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 2000s English Baroque Decorative Art
Leather
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine, Giltwood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
17th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
19th Century Irish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Walnut
17th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
1840s German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass, Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine, Giltwood
Early 1800s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
Early 20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
1940s Asian Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
1850s German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paper
16th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Agate, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silk
18th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Softwood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain, Giltwood
20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 20th Century Unknown Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain, Giltwood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Plexiglass, Boxwood, Paint, Paper
17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Maiolica, Porcelain
1880s American Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas