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 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
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved Baroque Walnut Ottoman/Stools
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of 19th century Italian carved Baroque walnut ottoman/stools. These are done in the manner of Andrea Brustolon (1662 –1732), who was a Venetian carver best known for incorpora...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Large Late 19th Early / 20th Century Italian Ottoman
Located in Hudson, NY
This tall substantial ottoman was made in Italy in the late 19th to early 20th century. Carved from walnut entirely and showing design elements of the late baroque the stool is painted and the finish is distressed consistent with age and use but is strong and sturdy with a new simple decorative upholstery completed with decorative tape to the top and brass tacks to round out the architectural styling. The carved fruit basket...
Walnut
Vintage Cube Upholstered Stools Moroccan Ottomans, Poufs, a Pair
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of gold cube upholstery ottomans, Poufs. Upholstered stools, use them as extra seats, ottomans, stools. Light and easy to move around. Moroccan hassock, upholstered footstool or...
Fabric
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or Stools
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition. In the Billy Baldwin style with button top. This ...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century English Ottoman
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A substantial late 19th Century English ottoman. Circa 1880. Raised on elegant turned legs with its original castors. Newly upholstered in a striking Nina Campbell linen, featuring ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,400 / set
H 18 in W 22 in D 19 in
Milo Baughman Style Pair of Parsons Ottomans Benches in Ivory Bouclé
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of custom Milo Baughman style Parsons ottomans benches footstools newly upholstered in soft ivory bouclé. A great choice for adding a modern sculp...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$3,422 / item
H 18.12 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
"Il Pezzo 1 Pouf" ottoman upholstered in fine leather with a gold brass base
Located in Firenze, IT
An alternation of rounded shapes and geometrical lines, reassuming discipline and freedom, a composite, multiethnic plan where every element and material harmoniously contributes to ...
Gold, Brass
Tartan Plaid Upholstered Rococo Style Ottoman, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Upholstered wood Rococo style ottoman in blue, green and red plaid upholstery from the Late 19th Century. This newly upholstered ottoman is beautiful and very much on the Ralph Laur...
Upholstery
Pair of Georgian Style Leather Benches
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Georgian style leather benches with distressed patterned leather upholstery, web construction, carved perimeter, heavily carved legs with shell motif and resting on ball and ...
Wood
$3,495 / set
H 15 in W 18 in D 16.5 in
Pair Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Stools / Ottomans Attr Tomaso Buzzi
By Tomaso Buzzi
Located in New York, NY
Rare and stylish pair of Italian early mid-century Italian modern neoclassical stools / poofs or benches from the 'Novecento' period with red ball feet attributed to Tomaso Buzzi.
Upholstery
Pair of Paul Laszlo Ottomans
By Paul Laszlo
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Paul Laszlo ottomans. Green laquered notched legs with brass cross stretchers.
Late-20th Century, French Modern Rope Side Table / Ottoman, 1980s
Located in Odense, DK
This beautiful piece is a French 1980s rope side table and ottoman/stool, a distinctive example of European design that blends sculptural form with tactile materials. A notable examp...
Rope
$1,600 / item
H 17 in Dm 18 in
Lawson-Fenning Petite Moreno Ottoman, Green Wool & Solid Walnut, Modern Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Petite Moreno Ottoman by Lawson-Fenning features a round solid wood base with four cylindrical legs and an upholstered top. Available in American wa...
Wool, Walnut, Upholstery
Sold
H 21 in W 26 in D 26 in
Theodore Alexander Mahogany Leather Nailhead Acanthus Foot Stool Rest Ottoman
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Theodore Alexander Baroque Rococo carved mahogany foot stool / ottoman / bench featuring leather seat with nailhead trim, a pierced and scrolled foliate / floral rose / acant...
Leather, Mahogany
Italian 18th-Century Giltwood Stools With Fortuny Fabric, a -Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a pair of Baroque Italian 18Th. C. Gilt Wood Stools with Fortuny Fabric. These stools are water gilded on wood, they are supported by four straight legs joined together by ...
Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 24.5 in D 24.5 in
Italian Baroque Style Mahogany & Yellow Mustard Velvet Cushion Ottoman or Bench
Located in Plainview, NY
An Italian Baroque Style bench or ottoman , carved meticulously from the finest Mahogany in a rectangular shape, the base stands as a testament to the artisan's skill, adorned with i...
Velvet, Mahogany
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
Stools Pair European Baroque Period Dark Brown Suede Europe
Located in New York, NY
Stools pair European Baroque Period dark brown suede Europe. A pair of rectangular stools made during the Baroque period. Later upholstery and nail head details.
Suede, Wood
Sold
H 18 in W 34 in D 18 in
Wonderful Pair English 19th Century Carved Wood Nail Head Leather Benches
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of English late 19th century carved wood and nail head leather benches.
Leather, Wood
Baroque Style Bench with Moorish Blue and White Embroidery
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive upholstered bench with Baroque style or Louis XIV style scrolled legs. Featuring a blue and white Moorish design embroidered fabric in a block print style. The legs have ...
Fabric, Wood
Antique Spanish Walnut Bench or Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous antique Spanish Renaissance style or Baroque style X-shaped carved walnut ottoman, stool or ottoman. This stunning bench is beautifully carved and dates to the 1920s. It has...
Walnut
Sold
H 22 in W 44.5 in D 20.5 in
Midcentury Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Ottoman Bench with Red Velvet Uphostery
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring extra seating in a den or a living room with this large and elegant ottoman; crafted in Italy, circa 1960, the fruitwood bench stands on scroll legs decorated with a large carv...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 19 in W 42 in D 25 in
20th Century Venetian Style Painted and Parcel-Gilt Leather Covered Bench
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This Italian Venetian style bench features a beautiful tan tufted leather cover on comfortable upholstery set on a antique green painted frame with gilt trimmings on the carved arche...
Leather, Upholstery, 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
Stool Bench Swedish Baroque Black Beige Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Stool bench Swedish baroque black Sweden. A stool made in Sweden during the baroque period 1650-1750. Loose cushion made from natural linen.
Wood