Baroque Cupboards
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.
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Cupboards
Walnut
Early 20th Century Latvian Baroque Cupboards
Metal
19th Century English Antique Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century North American Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Cupboards
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Cupboards
Walnut, Fir
1950s British Vintage Baroque Cupboards
Wood
Early 20th Century Scottish Baroque Cupboards
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Cupboards
Iron
20th Century Unknown Baroque Cupboards
Pine
19th Century Antique Baroque Cupboards
Faux Bamboo, Fruitwood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Cupboards
Ebony, Walnut
Early 20th Century Danish Baroque Cupboards
Nutwood
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Iron
Early 20th Century Baroque Cupboards
Pine, Walnut
Early 20th Century Baroque Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century American Baroque Cupboards
Early 20th Century Swedish Baroque Cupboards
Fir, Paint