Baroque Decorative Art
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 Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine
Late 19th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Late 17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Pine
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
1940s Asian Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Linen, Wood, Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 1900s European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Late 17th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Brass
17th Century Belgian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Tapestry
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Majolica, Faience
19th Century English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paint
19th Century English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint
1950s German Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Mirror, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Harewood, Reclaimed Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Copper
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Rock Crystal, Quartz, Agate, Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
17th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
Early 18th Century European Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Chestnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Oak
1890s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
16th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Metal
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1890s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1910s French Vintage Baroque Decorative Art
Bronze, Enamel
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wood
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
1840s German Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Glass, Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Ceramic, Wood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Oak
Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Art
Delft, Faience, Terracotta
17th Century Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1840s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Fruitwood
17th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
19th Century Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint
18th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Wool, Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Art
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Baroque Decorative Art
Paper