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.
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Early 2000s American Baroque Sofas
Textile, Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Walnut
19th Century German Antique Baroque Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Sofas
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Sofas
Silk, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Walnut, Silk
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Sofas
Linen, Wood
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Wood
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Fruitwood, Walnut
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Sofas
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Baroque Sofas
Linen
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Sofas
Oak
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
1850s Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Poplar
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Sofas
Teak
1970s American Vintage Baroque Sofas
Brass
1950s Danish Vintage Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Leather
1950s Italian Vintage Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1710s American Antique Baroque Sofas
Brass
19th Century English Antique Baroque Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Baroque Sofas
Concrete
Early 20th Century English Baroque Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century French Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Walnut
Early 1700s English Antique Baroque Sofas
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Sofas
Nutwood
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century European Baroque Sofas
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Sofas
Tapestry, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Baroque Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century European Baroque Sofas
Brass
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Sofas
Wood
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Sofas
Oak