Style Guide: Baroque

The exuberant Baroque style originated in Italy and influenced all of Europe. English designers found new ideas in printed books of Continental ornament. Dutch and French craftspeople who settled in England also had a great influence on the development of the style. A sense of drama and a love of the ornate characterise the Baroque. Interiors were luxurious with rich velvet and damask furnishings and gilt-wood and marquetry furniture. The style remained fashionable until about 1725.

  • Mirror



    Antoine Monnoyer
    1710-1720
    Mirrored glass, painted in oils, with stained wood frame
    Museum no. W.36:1 to 3-1934

  • Settee



    Unknown maker
    1690-1700
    Walnut legs and beech frame; upholstery in embroidery of wool and silk, the back and sides covered in glazed wool, the cushions lined with kid skin
    Museum no. W.15:1 to 3-1945

  • Design



    Jean Tijou (designer)
    Michael Vandergucht (engraver)
    1693
    Engraving, ink on paper
    Museum no. 25082:9

  • Cabinet



    John Byfield
    About 1700
    Marquetry of walnut, burr walnut, sycamore, other woods and ivory, with some staining, on a pine and oak carcase, with brass fittings
    Museum no. W.136:1 to 46-1928

  • Bracket Clock



    John Martin
    About 1695
    Marquetry of sycamore, with walnut, holly, boxwood and purpleheart, some stained by scorching, with gilt-bronze mounts
    Museum no. W.61:1, 2-1926

  • Tray



    Benjamin Pyne
    1698-1699
    Silver gilt, chased and engraved
    Museum no. M.77-1947

  • Proper Ornaments to be Engraved on Plate



    Design
    Charles de Moelder
    1694
    Engraving and stipple engraving, ink on paper
    Museum no. E.386-1926

  • The Melville Bed



    Marot
    About 1700
    Bedstock of oak; tester of pine; hangings of crimson Italian velvet with ivory Chinese silk linings, embroidered with crimson braid and fringe; some textile elements stiffened with linen; bed ticking of linen
    Museum no. W.35:1 to 61-1949

  • Key



    Bickford family
    About 1700
    Steel, pierced, chiselled and engraved
    Museum no. M.201-1912

  • Table



    James Moore
    About 1714
    Pine frame and oak top, carved, gessoed and gilded
    Museum no. W.30-1947

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