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.
17th Century Flemish Verdure Tapestry Pillow - 16 X 7.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A rare 17th century Flemish verdure tapestry pillow composed from an original handwoven wool fragment, created in the historic tapestry workshops of Flanders during the Baroque era. ...
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow with Botanical Motif
Located in Los Angeles, US
A finely preserved 17th-century Flemish tapestry pillow, incorporating an original handwoven wool tapestry fragment from Flanders, Belgium. The front panel displays a scrolling botan...
Wool
17th Century Flemish Abstract Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
An authentic 17th century Flemish tapestry fragment mounted as a decorative pillow, woven in wool and featuring an abstract landscape inspired composition with architectural underton...
Wool
17th Century Flemish Handwoven Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A rare 17th century Flemish tapestry fragment transformed into a decorative pillow, woven in wool and displaying a refined abstract composition with architectural references and line...
Wool
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A refined early Flemish tapestry fragment dating to the 17th century, transformed into a decorative pillow. Woven entirely by hand in wool, this piece originates from Flanders and fe...
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Figural Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A refined antique pillow crafted from a genuine 17th century Flemish tapestry fragment, featuring a striking figural portrait woven in wool. Produced in Flanders during the height of...
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow, Handwoven Wool, Antique Textile
Located in Los Angeles, US
An exceptional 17th century Flemish tapestry pillow composed from an original handwoven wool tapestry fragment, attributed to the renowned textile traditions of Flanders in present d...
Wool
$1,510 / set
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
This refined decorative pillow is crafted from an authentic 17th century Flemish tapestry fragment, originating from Flanders during the Baroque period, a time when large scale woven...
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Antique 18th C Brussels Tapestry Pillows Cushions Designer Billy Baldwin
By Flemish
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite pair of vibrant, 18th Century Brussels tapestry pillows in pristine condition with raw silk backing. Provenance: Designer Billy Baldwin Complimentary Shipping!
Tapestry, Wool
Pair of Baroque Velvet Pillows, Metallic Embroidery, Silk Backs, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of custom pillows made with 19th century metallic embroidered pieces applied to rich, brown velvet fronts and silk backs. Each pillow is adorned with intricate gold metallic emb...
Metallic Thread
16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
An exquisite 16th-century Brussels tapestry fragment transformed into a refined decorative pillow. Woven in wool and silk, this piece features classical Baroque foliage with soft blu...
Wool, Cotton
16th Century Flemish Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A superb example of a 16th Century Flemish Brussels tapestry fragment repurposed as a decorative pillow. The panel features a masterfully woven still life of grapes and fruit against...
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Florentine Velvet and Silk Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
An opulent fragment of 17th-century Florentine textile art, this piece showcases masterful craftsmanship in deep crimson cut velvet over a shimmering silk ground. The richly textured...
Silk
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
This 17th century Brussels tapestry pillow features a bold and primitive medallion design, handwoven in earthy tones of deep brown, ochre, and ivory. The graphic, almost tribal-like ...
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
This rare 17th century Brussels tapestry pillow is created from an authentic Flemish tapestry fragment, offering a more understated yet deeply sophisticated expression of Baroque tex...
Wool, Cotton, Feathers
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow with Baroque Foliage
Located in Los Angeles, US
This rare 17th century Brussels tapestry pillow is crafted from an authentic fragment of Flemish Baroque weaving, offering a refined example of early European textile artistry. Bruss...
Wool, Cotton, Feathers
17th Century Brussels Verdure Tapestry Pillow with Forest Foliage
Located in Los Angeles, US
This decorative pillow is made from an authentic fragment of a 17th century Brussels tapestry, originating from the renowned weaving centers of Flanders that flourished during the Ba...
Wool, Cotton, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A rare 17th century Flemish tapestry pillow crafted from an original Baroque period wool tapestry fragment, woven in Flanders during one of Europe’s most important eras of textile pr...
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Abstract Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A rare 17th century Flemish tapestry pillow constructed from an original Baroque era wool tapestry fragment, woven in Flanders during a period renowned for its exceptional textile pr...
Wool
Gold Stenciled Nomi Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stenciled velvet pillow by Nomi Textiles is a striking decorative piece, showcasing a luxurious eggplant base with an ornate antique gold pattern stenciled onto the velvet surfa...
Velvet
17th Century Florentine Velvet and Silk Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
An opulent fragment of 17th-century Florentine textile art, this piece showcases masterful craftsmanship in deep crimson cut velvet over a shimmering silk ground. The richly textured...
Silk, Velvet
17th Century Pair Of Flemish Tapestry Fragment Pillows
Located in Basildon, GB
17th Century Pair Of Flemish Tapestry Fragments, worked in coloured threads with Ceres and another goddess within arbours with cherubs, more recently adapted as pillow / cushions, wi...
Gold Leaf
Fortuny Fabric Cushion in the Ucceli Pattern
Located in New York, NY
A Fortuny fabric lumbar cushion in the Uccelli pattern, antique yellow and monotones, silk blend backing material and silk bias edging, the pattern, a 17th century French design with...
Cotton
Bedcover Hanging Curtains Italian Linen Green Ivory Damask Handwoven
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Exceptionally rare, Italian, 17th century, green and ivory, damask, linen, woven bedcover - Made as a luxury item in the mid-17th century, woven with a damask pattern characteristic...
Linen
Mid 16th Century Antique Flemish Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid 16th Century Antique Flemish Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton