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.
Early 2000s Italian Baroque Furniture
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Northern Irish Baroque Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
2010s British Baroque Furniture
Wood, Gesso
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Crystal, Nickel, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Baroque Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
2010s North American Baroque Furniture
Rock Crystal, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary English Baroque Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary English Baroque Furniture
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Baroque Furniture
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Baroque Furniture
Wrought Iron
2010s Italian Baroque Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Baroque Furniture
Crystal, Metal