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.
Portuguese Wall Cabinet Made with 19th Century Door
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary Portuguese door from the early 19th century, fitted onto a custom wall-mounted cabinet for a unique storage option across rooms and decorating styles. Below a steppe...
Iron
French Baroque Style Hand-Carved Walnut Bracket with Putti and Foliage, 1800s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Baroque style French walnut bracket with hand-carved putti, circa 1800. Born during the tumultuous years of the early 19th century, this French bracket features a semi-circular sha...
Walnut
Pair Gilded Wall Console Shelves, Baroque Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This elegant pair of early 20th-century wall console shelves dates to the 1920s and showcases the refined decorative craftsmanship of the period. Each sculptural console features ric...
Wood
Antique Gilded Wall Console Shelves, Baroque Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This elegant pair of wall console shelves showcases fine early 20th-century craftsmanship, dating from the 1900s–1910s. Handcrafted from quality wood, each console is expertly covere...
Wood
Walnut paneling with built-in door
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Walnut paneling with a built-in door on the right. The style is reminiscent of French paneling or that of northern Italy in the French style, featuring contoured panels and understat...
Wood, Nutwood
Pair massive Wall Brackets Consoles, Baroque Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This elegant pair of early 20th-century wall console brackets dates to the 1920s and showcases the refined decorative craftsmanship of the period. Each sculptural console features ri...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Italian Shelves in Gilded Wood and Baroque Majolica 1700s
Located in Milano, MI
Two 19th-century Italian Gilded Antique Shelves centered by 1700s Majolica, small shaped shelves in carved and gilded wood, made from a polychrome majolica lid divided into two parts...
Maiolica, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Wall Bracket, Hand-Carved
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian (17/18th Century) gilt wood carved wall bracket with winged angel and foliate details.
Giltwood
Set of four Wrought Iron Skeleton Key Antique German Folk Art, 18th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely collection of old antique iron skeleton keys. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to your collection or...
Metal, Iron
Pair of Large Mid-18th Century George II Rococo Gilt Corner Brackets
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptionally fine pair of Baroque wall brackets. Water gilded with excellent patina with the gold subtly transparent showing its rich red bole, the brackets are rare both for their complexity and large size. An oyster shell shaped cartouche surrounded by theatrical garlands flowers...
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Baroque Console Shelves, Gilded Wood, Pair
Located in Buxton, GB
This exceptional pair of Italian console shelves from the 18th century that exude elegance and grandeur. The intricate design and craftsmanship of these shelves are a testament to th...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
$4,004Sale Price|20% Off
Beautiful Swedish alder root Wall Cabinet from Mid-18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Swedish alder root Wall Cabinet from Mid-18th Century. Made in alder root and elm around Lake Mälaren west of Stockhom, Sweden. Perfect as a small wall cabinet in the kitch...
Wood
Italian Baroque Period Walnut Three Level Wall Shelf, mid 17th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having shaped and slightly tapering sides with an angled roof, the three shelves fronted by protective slats
Walnut
18th Century Carved Giltwood Shelf / Wall Bracket / Architectural Corbel
Located in Madrid, ES
This hand carved giltwood shelf / wall bracket or architectural corbel clearly displays the strength, drama and beauty of Spanish Baroque style. The cen...
Wrought Iron
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Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Wall Brackets. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood painted and gilt wall brackets with scrolled floral and tassel arms supporting upper shelf. Early 19th Century
Gold Leaf
$1,387
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 8.47 in
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Wall Cabinet / Small Cabinet Carved Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely antique 19th century Neoclassical wall cabinet / small cabinet Germany 1880. This German Grunderzeit cabinet is made from hand carved oak & is richly decorated. A true display of craftsmanship & quality. This cabinet has 2 doors and comes with a working lock & key. Its interior has 2 oak shelves. The cabinet has a very nice old restoration to the right side dating from the 1940s. A piece of furniture history with the right antique charm...
Brass
$1,516
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 9.85 in
Antique Swedish Empire Wall Cabinet 19th Century Walnut Gilt Bronze Hanging
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & stylish Swedish wall cabinet in Empire style 19th century. with carvings in walnut & gilt bronze decorations Really nice solid wood quality with hand carved decorations. ...
Bronze
$6,250
H 108 in W 105 in D 17 in
George Nelson Omni-Style Modular Wall Unit in Walnut with Black Metal Frame
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking mid-century modern wall unit in the style of George Nelson, featuring a versatile modular shelving system with warm walnut cabinetry and a distinctive black metal framework....
Aluminum
$12,500 / set
H 9 in W 8 in D 8 in
Pair of English Chippendale Carved and Painted Swan Wall Brackets, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Chippendale carved pine and painted wall brackets with shell and swan motif. Late 18th Century.
