Baroque Footstools
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.
20th Century European Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Baroque Footstools
Cowhide, Pine
1880s Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Pine
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric, Foam, Polyester, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
2010s American Baroque Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Walnut
2010s Italian Baroque Footstools
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Footstools
Gold Leaf
1740s Portuguese Antique Baroque Footstools
Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Baroque Footstools
Tapestry, Oak
Mid-20th Century Polish Baroque Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Baroque Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
20th Century European Baroque Footstools
Wood
1960s French Vintage Baroque Footstools
Wood
1950s French Vintage Baroque Footstools
Wood
1880s English Antique Baroque Footstools
Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Baroque Footstools
Mahogany
1980s English Vintage Baroque Footstools
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Footstools
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
2010s Polish Baroque Footstools
Wood, Velvet, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1700s European Antique Baroque Footstools
Walnut
1750s German Antique Baroque Footstools
Wood
1780s French Antique Baroque Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Tapestry
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Walnut
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Footstools
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Footstools
Birch