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 Venetian Grotto Carved Seashell Rocker
By Pauly & Co.
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt rocker with carved seashell seat & back and seahorse sides (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
Antique English Lambing Rocking Chair with Red Velvet Upholstery, 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural antique English lambing chair with a rocking function, crafted in England circa 1890s. The design reflects the provincial style of traditional 19th-century lambing chair...
Oak, Velvet
$11,565Sale Price|20% Off
Rocking Chair by Anton Fix and Micheal Thonet, 1850s
By Portois & Fix, Michael Thonet
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
$2,603Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 22.45 in D 23.63 in
19th Century Biedermeier Rocking Chair, Mahogany, Germany, circa 1840
Located in Greven, DE
19th century antique rocking chair North Germany Mahogany Late Biedermeier, around 1840 Dimensions: Height: 97 cm, width: 5...
Mahogany
Wendell Castle Crescent Rocker
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved signature and date to frame [W. Castle 80].
Leather, Wood
Thonet Style Curved Bentwood Rocking Chair With Caning
By Maison Jansen, Thonet
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A beautifully sculptural bentwood rocking chair, circa 1970s, crafted in the Thonet tradition of elegant curves and artisanal craftsmanship. The frame, composed of steam-bent hardwoo...
Cane, 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
Bentwood rocking chair attr. Thonet, late 19th century
By Thonet
Located in View Park, CA
A bentwood rocker attributed to Thonet, designed late 19th or early 20th century. Featuring art nouveau whiplash curves and real wicker caning. Made in Poland (possibly at the Radoms...
Wicker, Bentwood
Swedish Wooden Toy Horse Rocker
Located in Charleston, SC
A charming handmade wooden toy horse rocker. Very sturdy for children. Sweden, circa 1900 Surprising pieces and objects, authentic, decorative and rare...
Pine, Paint
$4,125Sale 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
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
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
George Nakashima Slab-Arm Rocker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this form. The family requested an extra wide slab -arm. Signed with the clients name.
Wood
Danish Modern Sculpted Boomerang Teak Rocker
Located in Kensington, MD
This chair is designed for minimalism and comfort in nearly any space. This sleek rocker features a pair of teak wood “sickle” frames that support (with original brass hardware) the ...
Teak
Venetian Grotto Giltwood Rocking Chair, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th century) shell carved back and seat with carved seahorse and sea dragon arm supports and rocker heads. Extremely popular in the late 19th century, Fanta...
Giltwood
Rocking Chair Baroque Style, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Rocking chair Baroque style, Germany, 19th century.
Leather, Wood