Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
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.
1770s Swiss Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry, Kingwood
1750s German Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Yew
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
18th Century European Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 17th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
1680s Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1860s Belgian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Bone, Tortoise Shell, Ebony
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Chestnut
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Nutwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 17th Century Maltese Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Olive
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
1760s German Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
1980s Portuguese Vintage Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1880s Portuguese Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
17th Century German Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Fruitwood, Oak
Late 18th Century Czech Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer, Walnut
18th Century Antique Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Oak