Baroque Historical Memorabilia
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.
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Silver
Late 20th Century Dutch Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
1850s Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Pine
1670s English Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood, Giltwood
18th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Steel
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Rosewood
19th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Leather
Early 17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Walnut
18th Century German Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Blown Glass
1850s Austrian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Steel
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Pine
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Bronze, Silver
Late 17th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
20th Century Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Paper
19th Century Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Gesso, Wood, Paint
15th Century and Earlier Malaysian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Mahogany
20th Century English Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
19th Century Congolese Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
20th Century German Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Wood
18th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Marble
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Clay
19th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Paper
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Canvas, Hardwood
Mid-18th Century European Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Lead
18th Century Unknown Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Giltwood, Canvas
Early 19th Century French Antique Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Enamel