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 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Siena Marble
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Bone
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Silk
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
1990s Italian Baroque Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
1790s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Silk, Velvet
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Early 1700s German Antique Baroque Furniture
Ebony, Fruitwood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Baroque Furniture
Slate
1920s French Vintage Baroque Furniture
Crystal
17th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th Century Baroque Furniture
Walnut
2010s English Baroque Furniture
Gold Plate
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
18th Century Swiss Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
1920s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Enamel, Gold Leaf
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Baroque Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Limestone
18th Century European Antique Baroque Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Fruitwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Baroque Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Pine
20th Century Baroque Furniture
Sterling Silver
1880s English Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Mid-17th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Velvet
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Carrara Marble
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Gesso, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Pine
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Mexican Antique Baroque Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
1670s Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
17th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Wool, Silk
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Furniture
Bronze