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.
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
1970s Israeli Vintage Baroque Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wool, Cotton
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 18th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Pine, Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Baroque Furniture
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Mirror
18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
18th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Pine, Cherry
1890s Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
1790s Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
1820s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1750s French Antique Baroque Furniture
Rock Crystal, Gold
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Furniture
Lambskin, Oak
19th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Bronze
Early 18th Century Norwegian Antique Baroque Furniture
Burl
1960s French Vintage Baroque Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood, Paint
1930s Italian Vintage Baroque Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century German Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Furniture
Crystal
1990s French Baroque Furniture
Bronze
16th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century French Baroque Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary British Baroque Furniture
Shell
17th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Canvas
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Baroque Furniture
Wool, Silk
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Antique Baroque Furniture
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century Central American Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood, Pine, Paint
20th Century American Baroque Furniture
Brass
1890s Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Linen, Down
1850s German Antique Baroque Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut
17th Century European Antique Baroque Furniture
Paper