Baroque Sofas
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.
1960s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Velvet
1920s American Vintage Baroque Sofas
Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Teak
1940s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1960s Canadian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Wool, Walnut
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s English Baroque Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Baroque Sofas
Wood
1970s Czech Vintage Baroque Sofas
Metal
1950s Indian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Cane, Teak
1950s Vintage Baroque Sofas
Mohair, Wood
Early 20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century European Baroque Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century English Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century European Baroque Sofas
Brass
1950s Canadian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Baroque Sofas
20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Linen, Oak