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.
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century European Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Early 20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Faience
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
1840s Austrian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Acrylic, Lucite, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Vermeil, Silver
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass
1780s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Carrara Marble
1770s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century German Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Wood, Paint, Oak
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
1780s Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
17th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
1820s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Iron
Mid-18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
Early 1700s Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper, Silver Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Velvet
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Late 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century European Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Early 17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
18th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silk, Wool
1760s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Beech
19th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pottery
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
1610s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1910s Italian Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
19th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Wood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tapestry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Fiberglass
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood