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.
Set of Four Venetian Polychrome Wall Consoles, 18th Century
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
A set of four carved wooden wall consoles from Venice, dating to the 18th century. Each console is of similar form: a projecting top with a painted green surface, a frieze of scrolli...
Mirror, Wood
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 of Giltwood Angels Shelves 19th Century Winged Cherubs Italian Brackets
Located in Milano, MI
A charming pair of Italian winged putti pinewood wall brackets, exquisitely carved and gilded. the two angel figures have their arms raised and they are topped by a shell-shaped top...
Pine, Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century, Baroque Style Carved Giltwood and Polychrome Wall Brackets
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of European carved wooden wall brackets with gilded and painted decoration, nineteenth century. Each takes the form of an architectural corbel, with a broad molded shelf suppo...
Giltwood
18th C. Italian Baroque Pair of Putto Motif Carved & Painted Wall Brackets
Located in East Point, GA
An Italian Baroque pair of carved and painted wood decorative wall brackets from the 18th century. These antique decorative wall brackets from Italy each feature a carved putto head ...
Wood
18th Century Antique Baroque Continental Putti Wall Bracket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exceptional 18th century carved wood wall bracket, featuring a finely sculpted putti surrounded by dramatic scrolling acanthus elements. Retaining traces of its original white gesso ...
Iron
Italian Baroque Style Late 19th Century Fruitwood Wall Bracket with Carved Putto
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Baroque style fruitwood wall bracket from the late 19th century, with carved putto figure. Born in Italy during the later years of the 19th century, this fruitwood bracket...
Fruitwood
Portuguese 18th Century Painted and Gilt Wall Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A magnificent 18th century Portuguese wall console, also called a bracket, originally part of the architectural program of a cathedral altar. The shelf is painted in a muted palette ...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
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
pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. Giltwood wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and richly carved pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. Giltwood wall brackets. This stunning pair are designed with three handsome scrolled and tapering acanthus leave...
Giltwood
Silver Gilt Carved Wood Wall Shelf
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful antique silver gilt hand carved wood wall shelf. Perfect for displaying art work or décor.
Giltwood
Pair of Highly Carved Partially Stripped French Oak Cherub Brackets, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of oak cherub brackets, or “consoles murale” originate from France and date to the mid-19th century. The intricate carvings adorning these mar...
Wood, Oak
Portuguese Eighteenth Century Decorative Wall Shelf
Located in Ballard, CA
Unique Baroque wall shelve from Portugal, adorned with beautiful gilt and faux marble, Having arrived in Portugal later than it did in the rest of Europe, baroque art was to take on ...
Fruitwood
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Carved Giltwood Baroque Wall Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental carved giltwood baroque wall bracket, with carved foliate scroll and putti motif. An unusually large wall bracket.
Gesso, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Doha, QA
This stunning set of antique 19th Century Louis XVI Wall sconces/mounted on mahogany wood (most likely during Art Noveau era ). The wood can be easily removed if necessary. The quali...
Gold, Bronze
Antique Baroque Style Wall Bracket
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique baroque style painted and gilt decorated wall bracket, 18th century. With a mid to late 20th century marble top, a gilt decorated cupid face with wings.
Marble, Gold Leaf
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Marble Topped Gilded and Silver Leafed Corner Bracket
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely carved partially Italian gilded corner bracket, silver leafed and painted with a dark green veined marble top bordered in gilded bronze. The rounded top supported by two carved palm frond...
Marble, Bronze
$9,500 / set
Pair Large Italian Gilt-Carved Brackets
Located in New York, NY
Pair large Italian gilt-carved brackets. Pair of gilt-carved brackets with rich silvered-gold patina and faux marble tops, Italy, circa 1770s Dimens...
Wood
Vintage Regency Hand Carved Putti Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage wall bracket exemplifies the exuberant ornamentation of Baroque design, often seen in grand European homes. Expertly hand-carved from wood, the corbel structure...
Wood
18th Century Italian Baroque Carved Giltwood Wall Bracket Console
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a dramatic statement with this impressive antique wall bracket console from Italy. Crafted circa 1760, the substantial piece is richly hand carved in the Baroque manner, featuri...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Polychrome and Giltwood Figural Wall Consoles, 20th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
A striking pair of Italian decorative wall consoles crafted in carved, polychrome and gilt wood, dating to the 20th century. Each console features a seated figure incorporated into ...
Wood
Pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. glazed patinated wood wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A whimsical and finely detailed pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. glazed patinated wood wall brackets. Each most decorative wall bracket is centered by a berried foliate botto...
Wood, Paint
pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. glazed patinated wood wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A whimsical and finely detailed pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. glazed patinated wood wall brackets. Each most decorative wall bracket is centered by a berried foliate botto...
Wood
pair of Italian 17th century Baroque period Giltwood mirrored wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and finely detailed pair of Italian 17th century Baroque period Giltwood mirrored wall brackets. Each wall bracket is centered by an impressive richly carved bottom foliat...
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century Venetian Hand Painted and Gold Gilded Console/Bracket
Located in Doha, QA
A fabulous early 19th centruy Italian Console, wall Bracket is an incredible example of venetian crafstmanship of that time. The top has a very good and spacious size. Gold gilded an...
Gold
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
Monumental 19th Century Solid Oak French Convent Wall Bracket, 55cm
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Monumental 19th Century Solid Oak French Convent Display Shelf An exceptionally rare and imposing architectural wall bracket, masterfully hewn from solid French oak and sourced fro...
Oak
Antique 18th Century Pair of Bronze Curtain Brackets with Pair of Tassels
Located in Doha, QA
Unique Rare 18th century Pair of French Bronze Curtain Brackets with matching Pair of Gold and Silver threaded Tassels of Louis XI Period. Paris ca 1780-1800.
Gold, Bronze, Metallic Thread
Antique 19th Century French Abbey Set of Four Large Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Doha, QA
These fantastic unusual four sconces have an incredibly detailed design. Each of them fit large candles with a diameter 7 to 9 cm. The Sconces are sold as they are, no wall mountings...
Gold, Bronze
Set of 4 Antique French Bronze Curtain Tiebacks, Circa 1860
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare set of 4 French tiebacks for curtains: a touch of elegance to the curtains of your home. It's a special price because one of them is without an a...
Bronze
Vintage Plaster Clamshell Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This ornate architectural wall bracket is a masterful expression of Neoclassical design, bringing a sense of historic grandeur to the modern interior. Expertly cast with intricate ac...
Plaster
Pair of Italian 18th Century Baroque Carved Mecca Decorative Wall Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful pair of Italian 18th century Baroque carved Mecca decorative wall decor. Each wall decor is in the shape of a family crest and displays wonderful richly scrolled designs ...
Wood