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.
Writing table, Baroque, Boulle, France, 19th century, Venetian country villa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Refined dining set consisting of a shaped table and four matching chairs, executed in the Boulle style and dating from the second half of the 19th century. Made of ebonized wood, the...
Brass, Bronze
Set of 8 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Dining Chairs
Located in Manhasset, NY
A set of eight finely carved and gilt dining chairs, all finely distress paint decorative with original horsehair seats. Each alternating chair measures 18 in W, 43 in H, 15 in D. wi...
Wood, Giltwood
Silik Style Italian Baroque Rococo Dining Room Set by John Turano & Sons - 7 Pcs
By John Turano & Sons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Silik Style Italian Baroque Rococo Dining Room Set by John Turano & Sons. Listing includes (2) 15" leaves, (4) side chairs, (2) armchairs with hand painted...
Wood
Large Shape-Shifting French Baroque Table
Located in New York, NY
French gate-leg table, circa 1650. Oak with metal fittings. Measures: Height 28 ¼“ width 54“ depth 20 ½“ / 41 ½“/ 62“ $20,000. This solid oak French Baroque table...
Oak
Swedish 19th Century Carved Oak Dining Chairs - Set of Six
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous set of carved oak Biedermeier-style chairs from Sweden, early 19th century, with soft cut-velvet seats to enhance the sense of refinement the period is known for. The curv...
Textile, Oak
$6,957 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 23.23 in
Set of 4 pcs. Italian Mid-Century Giorgetti Dining Chairs from 1980's
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian mid-century Giorgetti set of 4 pcs. dining chairs. The chairs are created in black painted wood with walnut details and authentic excellent quality Pale Carmine color natural...
Leather, Wood
Set of Six 19th Century Swedish Carved Back Dining Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming set of six Swedish dining chairs with richly carved seat backs with lyre and leaf motifs. Recent upholstery seat in linen.
Linen, Wood, Paint
Set of 6 19th century Regency mahogany dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 19th century regency mahogany dining chairs circa 1820. Good quality set of 6 regency dining chairs, made in fine mahogany. Carv...
Fabric, Mahogany
Portuguese Baroque Style Rosewood Library Table or Center Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Portuguese library writing table, center table, or escritorio crafted from radiant rosewood in the baroque taste. The table has a rectangular top with a decorative gadr...
Brass
19th Century British Dining Chairs, Set of Four
Located in High Point, NC
Made in the United Kingdom in the 19th Century, this set of four chairs is made of wood and features an upholstered cushion. Finished in black, the refined style of these chairs lend...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Swedish Baroque Pine Centre Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish baroque centre table in pine. The table is originally from northern Sweden and has wonderful proportions with the four turned legs...
Pine
André Arbus Dining Room Set.
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
André Arbus dining room set. Oak table in ebonized pearwood. 8 chairs and 2 armchairs with medallion backrest, conical front and saber back legs. Covered in Havana velvet. Table ...
Velvet, Ebony, Pearwood
Lovely Dining Set, Four Chairs and a Dining Room Table
Located in New York, NY
This set includes a dining room table that includes an attachment. The table is approximately 53 inches long, but the extension adds 16 inches, making it nearly 70 inches in length. ...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Baroque Center Table
Located in Bozeman, MT
Unusual 18th century Swedish Baroque centre table in it's original colour. Ca 1750 Sweden.
Pine
19th Century French Carved Oak Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Oak side or writing table from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge. The apron is hand carved with leaves and vine decoration on al...
Oak
Set of Eight 19th Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of eight mahogany dining chairs in the Queen Anne style, consisting of six side chairs and two armchairs, the shaped central splat back with carved shell decoration flanked by ...
Mahogany
Pair of Scagliola Tops, Italian Manufacture, Naples, 18th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Scagliola Tops, Italian manufacture, Naples, 18th century rectangular in shape 130X65X4.5cm Reserves in yellow and black on a porphyry background good conditions
Marble
Sold
H 43 in W 18 in D 15 in
Set of 8 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Dining Chairs and Table
Located in Manhasset, NY
A set of eight finely carved and gilt dining chairs, all finely distress paint decorative with original horsehair seats. Each alternating chair measures 18 in W, 43 in H, 15 in D. wi...
Wood, Giltwood
Sold
H 30 in W 108 in D 31 in
18th Century Italian Gilt Dining Table w Eight Chair Suite. Carved and Painted.
Located in Manhasset, NY
18th Century Italian Gilt Dining Table w Eight Chair Suite. Carved and Painted. . One of a kind fabulous late 18th century double pedestal fi...
Stone
Large Danish Antique Farm Style Draw Leaf Oak Dining Table Seats 14
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Monumental large size dining table made from oak by an unknown Danish master carpenter, circa 1880-1900. This grand table purportedly came from...
Oak
Sold
H 100.4 in W 20.87 in D 66.15 in
20th Century Italian Venetian Baroque Style and Painted Dining Room Set
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined and elegant complete dining room set created 20th century in perfect Venetian Baroque style. The room faithfully reproduces the splendor and refinement of the Baroque period....
Fabric, Wool
Sold
H 26.78 in W 44.89 in D 29.14 in
Wrought Iron Table and Four Armchairs, France, circa 1940s-1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Outdoor dining set comprised of a rectangular table and four armchairs of solid wrought iron with elaborate scrolling curlicue motifs. The tabletop as well as the chair backs and ...