Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
1670s English Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Birch
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold, Enamel, Other
17th Century English Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1670s English Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1610s English Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1670s European Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
16th Century German Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
19th Century German Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1750s Italian Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
19th Century Irish Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
1670s English Antique Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper