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.
1920s Mexican Vintage Baroque Furniture
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Canvas
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Textile, Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wrought Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Other, Pewter
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Wood
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Baroque Furniture
Elm
18th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Fruitwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Baroque Furniture
Elm
17th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Pewter
Late 19th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
2010s Japanese Baroque Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Murano Glass, Wood
1960s Polish Vintage Baroque Furniture
Canvas, Beech
Late 18th Century Peruvian Antique Baroque Furniture
Metal
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut