Baroque Decorative Art
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 German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Antler, Wood
20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Resin, Wood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Late 18th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Antler, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tapestry
17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
1910s Italian Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Giltwood, Wood
19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pottery
Late 18th Century Unknown Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Precious Stone, Wood
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
20th Century German Baroque Decorative Art
Antler, Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Vermeil, Silver
Late 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Faience
1770s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Hardwood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Walnut
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Agate, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 1700s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper, Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Wood
1780s Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Maiolica, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Pottery
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine, Giltwood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood