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.
Italian 18th Century Baroque Upholstered Low Stool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Italian, Baroque/Rococo period (18th century) footstool with the most elegant carvings across the apron and cabriole legs. Presently the boxed seat is upholstered in a serene shade o...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
19th Century Carved Walnut Folding Scissors Savonarola Bench/Settee
Located in Miami, FL
19th century carved walnut folding scissors Savonarola bench/settee Typical of the Italian Renaissance with carved Florentine backs. This pair cre...
Walnut
Small Baroque Footstool, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small footstool with a carved wooden frame and rococo feet and tendril decoration. The stool is in an unrestored condition.
Wood
Vintage French Baroque Style Wooden Distress White Painted Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Baroque Style Wooden Distress White Painted Footstool Ottoman. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 10" H x 19" W x 14" D.
Fabric, Wood
$6,825 / item
Bench Italian Style with Cabriole Legs
Located in Ballard, CA
A reproduction Italian bench, hand-crafted with traditional joinery, with an antiqued paint finish and patina on the hand-carved cabriole legs. Cu...
Wood
Pair of Italian Baroque Style Upholstered Benches with Cabriole Legs C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian baroque style upholstered benches with flanking carved serpentine skirts, and resting on the original cabriole legs with pad feet. Late 19th century.
Upholstery, Pine
Antique Italian Venetian carriage headrest or footrest
Located in Milano, IT
Antique Venetian footrest or headrest from the 1700s, an object of timeless charm that encapsulates the elegance of the Italian nobility of that era. This precious piece was placed i...
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century William and Mary Style Upholstered Footstool Ottoman
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful late 20th century walnut and Upholstered William and Mary style footstool or ottoman in very good vintage condition. Measures 19" in width, 19" in depth and 10" tall.
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
$977Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.95 in W 27.37 in D 15.95 in
19th Century French Mahogany Footstool, circa 1850
Located in Faversham, GB
A large and simply stunning 19th Century French footstool. Made in mahogany with delicate Ormolu mounts to legs ending in square tapering supports. The gently bowed sides are topped ...
Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Franco Albini Style Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footstools
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Franco Albini Vittorio Bonacina (attr.) Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footstools, late 1950s / early 1960s. A striking looking and versatile piece of furniture, a great addition to any room. L...
Rattan
19th Century Biedermeier Footstool
Located in Darmstadt, DE
We present an authentic small Biedermeier footstool from around 1830. The piece features a solid walnut top resting on oak legs, displaying the w...
Oak, Walnut
Gustavian Antique, Round Stool, Swedish Cabinetmaker, Late 18th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Such a beautiful rare and original gustavian stool, made in giltwood with horsehair upholstered seat. Made in by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the late 18th century. A great vintage o...
Giltwood
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
$2,192Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 29.53 in D 18.9 in
Italian Design Rectangular Black Leather and Chrome-Plated Brass Bench
Located in Brescia, IT
This contemporary style bench in cow black leather, is totally hand made in Italy. The feet are in chrome plated brass. The dimensions make it useful as coffee table.
Brass
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
$1,842
H 13.78 in W 27.17 in D 27.17 in
LARGE VINTAGE GEORGE SMITH FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN WiTH EMBROIDERED UPHOLSTERY
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite and highly collectable Vintage George Smith Kilim Ottoman...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Classic Antique Style Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant Empire style bench in walnut. Canes seat and sides, generous size-44" wide. Practical and sturdy.
Walnut
$9,800
H 17 in W 73 in D 18.5 in
Jens Risom Danish Mid-Century Light Gray Upholstered Walnut Floating Bench
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century floating bench with a walnut stretcher base supporting a rectangular seat cushion upholstered in light gray woven fabric with button tufted detail. (JENS RISOM).
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$1,800 / item
H 18 in W 22 in D 18 in
Upholstered Bench with Brown Horsehair Seat with Mahogany Frame and Tapered Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Denton bench made by LF Upholstery is shown with brown and taupe patterned horsehair with soft foam padding. It has a hand carved mahogany wood and finished frame with tapered legs - it is shown without trim but can be made custom with choice of pewter or French Natural nailheads or gimp trim...
Mahogany
Sold
H 7.49 in W 10.83 in D 8.67 in
Baroque Wood And Natural Fiber Pair of Footstools, Spain 17th/18th C
Located in Valencia, VC
Spanish Baroque pair of wood and natural fiber footstools. Very probably handmade sometime around the late XVII C. or early XVIII C. They are in the style of the Baroque Castilian an...
Natural Fiber, Wood, Chestnut, Oak
Scandinavian Tripod Stool in Pine & Cowhide, Wabi Sabi, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Decorative octagon shaped tripod stool in solid pine and cowhide. Hand carved by a Scandinavian cabinetmaker in 1950s. A pair is available. This wabi sabi stool will fit in man...
Cowhide, Pine
Pair of Baroque or Rococo Style Pierce Carved Silvered Ottomans
Located in Milford, NH
A decorative pair of Baroque or Rococo style wooden pierce carved silvered ottomans with foliate and scrollwork cabriole legs and tufted light gray upholstered cushions, dating to th...
Upholstery, Wood
Flemish Baroque Walnut Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular seat with silk moire upholstery in need of replacing, turned legs and H form turned stretchers, ball feet.
Walnut
Sold
H 45 in W 44 in D 44 in
Pair of Stools, South Germany Bavaria 1750 Original Painting, New Upholstery
Located in Epfach, DE
Pair of stools, South Germany Bavaria 1750 original painting, new upholstery Pair of very charming stools, with original painting, from South Germany, probably Bavaria, mid-18th c...
Wood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
18th Century French Louis XV Carved and Golded Wood Footstool and Upholstered
Located in Valladolid, ES
Delicious and exquisite French Louis XV carved and golded wood footstool, with cabriole legs and floral motif as wood carving. Overlaid with red damask drawing fabric. It has some l...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 17.5 in W 16 in D 11.75 in
Pair of Italian Walnut and Tapestry Upholstered Footstools, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely Tuscan in origin these stools have oval shaped tops with drop in tapestry upholstered seats, raised on turned and block legs joined by X-form stretchers.
Tapestry
Portuguese Baroque Lacquered Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with a Flemish tapestry fragment seat, carved frame with initials inscription, cabriole legs, shaped stretchers and ball and claw feet.
Wood
Italian Baroque Walnut Bench
Located in Essex, MA
With old needlepoint upholstery, ring turned legs with H form stretchers.
Pair of 18th Century Baroque Style Italian Walnut Benches
Located in Atlanta, GA
The pair of 18th century Italian Baroque style walnut benches with upholstered seats, turned legs and stretchers.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 20.87 in W 27.56 in D 17.33 in
Italy Pair of Mid-18th Century Baroque Hand-Carved Walnut Upholstered Benches
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of mid-18th century Italian hand-carved walnut upholstered benches. Handcrafted in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. Pieces of timeless beauty. With certificate of authenticity.
Walnut
Sold
H 18.51 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
18th Century Baroque Tabouret German Upholstered in Petits Points Tapestry
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Elegant 18th century tabouret with cabriolet legs in blue finish and gold accents. Upholstered in original petits points tapestry in a rich red/blue/green and beige palette of flower...
Wood