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.
Impressive Pair C19th Italian Limewood Carved Corner Shelves
Located in Dereham, GB
Impressive pair C19th Italian limewood carved Corner shelves Carving in the Renaissance & Baroque manner, Fine Limewood carved, mask heads, Mythical Creatures, floral & le...
Pine
18th Century Corner Étagère in Walnut and Turned Walnut Restored Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A delightful 18th century corner étagère coming from Palladio villa on the Brenta Riviera. Massive walnut and turned walnut restored and polished to wax. Measures cm: H 145 x W 7...
Walnut
Richly carved baroque black wooden sculptured shelf, France ca. 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1850 / sculpture / wood / antique / baroque Baroque sculptured wall mounted shelf in blackened wood, made in France around 1850. Richly carved with flowers, curls and a fe...
Wood
Pair of Giltwood Angels Shelves 19th Century Winged Cherubs Italian Brackets
Located in Milano, MI
A charming pair of Italian winged putti pinewood wall brackets, exquisitely carved and gilded. the two angel figures have their arms raised and they are topped by a shell-shaped top...
Pine, Giltwood
18th Century Venetian Baroque Étagère, Massive Walnut , Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Very elegant 18th century Italian Baroque étagère in massive walnut, polished with shellac and wax. Measures in cm: H 135, W 97, D 35.
Walnut
Gold Twisted Metal Two Tier Glass Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small hanging wall shelf created from gold twisted metal. This shelf will be great in a bathroom for holding beauty products, or small decorative ite...
Metal
Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of 18th century Venetian fruitwood commodes with three long drawers. Measures: 132 x 88 x 62 cm. Very good vintage condition.
Nutwood
Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes
Located in Rome, IT
A fine 18th century Venetian fruitwood commodes with three long drawers. Measures: 132 x 88 x 62 cm. Very good vintage condition.
Nutwood
18th Century Jars Cabinet Walnut
Located in Marseille, FR
Rare 18th century jars cabinet walnut French work. 4 shelves. Feet reinforced.
Walnut
Antique Baroque Library Steps, Painted Walnut, Italy, Circa 1860
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of 19th Century Italian library stairs with wide steps in the Baroque style and patinated in a warm natural colored light-grey, in good condition. These large and ver...
Walnut
$1,943Sale Price / set|35% Off
Mid-Century Pair of Golden Wood and Plaster Legs in a Rococo Baroc Manner
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Mid-Century pair of golden wood and plaster legs in a Rococo baroc manner may be used for one or two low tables as a shelf. The glass is not included is ju...
Wood, Paint
$538 / set
Romantic Pair of Small Gold Wallkonzoles
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Romantic pair of small gold wallkonzoles.
Gold
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Ormolu Vitrine Cubboard Curved Glass
By François Linke, Victor Raulin
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Late 19th century Gilt Bronze Mounted Ormolu Vitrine Cubboard Curved Glass.
Brass
19th Century French Dessert Cabinet Server
Located in New York City, NY
Beautifully hand carved burl walnut, antique country dessert console/ server/ hutch featuring two shelves plus the serving surface with two silverware drawers and double door storage...
Burl, Walnut
20th Century, Vitrine with Fine Inlay in the Dutch Baroque Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Light mahogany and maple on solid wood. Very rich, Baroque inlaid work. High-corpuscular body. On balustrade-shaped legs connected with an X-shaped ridge. Above two-wise frame base with profiled cover plate. Three-sided sprout-glazed, single-door display case. Interior shelves, wall covered...
Mahogany
20th Century antique Style Baroque Solid Wood Silver Plated Commode
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood, silver-plated on softwood. Straight body on a fitting curved frame, over sculptural carved claw feet. In the convex and concave curved front four drawers of different siz...
Wood
$2,153
H 24.41 in W 16.54 in D 11.42 in
19th Century Corner Shelf, in Solid Walnut Hand-Carved, Restored Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century corner shelf, in solid walnut hand-carved, restored and wax finished Measure in cm: H 62 x W 42 x D Ang. 29 x 29.
Walnut
$242
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$4,350 / item
H 6.5 in W 63 in D 10.25 in
L Wall Shelf in Waxed and Polished Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
L-wall shelf in quarter inch thick aluminum plate. Digitally cut aluminum plates intersect and are fused with recessed welds that are ground smooth. Plates are hand finished and waxe...
Aluminum
Paul Evans Cityscape Brass and Glass Wall Mount Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Cityscape shelf with brass supports and glass shelf. In original condition with visible wear, consistent with age and use.
Brass
Polished Walnut Console Table, Italian Classic 18th Century Design
Located in New York, NY
18th century Italian Classic walnut console table. Newly refinished. Traditional design with trestle base. Polished walnut. Beautiful natural patina. Other sizes and prices available.
