Baroque Vanities
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.
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Vanities
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Vanities
Mirror, Wood
18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Vanities
Fruitwood, Walnut, Pine
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Vanities
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
18th Century German Antique Baroque Vanities
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary German Baroque Vanities
Maple, Walnut
2010s Turkish Baroque Vanities
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Baroque Vanities
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Baroque Vanities
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Dutch Baroque Vanities
Mirror, Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Baroque Vanities
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Vanities
Mirror, Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Baroque Vanities
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Vanities
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Baroque Vanities
Oak
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Vanities
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Walnut
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Vanities
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Baroque Vanities
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Vanities
Resin, Synthetic
19th Century French Antique Baroque Vanities
Copper