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.
$11,225Sale Price|20% Off
Rocking Chair by Anton Fix and Micheal Thonet, 1850s
By Michael Thonet, Portois & Fix
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare rocking chair made and designed by Micheal Thonet and Anton Fix , circa 1860. The beautiful rocking chair was made with curved woodworking, a techn...
Velvet, Wood
Antique Carved Walnut Corner Chair
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and impressive antique carved walnut corner chair. This was most likely made in Italy, we would date it to around the 1790’s period. It is of extremely fine quality, wit...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair Att. to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Unusual bentwood and cane rocking chair, in the Vienna Secessionist style, probably mid 20th C vintage, Thonet - made in USA, unsigned. The chair is slightly smaller in scale, a vari...
Cane, Bentwood
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Child’s Thonet Rocking Chair
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Stylish child’s bentwood rocking chair attached to Thonet. This example is in very good original condition showing only light wear normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H ...
Cane, Bentwood
Exceptional Rocking Chair by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This old authentic rocking chair was designed Michael Thonet and manufactured by Thonet. It was in the catalogue of 1904. It is a design classic. This dark brown rocking chair is in very good vintage condition with normal signs of age and use. The chair is stamped. Take your chance to get this Thonet collector’s item. Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was a German-Austrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture, which ment the beginning of Modern Design. Le Corbusier used Thonet chairs...
Bentwood
$795
H 40 in W 19.75 in D 42 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Beech Bentwood Rocking Chair Attributed to Thonet
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant sculpted bentwood Thonet rocker from Czechoslovakia c1960. Hand caned seat and back with a fabulous bentwood design. Concentric circles form the base with other be...
Cane, Beech
$4,050Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 50.79 in
A Rare Thonet Number 3 Bentwood Rocking Chair
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in London, GB
A Rare Thonet No. 3 Bentwood and Cane Rocking Chair. Having the unmistakable Thonet trademark flowing scroll work. We believe this model was first shown in their 1885 catalogue as sh...
Leather, Cane, Bentwood
Rocking chair Thonet Nr.10 by Jacob&Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Renovated. New seat and backrest strings. Minor repairs made. Renewed shellac polish.
Bentwood
Vintage Thonet Caner Bentwood Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring a touch of Old World charm to your home with this elegant Thonet-style bentwood rocking chair, a vintage piece that captures the romance and craftsmanship of 19th-century Europ...
Cane, Bentwood
American Georgian Walnut Upholstered Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American Georgian walnut corner chair with carved splat backs, carved decorative molded edge, scrolled arms, turned ringed columns, carved corner fret...
Upholstery, Walnut
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4, 1920'S
By Thonet
Located in LYON, FR
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4. Circa 1920. Curved beech wood rocking chair from the 1920s by Thonet. Model number 4. Beautiful Art Nouveau lines. Recent cane work, well stretche...
Wood
$575Sale Price|52% Off
H 34 in W 23.5 in D 17 in
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century Swedish Baroque Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
So called "Puderstol" from the mid-1700s in baroque style. The chair is dry scraped to original paint. Original seat and padding, upholstered with original linen fabric from the 1700s.
Sold
H 48.43 in W 22.45 in L 48.43 in
Pair of Black Leather Spanish Baroque Studded Walnut Side Chairs, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
Beautiful, dramatic and original. Classic early 18th century Iberian Baroque style, featuring oversized brass studs, wide cabriole stance, walnut ...
Brass
Antique Venetian Painted Corner Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
A superlative example of the Rococo style, this splendid antique Venetian painted corner armchair has been sculpted to perfection in the asymm...
Silk, Walnut