Walnut
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Montréal, CA
This carved wooden wall bracket shelf, likely produced in Italy in the early 20th century, draws on classical architectural forms with a distinctly sculptural presence. The fluted, b...
Wood
$1,850
H 57.75 in W 31 in D 11.75 in
19th Century Mahogany Barley Twist Etagere, Five Tier, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century five tier graduated etagere / shelf with barley twist legs topped with hand carved finials. Each shelf is backed with carved stop.
Mahogany
$7,529 / item
H 48.82 in Dm 15.75 in
Mini MYDNA 4 Tier, Standing Shelf, Shelving Unit in Red by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
MYDNA is a chic and contemporary storage system inspired by the DNA concept: both by its sophisticated double helix shape, and by the metaphorical statement that everything you place...
Plywood
$1,450
H 37.5 in W 17 in D 13 in
Antique Bamboo Etagere, Five Shelves, English, 19th Century, Ca. 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique burnt bamboo etagere / shelves. This piece has five shelves including the top one. Very nice and sturdy condition.
Bamboo
Matched Pair of 19th Century Plate Racks
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Matched pair of 19th Century plate racks in original grey paint from Halsingland, Sweden.
Wood
Pair Italian Regency Faux Bamboo Iron Etagere Shelves
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of matching mid-century modern Italian Regency etagere display shelves or bookcases. The shelves feature a dramatic gilt finish on the iron faux bamboo frames. The six...
Iron
$981
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 14.18 in
Italian Corner Shelf or Étagère in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century bamboo and rattan triangular corner shelf, fully handmade in curved bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This delightful piece was produced in Italy during the...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Impressive Pair C19th Italian Limewood Carved Corner Shelves
By Giovanni Corradini & Giancarlo Simonetti
Located in Dereham, GB
Impressive pair C19th Italian limewood carved Corner shelves Carving in the Renaissance & Baroque manner, Fine Limewood carved, mask heads, Mythical Creatures, floral & leaf carving, exceptional fine detailed carving Pine Back boards...
Fruitwood
Painted wooden lector's desk, Venice, 18th century.
Located in PARIS, FR
Painted wooden lectern, Venice, 18th century. Large reading lectern, carved and painted wood decorated with a cardinal's coat of arms. Venice, 18th century. Rare, very beautiful effe...
Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 33.86 in D 5.12 in
Danish Modern, Vintage Wall Étagére in Oak, Made in the 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant Danish wall etagère in solid oak, made in the mid 20th century by a skilled carpenter. Beautiful carved details in this vintage beauty that results in a shelf unit that will complement any modern interior. The aged patina acquired over time further...
Oak
Vintage Wall Étagére, French Modern, Made in the 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant French wall etagère, made in the 19th century. Beautiful carved details in this vintage beauty that results in a shelf unit that will complement any modern interior. The stained finish adds depth and character to the wood. The aged patina acquired over time further...
Beech
French Modern Vintage Étagére Shelf in Stained Beech, 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant French five shelves etagère, made in the 19th century. This exquisite étagère combines the elegance of French design with the allure of vintage aesthetics, resulting in a ...
Beech
21th Century Italian Baroque Style Particular Wall Shelf
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined Italian sculpture in composite material recently manufactured. A beautiful wall shelf characterized by an elaborate Baroque style decoration with curls and volutes, in the ce...
Composition
Pine Three Drawer Console Bookcase
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a handsome and sturdy bookcase of considerable presence and character. The top is made of two planks over 1.5” thick above a frieze that houses three lap-jointed drawers. T...
Pine
Sold
H 48.43 in W 26.78 in D 11.82 in
French Modern Vintage Étagére Shelf in Stained Pine, 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A elegant French five shelves etagère, made in the 19th century. Beautiful hand carved details, this shelve unit will complementary any modern interior.
Pine
Sold
H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 5.12 in
19th Century Italian Ornamental Capital as Wall Bracket Wooden Base Hand-Carved
Located in Milano, MI
Italian early 19th century silver-leaf and Mecca Capital Ornamental Frieze as wall bracket. Beautiful and deep scrolling Baroque taste carving. Dark...
Silver Leaf
Pair of 18th Century Italian Giltwood and Majolica Wall Brackets
Located in Milano, MI
Delightful and unique pair of Baroque carved and gilded wall brackets realized with a white and green hand-painted majolica demi tureen lid of a Southern Italy manufacture Cerreto Sa...
Maiolica, Pine, Giltwood
Sold
H 6.5 in W 14.77 in D 5.52 in
Small 18th Century Italian Baroque Giltwood Wall Console with Angel
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and well detailed small giltwood Baroque console with an angel. Italy, circa 1750. Weathered, small losses and old repairs.
Giltwood
Antique French Baroque Style Wall Bracket, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A pair of French Baroque style hand carved gesso and wood floral scroll design wall brackets featuring a scalloped gild painted shelving. This elegant...
Wood, Paint, Gesso