Baroque Seating
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.
1740s South American Antique Baroque Seating
Rosewood
19th Century Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut, Upholstery
1850s Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
1950s American Vintage Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Vintage Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Seating
Metal
Late 18th Century Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Seating
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Seating
Giltwood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Seating
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Seating
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 17th Century English Antique Baroque Seating
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Wood
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Baroque Seating
18th Century English Antique Baroque Seating
Oak, Walnut
17th Century French Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Seating
Wrought Iron
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Seating
Fir, Paint
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut, Gesso, Giltwood, Muslin, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Seating
Leather, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Oak
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood, Beech
19th Century European Antique Baroque Seating
Wood, Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Wool, Oak
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Seating
Fabric, Paint, Wood
1720s Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut, Pine
19th Century European Antique Baroque Seating
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Seating
Walnut