BAROQUE FURNITURE

Baroque furniture:
Works of art full of splendor and drama

What does Baroque furniture look like?

Baroque furniture is characterized by curved and sometimes bulbous shapes, as well as decorative, sculptural curves that are emphasized by the use of valuable materials. Baroque cabinets are real works of art that, due to their size, need space to develop their full effect. Baroque chests of drawers were mainly created between 1720 and 1750. Baroque tables and chairs had strikingly curved legs, often with ends in the shape of volutes or animal hooves. The most common types of Baroque furniture include Baroque cabinets, Baroque tables, Baroque chairs and Baroque beds, which were often decorated with intricate tendrils, putti, grotesques and other fantastic creatures. Baroque furniture was not only functional, but also beautiful and visually impressive, which is why it is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today.

Baroque furniture in transition

• Early Baroque:
  In the Baroque period, the strict lines of the Renaissance gave way to curved, sometimes bulbous forms. New decorations such as the auricle and cartilage ornament appeared. Coming from Nuremberg, wave and flame moldings gained importance in the design of Baroque furniture. They decorated columns, pilaster strips and served as a frame for the pieces of furniture.
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• High Baroque:
  The High Baroque was characterized by opulent splendor, lavish decorations and monumental architecture. Magnificent palaces, magnificent churches and impressive sculptures were built. Baroque furniture was also strongly influenced by Louis XIV, the Sun King (1653 - 1715). His lavish lifestyle and his pronounced preference for representative appearances served as a model for all European courts. Baroque cabinets featured striking, wide-ranging cornices, supported by free-standing, often twisted columns. New, elaborate marquetry work with high-quality veneers was created. The Baroque chest of drawers became the new highlight in France around 1700 and quickly achieved the status of the preferred cabinet furniture of its time.
  

• Late Baroque (Rococo):
  The Rococo, which lasted from about 1720 to 1770, broke with the angular shapes of earlier Baroque furniture and introduced curved, almost playful shapes from France. Although Rococo furniture was characterized on the outside by elaborate band inlays, typical ball feet and profiled skirting boards, the interior of Baroque cabinets often remained unfinished and rough. This situation only changed in the course of the Rococo development. From 1720 onwards, Baroque furniture was decorated with decorations such as bandwork and rocailles. Foreign materials such as brass, tin, silver, copper, ivory, mother of pearl, tortoiseshell and horn were often used as popular decorations and engraved. Rural and bourgeois Baroque furniture was mainly made of solid coniferous or oak wood.

The value of baroque furniture today

Baroque furniture dates back centuries and is still highly valued today, both for its historical significance and its aesthetic appeal. Collectors and enthusiasts around the world are willing to pay a lot of money for well-preserved pieces of Baroque furniture, especially masterpieces that feature the finest craftsmanship and materials.

As antique furniture dealers, we understand the value and beauty of Baroque furniture. Whether you are looking for a special piece for your home or a unique addition to your collection, Baroque furniture is a timeless choice that will captivate and inspire for generations to come.