Baroque Furniture
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.
19th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Silk, Velvet
Early 2000s Chinese Baroque Furniture
Wool, Silk
18th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Other
Mid-20th Century Baroque Furniture
Mohair
1880s Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
1910s English Vintage Baroque Furniture
Sterling Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Metallic Thread
1750s German Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut, Yew
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Early 18th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Silk
19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Furniture
Wood, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Baroque Furniture
Wool, Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Furniture
Mohair
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood, Paper
1850s Unknown Antique Baroque Furniture
Paper
1970s Swiss Vintage Baroque Furniture
Fabric
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary German Baroque Furniture
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-20th Century German Baroque Furniture
Plaster, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Ceramic
1880s Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Paper
1990s Unknown Baroque Furniture
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Silk
1860s French Antique Baroque Furniture
Cut Glass
Late 18th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
Early 18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Other