofa or bench settee in a distressed grey painted finish. The sofa has a wide rectangular padded back with open padded arms and a generous rectangular padded...
Upholstery, Birch, Pine, Paint
$8,696Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Parcel-Gilt and Painted Canape or Sofa, 18th Century
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian, 18th century parcel-gilt and turquoise painted caned canapé with a shaped back decorated with shell-carved crest, scrolling armrests on a serpentine seat on cabriole ...
Wood
Set of Six Portuguese Chairs and Two Chairs D. João v of the 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
SET OF SIX CHAIRS AND TWO CHAIRS Portuguese D. João V, 18th Century in carved walnut wood. Upholstered seats. Dim.: (chair) 110 x 64 x 49 cm good conditions.
Wood
1 Original Bench from the 1900 Period in Oak
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1 original bench from the 1900 period in oak These bench is very well made, very light and nevertheless very solid, because although not restored there is no lack or broken bars.
Oak
Large neo-Baroque sofa, art deco period, in velvet and gilded wood, circa 1940
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Large neo-Baroque sofa, art deco period, in velvet and gilded wood, circa 1940/1950 4 armchairs are also available, in another advert
Velvet, Giltwood
French Canape Set, 4 Chairs and 2 Armchairs Late 19th Century Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French canape set, 4 chairs and 2 armchairs. Late 19th century, early 20th century. in carved and gilded wood. Upholstered seats. Dim.: (armchair) 97 x 88 x 52 cm. Good conditions.
Wood
$2,509Sale Price|24% Off
H 27.96 in W 64.18 in D 31.5 in
20th Century French Chocolate Brown Two-Seated Velvet Sofa with Set of Cushions
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century velvet sofa in chocolate brown with set of cushions. France, circa 1950.
Velvet
19th Century French Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a 19th century French farm table bench, beautiful patina at age these are great for tables but so many times they're used in mudroom or hallways. DIMENSIONS 83ʺW × 9ʺD × 17ʺH
Hardwood
17th Century Walnut Sofa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.
Walnut
19th Century Mahogany Bench
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th century mahogany bench from England covered with charming fabric in the chesterfield buttoned style lovely unusual bench since it is smal...
Mahogany
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
Elm
Grand 19th Century Sofa with Gilded Wood Frame
Located in Madrid, ES
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this exquisite 19th-century sofa. Featuring a luxurious gilded wood frame, this stunning piece is sourced from a private museum, of...
Wood
$3,050
H 29.53 in W 81.11 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian sofa with chrome back details and original velvet upholstery. Overall the sofa is in good vintage condition.
Chrome
Louis XVI Style Canapé Corbeille in Painted Wood, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant canapé corbeille exemplifies the refined comfort and graceful proportions of Louis XVI–style seating. The softly rounded, basket-form back creates an inviting silhouette...
Wood
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa is the sublime expression of understated elegance! The style was born during a period of austerity when the court wished to downplay the ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Period Louis XV Grey Painted Canape
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine sofa made in France circa 1750 is from the period of the reign of Louis XV. The carved beech wood frame is decorated with flowers and extensively modeled rails. The piece i...
Beech
19th Century Rustic Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Narrow primitive bench from England. Great folkart primitive piece. Note split down left side while looking at straight on.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
Gray painted Swedish sofa circa 1860. 19th century sofa beautifully hand-carved with exceptional decoration. Newly upholstered in off-white ticking with down-wrap cushion. Joined con...
Upholstery, Down, Wood
Romantic Canape Portuguese 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Canape 19th Century in chestnut wood with carvings, claw and ball-shaped feet. Small defects. Dim.: 123 x 109 x 50 cm good conditions.
Wood
19th Century Portuguese Canape
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Portuguese Canape. In satin wood and other woods, turned legs and elements, straw base. Small defects. Dim.: 84 x 200 x 63 cm. ...
Wood
Portuguese Canape 19th Century in Valnut
Located in Madrid, ES
CANAPE D. João V style, in walnut with carvings, cut and pierced back, claw and ball feet, damask upholstered seat. 19th century. Small defects. Dim: 117x177x56 cm. Good condition.
Walnut
French Canape Art Nouveau, 19/20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French Canape Art Nouveau, 19/20th century in oak wood. Upholstered seat and back. Decorated with still life painted on wood. Signs of use. DIM.: 196 x 233 x 63 cm. Good co...
Wood
Finest Portuguese Canape, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Portuguese Canape Date/Period: 19th Century Dimension: 216cm x 60cm x 111cm. Material: Rosewood Additional Information: Portuguese Canape from the 19th century, in rosewoo...
Wood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 129.93 in D 49.22 in
Petrol Blue Velvet Sofa attributed to Marzio Cecchi, circa 1970's, Italy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian glam couch, newly reupholstered blue velvet, round brass feet, attributed to Marzio Cecchi, circa 1970's, Italy This piece has been reupholstered in...
Brass
Marzio Cecchi One-of-a-kind Sofa in Blue Velvet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian glam piece, newly reupholstered blue velvet, round brass feet, Marzio Cecchi, Italy 1970s. This piece has been reupholstered in a marvelous chic dark blue velvet which works...
Brass
Antique Venetian Painted Demi-Canapé
Located in Dallas, TX
A superlative example of the Rococo style, this splendid antique Venetian painted demi-canapé has been sculpted to perfection in the asymmetri...
Silk, Walnut
Italian Baroque Style 19th Century Walnut Upholstered Sofa from Piedmont
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Baroque style walnut upholstered sofa from the Northern Piedmont area of Italy from the 19th century. This Italian sofa features a Baroque style frame, with a high carved camel bac...
Upholstery, Walnut