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.
19th Century Pair of Italian Baroque Style Giltwood Bed Coronas
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of large 19th century Italian bed coronas or crowns made in the Baroque taste. The coronas feature demi-lune shaped frames embe...
Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Baroque Style Carved and Gilded Wood with Fabric Headboard
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Italian Baroque style carved wood with fabric headboard Original patinated.
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Italian bed crown ciel de lit corona
Located in Bristol, RI
This is a beautifuuly crafted ciel de lit bed crown or corona. I am assuming that it was Italian made due to the incredible construction. It as so elegantly made. Just a beautiful d...
Metal
SPECTACULAR PAIR OF PORTUGUESE STYLE BEDS early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
SPECTACULAR PAIR OF PORTUGUESE STYLE BEDS early 19th Century in carved rosewood, headboards decorated with gummed friezes, feathers and plant motifs, with curved feet. Dim.: 190 x...
Wood
French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona
Located in Essex, MA
With acorn and oak leaf crest and scrolled swans. Probably used over a bed.
Other
$5,200
H 71.25 in W 80.25 in D 3 in
Antique Polychrome Baroque Gilt Venetian-Style Carved Wood King Headboard
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
This exquisite antique Venetian-style king bed is a true showstopper, featuring an intricately hand-carved and gilded frame with a soft, distressed celadon green finish. The elaborat...
Wood
$6,890
H 66.15 in W 54.73 in D 78.75 in
19th Century, Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Fluted Poster Spanish Bed
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century baroque bed, original Spanish bed. This queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with elaborate details, fluted turned post, 3D open spiral twist...
Walnut
$4,800 / set
H 47 in W 41.5 in D 41.5 in
Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Grain Painted and Decorated Twin Cannonball Beds. Most likely Maine. Circa 1830. Retaining original paint decoration of the Federal Period Mixed woods, ma...
Maple
$8,775
H 62.21 in W 60.63 in D 80.71 in
19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Solomonic Poster Lisbon Bed
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with elaborate details, spiral turned post, 3D open spiral twist spindles, and Moorish deta...
Walnut
18th Century Italian Venetian Carved and Polychrome Headboard
Located in Vero Beach, FL
18th Century Italian Venetian Carved and Polychrome Headboard 18th century hand carved baroque frame with ochre polychrome, flower spreads and partly gilded decoration. The wall mou...
Textile, Wood
$17,984
H 55.12 in W 76.78 in D 85.83 in
Lit De Marriage Bed, Made in the LXV Style, Finished in Rose and Silver
Located in London, Park Royal
The Lit De Marriage Bed, hand carved in the Louis XV style has been modelled after one of our original pieces from the 1800s which was made in the French ...
Wood
Italian 40s Deco Single Bed
Located in Milan, IT
Deco single bed. Solid walnut wood frame with minimal sleek top decoration.
Walnut
$8,775
H 77.56 in W 60.63 in D 77.96 in
19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with elaborate details, spiral turned post, 3D open spiral twist spindles, and Moorish deta...
Walnut
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
Wood, Mahogany
Italian Mid-19th Century Poplar Burl Bed
Located in Prato, IT
Piemonte, Italy, mid-19th century In poplar, walnut and poplar burl. Very good condition Dimensions: 115 x 207 x 110 cm Complete with mattress (Simmons...
Poplar
$1,776
H 73.63 in W 57.88 in D 74.81 in
Bed frame. Carved and turned wood. 20th century, following ancient models.
Located in Madrid, ES
Bed frame. Carved and turned wood. 20th century, following ancient models. Bed frame composed of a headboard and footboard made of carved and turned wood called mogno, creating arc...
Other
Carved Giltwood Corona or Baldachin
Located in Nashville, TN
An antique carved and gilded wood canopy of crown (corona) form . Nice old gold or gilt patina ,reflecting years of age probably in oil or coal heated boudoirs. Original purpose was...
Giltwood
Large Italian Baroque Forged Iron Bed Crown of the 17th Century
Located in Pistoia, IT
Gorgeous and rare 17th-century Italian Baroque altar canopy crown. Forged iron. Beautifully preserved, it has preserved the red polychromy inside. A work of great refinement, it stil...
Wrought Iron
RARE and SPECTACULAR 19th Century ITALIAN BED
Located in Madrid, ES
RARE and SPECTACULAR 19th Century ITALIAN BED Italian, 19th Century in walnut wood with carvings, inlaid fillets, . Compositions with "allegorical figures”. Dim.: 228 x 172 x 198 cm...
Wood
Eccentric Vintage Gilded Wood Double Bed
Located in Milano, IT
Eccentric double bed dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, fine French manufacture. The bed is a double bed, with a classic rectangular frame and four legs for support. T...
Giltwood
Italian 18th Century Baroque St. Giltwood Canopy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative Italian 18th century Baroque st. giltwood canopy. The beautiful canopy displays richly carved giltwood acanthus leaf pendants...
Giltwood
Sold
H 24.41 in W 43.31 in D 21.26 in
Italian Early 19th Century Baroque Style Giltwood Bed Crown/ Canapé
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare giltwood bed crown /canapé in Baroque style. Unique piece. Italy, circa 1800-1840. Weathered small losses and old repairs.
Giltwood
Sold
H 62.21 in W 48.82 in D 1.19 in
Baroque Walnut Doors, Suitable for Pair of Head Boards or Cupboard
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of antique walnut little doors, suitable for wall cabinet or particular partition in a lounge: lifted from the Suitable as: - lifted from the ground (as it once was in the Salo...
Walnut
Italian Giltwood Carved Bed Corona with Tassels, circa 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian gold leaf carved bed crown made with carved acanthus leaves and (8) hand-carved tassels hanging from the bottom. It can be hung over a bed or doorway to a room. You can drape...
Giltwood
Antique Silver Gilt Hand-Carved Wood Pediment "Ciel De Lit"
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique hand-carved wood ornament is painted in silver gilt. The decorative elements are attached to a horizontal board at the bottom that has...
Wood
Carved Giltwood Jeweled Crown Altar Fragment
Located in Nashville, TN
Highly decorative and difficult to find. Probably from a church altar setting, the crown from Mary or a prominent saint. Gilded with carved jewels colored to resemble jewels (emerald...
Spanish Late 18th Century Baroque Giltwood Bed Crown/ Canapé
Located in Buisson, FR
Thank you for looking at one of our selected items on 1st Dibs. We are able to offer our unique and original antiques at the most competitive price level on this platform due to the fact that we are travelling through France every month and hand pick every item by ourselves. On this page you are looking at a: Beautiful and rare Baroque giltwood bed crown...
Giltwood
20th Century Venetian Single Bed in Lacquered and Painted Wood
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bed of early 20th century. Furniture in carved, lacquered and painted wood of great quality and fabulous furnishings. Single bed of exceptional decoration for decorators and antiques dealers. Baroque style furniture...
Wood