$1,516
H 22.45 in W 13 in D 6.3 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Richly Carved Wall Cabinet 19th Century Brass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Luxurious & romantic French Renaissance revival Wall cabinet / small cabinet , richly carved & decorated with brass. Very nice craftsmanship with impressive carvings. When opened...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Wall Hanging Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish country Gustavian period hanging cabinet in pine featuring one door and interior shelves. Usable in a kitchen environment or by the entree of a house, to keep keys and smal...
Pine
19th Century Mahogany Corner Bracket with Inlaid Vignettes
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century mahogany corner bracket with inlaid vignettes. The vignettes depict a woman and a man fishing.
$781
H 24.25 in W 14 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Mirrored Mahogany Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Chippendale Mirrored Back Mahogany Corner wall shelf or whatnot. It features a mirrored back and intricate pierce-cut scrollwork. Style: Chippendale, or what...
Mirror, Mahogany
$3,950
H 37.75 in W 25.75 in D 11.75 in
19th Century Painted Skåne Wall Cabinet with Reeded Doors, Sweden
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional nineteenth-century painted wall cabinet originating from the Skåne region of southern Sweden, an area celebrated for its richly decorated folk furniture traditions. Cr...
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Wall Cabinet from Stockholm
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early nineteenth-century wall cabinet from Stockholm, showcasing the distinctive craftsmanship and regional character of Swedish furniture from this period. The cabinet has been c...
Wood
Adams Shelf Brackets, Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Steel
Pair of antique Venetian polychrome Italian wall consoles
Located in Milano, IT
Whimsical and captivating pair of Venetian wall-mounted brackets, hand-carved in 18th-century Venice, Italy. These figurative pieces are a stunning example of Baroque Venetian decora...
Wood
Imposing Baroque Predella in Gilded Wood 17th Century Shelf
Located in Pistoia, IT
Imposing Baroque Predella in carved wood and gilded, Italy, 17th century. The predella is part of ecclesiastical furnishings and is a painted or carved horizontal panel, composed o...
Wood
Pair of Antique Putti Musician Console Shelves
Located in Buxton, GB
This pair of antique Putti console shelves is a stunning addition to any collection. The intricate gilded plasterwork and beautiful angel musician carvin...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 10.25 in W 11.25 in D 6.25 in
Beautiful Baroque Style Tole Toleware Gilded Wall Console Shelf Germany 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1950s wall console or shelf. Minor patina gives this piece a classy statement. Made of hand craft wood, covered with plaster and gilded. Use just a...
Plaster, Wood
Sold
H 19 in W 6 in D 4 in
Beautiful & Rare Antique Mexican Wood Santos Wall Shelf Display Gilt by Cortes
Located in San Diego, CA
Mexican hand-painted and carved water guilt wooden wall shelf for display Santos figures, by Cortes Santero family very nice condition. Beautiful piece of art.
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 5.63 in W 1.75 in D 0.75 in
Set of four Wrought Iron Skeleton Key Antique German Folk Art, 18th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely collection of old antique iron skeleton keys. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to your collection or...
Metal, Iron
Sold
H 6.25 in W 5 in D 1.38 in
Beautiful Wrought Iron Key Hanger Board Antique German Folk Art, 18th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely key hanger board made of iron, brass and copper. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It is not marked. A nice addition to your collection. It is in very good as f...
Metal
Large Pair of 18th Century Italian Baroque Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Houston, TX
Large pair of 18th century Italian Baroque giltwood wall brackets. These gorgeous large scale 18th century Italian giltwood wall brackets, wall consoles or wall shelves are statemen...
Giltwood
Sold
H 6.5 in W 14.77 in D 5.52 in
Small 18th Century Italian Baroque Giltwood Wall Console with Angel
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and well detailed small giltwood Baroque console with an angel. Italy, circa 1750. Weathered, small losses and old repairs.
Giltwood
Italian Baroque Style Walnut One Drawer Wall Bracket
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hanging wall bracket with one drawer decorated with nailheads.
Bronze
Pine Wall-Mounted Guest Mailboxl
Located in Baltimore, MD
This charming bow-fronted wall rack was probably originally used in a small inn or guest house, its eight 5”x7” cubbies perfect for keys and mail and messages for various guests. Thi...
Pine
Sold
H 59.45 in W 35.44 in D 14.57 in
Antique Etagere in Painted Wood, Venetian Baroque, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Fabulous and magnificent Venetian Baroque style etagere from the early 1800s. The antique etagere is made of wood painted gold and, as you can see fro...
Wood