Rococo Antiquities
Rococo was an aesthetic movement in the fine and decorative arts in the 18th century that found its inspiration in nature and fostered an overall lightness and delicacy of form, construction and ornament in interior design. Rococo furniture, while greatly influenced by trends in Italy and Germany, is often called Louis XV style — the movement having reached its best expression during that sybaritic French king’s reign.
The term “rococo” is thought to be a portmanteau of the French words rocaille and coquilles — “rock” and “shells” — organic motifs frequently used in architecture and design of the style.
When it comes to authentic Rococo furniture's characteristics, it is above all sensuous and social. The furniture of earlier eras in Europe had been heavy in every sense; the Rococo period saw the appearance of light-framed upholstered armchairs, side chairs and occasional tables that could easily be moved to form conversational circles.
The signal detail of Rococo furniture design is the gently curved cabriole, or S-shaped chair-, table-, and cabinet-leg. It imitates the bend of a tree limb or a flower stem. In a further reference to nature, furnishings were often asymmetrical and painted white, or in soft, pastel shades. Rococo has become a timeless style, and as the furniture pieces presented on 1stDibs demonstrate, its playful, sculptural forms can provide visual excitement to contemporary, clean-lined spaces.
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
19th Century French Antique Rococo Antiquities
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Carrara Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Silver Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Silver Plate, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Cut Glass
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Crystal, Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Wrought Iron
18th Century European Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wrought Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Antiquities
Bronze
Early 19th Century Antique Rococo Antiquities
Other
Early 20th Century American Rococo Antiquities
Brass
Early 20th Century Rococo Antiquities
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Rococo Antiquities
Leather