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.
18th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Peruvian Baroque Furniture
Canvas
19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak, Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Gold
Early 18th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Maple, Olive
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Pottery
1920s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Silver
Early 1700s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Maiolica
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Metal
17th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak, Fabric, Wood
Late 17th Century European Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
1620s Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century European Antique Baroque Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Pottery
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Metal
1870s German Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Ebony, Olive
18th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Tapestry, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Silver Leaf
1930s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Walnut
1910s Austrian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Silver
Mid-18th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Wrought Iron
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Delft
1690s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Gold Leaf
1650s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
1740s German Antique Baroque Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Alabaster
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Pine
19th Century English Antique Baroque Furniture
Stone
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Metal
1860s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Delft
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
Early 20th Century German Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
1750s Norwegian Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Fruitwood
19th Century North American Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
20th Century European Baroque Furniture
Glass, Wood