Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.
Late 18th Century French Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1870s Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Ash, Walnut
18th Century Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1760s Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wrought Iron
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Softwood
1880s German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Danish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Serpentine
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
18th Century Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Portuguese Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1780s German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
1980s American Vintage Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
18th Century Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s American Vintage Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Acrylic, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s American Vintage Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fabric, Wood
18th Century German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
1710s Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1760s German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1780s English Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1780s German Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
1720s French Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1890s Spanish Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
18th Century Antique Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze