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.
Antique Louis XV 18th century sofa, French
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This hand-carved and decorated wooden sofa from the mid-18th century embodies timeless French elegance. A classic French sofa, it features a curved back with intricate carvings, cabr...
Velvet, Walnut
Seating Set of Baroque Sofa and Two Armchairs, Budapest, 1870s
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful baroque seating set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. Extraordinary workmanship of the woods made according to the canons of the ti...
Velvet, Wood
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut French Victorian Rams Head Green Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut French Victorian Rams Head Green Silk Blend...
Walnut
Walnut Leather Brown Spanish Sofa, Bench 18th Century Baroque Cordoba Ironwork
Located in Miami, FL
Doble Armchair or Sofa with arms and high back of the type known as “frailero”, which has leather with studs on the seat and upper part of the back, very low chambrances joining the ...
Leather, Walnut
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
Danish Modern, Sculptural Three Seater Sofa / Bench, Made by Hans Dau, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A lovely romantic Baroque style three seater sofa with cushions covered in vintage fabric. Made in solid oak. Handcrafted by Danish cabinetmaker Hans Dau in the 1950s. The overall im...
Fabric, Oak
$2,480Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Scandinavian Oak Settle Bench w/ Cowhide, 18th C.
Located in Norwalk, CT
This settle sofa brings one into an earlier and more rustic period of time. Crafted from solid hand-carved oak wood, this sofa is handsome and sturdy, despite its age. The oak is dar...
Cowhide, Oak
$38,507Sale Price|30% Off
Andrea Brustolon Carved Venetian Baroque Walnut Settee Sofa Bench Brown Leather
By Valentino Besarel, Andrea Brustolon
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare finely carved Venetian Baroque style figural walnut throne settee or bench, attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel (Venice, 1829-1902) in the manner of Andrea Brustolon...
Leather, Walnut
Important French Set Sofa, (2) Armchairs and a Table end 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Two Magnificent French Armchairs with respective Stools early 19th Century armchair measurements: H: 96cm x 76cm c 75cm stool measures: 45cm x 45cm x 50cm Hight wood and italian silk...
Silk, Wood
$8,655Sale 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
Swedish Period Baroque Carved Wood Three-Chair Back Bench with Upholstered Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Baroque three-chair back carved-wood sofa, with upholstered seat, from the 18th century. This fabulous hand carved wood bench features three carved back splats for resting, flanked within wood arm rests at each far end. The top rail is adorn with four finials...
Linen, Wood
19th Century Baroque Spanish Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an incredible, unique, one of a kind piece made in the early 19th century Spain. Crafted out of solid walnut, features hand turned legs, beautiful walnut back panels, with wrought iron stretcher bars on the bottom. Exquisite liquid velvet upholstery fixed with a gorgeous nailhead trim across the top, further embellished with an embroidered coat of arms...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Walnut Sofa from Tuscany
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Elegant early 19th Century Italian, Northern Tuscan, sofa. With gently curved back and gilded scroll details to each arm. Of walnut construction with hand carved details to each leg,...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sofa Bench Swedish Baroque Period 1650-1750 Brown Black, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Sofa bench Swedish Baroque Period 1650-1750 brown black, Sweden. A sofa bench made during the Baroque Period 1650-1750 in Sweden / Northern Europe. The seat has been reupholstered in...
Leather, Wood
ORATORY 19th-century Portuguese
Located in Madrid, ES
ORATORY 19th-century Portuguese painted and gilded wood. Glass doors and sides, adapted for display purposes. Dimensions: 128 x 60 x 30 cm Good condition
Wood
$32,699Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century, Pair of Italian Lacquered Chinoiserie Wood Sofas
Located in IT
Pair of sofas in carved walnut and lacquered chinoiserie, Venice, early 18th century. This rare and refined pair of sofas was made in Venice at the beginning of the 18th century, ...
Wood
Early 19th Century Tuscan Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century Northern Italian sofa from Tuscany. Retaining its original paint and gilded decorative elements. Upholstered in Kravet Kashmira.
Upholstery, 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
Baroque-style three-seater Sofa, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A Baroque-style three-seater sofa crafted from walnut in the 2nd half 19th century. The curved backrest and apron are richly adorned with intricately carved decorations featuring she...
Fabric, Walnut
Noble carved and gilded drawing room, Charles X style - 19th century.
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant Emilian living room in the Charles X style, an authentic example of 19th-century aristocratic furniture, consisting of a sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table. The set is di...
Wool, Velvet, Wood
18th Century Swedish Baroque Sofa
Located in Huntington, NY
A Swedish Baroque sofa with outward bending arms and hand-turned ends. The arched back crowns have simple scroll detailing. Notches line the conto...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Dutch Baroque 17th Century Oak Bench
Located in Troy, NY
Rare, unusual and decorative bench, decorated with numerous carved human heads and lion finials. The bulbous turned legs and backrest are connected by flat...
Oak
Venetian Baroque Style Fancy Velvet Sofa and Two Armchairs by Silik, 1960s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This sofa with two armchairs was created by the artisans of the famous Cantù company, Silik, in the 1960s, in Venetian Baroque style, in velvet and embossed velvet, the structure is ...
Velvet, Beech
$19,850Sale Price|48% Off
In Manner of Andrea Brustolon Venetian 19th Century Carved Walnut Figural Settee
By Valentino Panciera Besarel, Andrea Brustolon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare Italian 19th century Baroque style carved walnut figural settee (Sofa-Loveseat), attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel (Venice, 1829-1902) in the manner of Andrea Brustolon...
Fabric, Walnut
ROMANTIC SEAT 19th Century Portuguese Rosewood Sofa
Located in Madrid, ES
ROMANTIC SEAT 19th-century Portuguese rosewood sofa. Cane seat and back. Dimensions: 102 x 182 x 56 cm Good condition
Rosewood
$12,021Sale Price / set|50% Off
Trio of Designer Sofas - Precious Silk of San Leucio
Located in Manzano, IT
exclusive handcrafted sofas made in the late 1980s and early 1990s, true masterpieces of Campania's manufacturing excellence. The sofas are upholstered in the original San Leucio Si...
Silk, Polyester, Wood
$4,808Sale Price / item|50% Off
Designer Sofa - Fine Silk from San Leucio
Located in Manzano, IT
exclusive handcrafted sofas made in the late 1980s and early 1990s, true masterpieces of Campania's manufacturing excellence. The sofas are upholstered in the original San Leucio Si...
Silk, Wood
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XV Style Sofa in White Italian Boucle
By Soft Baroque
Located in Saint Louis, US
This Louis XV style sofa is a testament to the opulence and creativity of the dynastic French monarchy. The fully restored sofa is covered with an equally luxurious seashell white It...
Bouclé
$12,021Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Vintage San Leucio Silk Sofas - 1980s
Located in Manzano, IT
Timeless elegance and excellent Italian craftsmanship. For sale are a splendid pair of original sofas from the 1980s, upholstered in fine San Leucio silk, world-famous for its quali...
Silk, Wood
$8,655Sale 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