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 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
18th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary North American Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood, Walnut
1910s French Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine, Giltwood
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 1800s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint, Giltwood
20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
17th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Chestnut
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Marble
Mid-18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Early 17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Other
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silk
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold
Late 17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
Late 19th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
1840s Austrian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
17th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Terracotta
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 2000s English Baroque Decorative Art
Leather
1880s American Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
1610s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Plexiglass, Boxwood, Paint, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Maiolica, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
1850s German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas
17th Century Russian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Tapestry