Baroque Furniture
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 Portuguese Antique Baroque Furniture
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Silk, Velvet
2010s Italian Baroque Furniture
Marble, Gold Leaf
20th Century French Baroque Furniture
Textile, Silk, Linen
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Velvet
1990s Italian Baroque Furniture
Silver
Early 1900s Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Velvet
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Velvet, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Furniture
Velvet
2010s Italian Baroque Furniture
Velvet
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Metallic Thread
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Baroque Furniture
Cotton, Silk, Velvet, Nylon, Polyester
2010s American Baroque Furniture
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Furniture
Silk, Velvet
15th Century and Earlier Malaysian Antique Baroque Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Baroque Furniture
Silver
2010s French Baroque Furniture
Linen
2010s French Baroque Furniture
Linen
20th Century German Baroque Furniture
Porcelain
1970s German Vintage Baroque Furniture
Metal
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Furniture
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Furniture
Other
Mid-17th Century French Antique Baroque Furniture
Walnut