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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Bronze
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 1800s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Wood
2010s British Baroque Decorative Art
Burlap, Plaster, Wood
18th Century Finnish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
2010s British Baroque Decorative Art
Burlap, Plaster, Wood
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paper
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
1790s Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silver Plate
Early 17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Plexiglass, Boxwood, Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Leather
17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Bone, Tortoise Shell, Wood
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century and Earlier Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Tapestry
Early 20th Century European Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf