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Rococo Desks

ROCOCO STYLE

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.

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Style: Rococo
19th c. Swedish Rococo Painted Fall Front Desk
Located in Wichita, KS
A 19th century Swedish fall-front bureau in the Rococo style wearing beautiful black paint, circa 1800. One large drawer with key, scalloped apron, and slender cabriolet legs. There ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Rococo Desk Louis XV Style
Located in Buxton, GB
This Rococo-style writing desk was crafted in the 1950s, featuring a stunning rosewood finish and intricate carvings that exude the elegance of the Louis XV style. The antique desk b...
Category

20th Century French Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk
Located in Essex, MA
With curved lid opening to a fitted interior with three drawers below and bracket feet. Beautifully crafted in a bombe form. Much time and skill went into making this piece. Sometime...
Category

1740s Dutch Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut

French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
French porcelain and gilt bronze mounted writing desk French, 19th Century Height 116cm, width 91cm, depth 51cm This stunning bonheur du jour was made in France during the 19th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Rococo 18th Century Yew and Elm Bureau Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk circa 1750. Stunning Swedish rococo period bombe shaped bureau.   Beautifully made from yew wood and elm, using various techniques such...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Elm, Yew

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic late 19th century Italian secretaire cabinet or bookcase made in the Venetian Rococo taste. Crafted from walnut the two-part case features a speckled lacquer finish centered by a cartouche shaped window with a painted bust by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The bureau cabinet has a bombe shaped dresser base with a drop front diminutive writing table. The drop front has two storage drawers and a small pigeon hole storage above. Below the desk are two small drawers and two large storage drawers with rocaille patinated brass pulls. The dresser is supported by small cabriole legs with scrolled feet. The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken. The painting is painted on board titled "Venezia" and signed by Yeager with a fictitious date of 1725. The door opens to a three-shelf bookcase. The case is topped with a pediment having a cartouche shaped window and corniced top. The entire secretary is speckled with a mustard yellow tone over a taupe background. This whimsical cabinet...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Bureau Desk
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Bureau desk with fine gilt ormolu mounts and veneers in king wood, satinwood and rosewood. The ornate marquetry surface adorned with gilt bronze ormolu. Fr...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Inlaid Wood Lombard Trumeau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Lombard trumeau from the mid-20th century. Moved and rounded furniture in Rococo style richly inlaid in walnut, burl, maple, beech and fruitwood. Double body trumeau equipped with th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

Bureau Bookcase Oak German Serpentine Front Original Brassware Working Locks
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A large, museum quality, 18th century, German, oak bureau bookcase with a serpentine front, original brassware and working locks As fine an example of this model of German cabinet f...
Category

1740s German Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Oak

Vintage Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Italian writing table / desk with Rococo Revival handicarved solid wood frame accented by a scalloped apron and gilt embossed l...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

18th Century Scandanvian Rococo Giltwood and Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 18th Century Rococo carved giltwood and Walnut bureau bookcase, having wonderful scrolling foliate and plume decoration to the cornice, a single mirror door with gi...
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Portuguese Colonial Brazilian Solid Rosewood Slant Lid Writing Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Made in Brazil and purchased as an antique in Rio De Janeiro in the 1950s. With slant lid top opening to a finely fitted compartment with drawers and cubbys and hidden compartments o...
Category

1760s Brazilian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Rococo black lacquered desk with gilt-tooled red leather top, carved and gilded decorations with three shaped frieze drawers and cabriole...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Related Items
19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century miniature secretaire cabinet made from Oakwood. Decorative object, can be used as jewelry/letter box. Originates Netherlands, dating, circa 1800
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique English Adams Decorated Satinwood Drop-Front Desk, 18th-19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Adam decorated drop-front desk offers satinwood construction with slant front having neoclassical reserve of woman and cherub in co...
Category

19th Century English Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Bureau Having Well Figured Fall Flap Above Four Long Drawers With Original Water Gilt Handles Raised On Original Bracket Feet (Typical of the lat...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Desk French Style Writing Desk, Black Lacquer with Grey Leather Writing Surface
Located in Toronto, CA
We present a beautifully finished desk made in Italy by Selva in cherry wood, with a leather writing surface. This item has been recently re-stained by our expert team in a black lac...
Category

20th Century Italian Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Antique Miniature German Boule Biedermeier Dollhouse Secretary Desk, 1860-1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German wooden Boule Secretary Desk with fine golden transfers, dated about 1860s to 1890s. Made by one of the famous German toy...
Category

1890s German Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
A stunning, petite French slant-top desk or "bureau de pente" in the Louis XV style, turquoise and gold polychromed with Chinoiserie detailing, and red under-body. Desk opens to rev...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
H 37.75 in W 30 in D 15.5 in
Antique Diminutive Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Renaissance Revival diminutive cylinder desk offers walnut and burl construction with upper case having carved cartouche over double glass door bookcase...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Extraordinary Colorful Rococo Style Painted Secretary Cabinet with Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom painted in a striking blue exterior with an electric and contrasting green interior and having a strong form, ornate gilt hinges and pulls, escutcheons (with keys) and Top fin...
Category

1940s Vintage Rococo Desks

Materials

Metal

Antique English Miniature Salesman Sample Bureau Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A handsome and scarce English Arts & Crafts period miniature oak bureau from the early 20th century. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England over a century ago, exceptionally executed, t...
Category

Early 20th Century English Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass

French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Early 20th C. Lady's Desk. Mahogany. Slant Lid Embellished With Mother-Of-Pearl And Colored Wood Inlay In Foliate Design. Curbside to NYC/Philly $300
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Rococo Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany

French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk
French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk
H 36 in W 28.75 in D 16 in
French Louis XV Style Bureau Desk
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Bureau desk with fine gilt ormolu mounts and veneers in king wood, satinwood and rosewood. The ornate marquetry surface adorned with gilt bronze ormolu. Fr...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Style Bureau Desk
French Louis XV Style Bureau Desk
H 35.83 in W 28.75 in D 17.33 in
19th Century French Mahogany Writing Desk with Folding Front Part
Located in Sofia, BG
French mahogany writing desk with folding front part and hidden drawers in the upper part. There are also three big drawers in the lower p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Previously Available Items
Rococo-Style Inlaid Slant Front Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rococo-style slant front desk with Dutch marquetry floral panels, two interior drawers and sliding hidden compartment, and on legs with figural bronze mounts. Condition consistent wi...
Category

19th Century European Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

Rococo-Style Inlaid Slant Front Desk
Rococo-Style Inlaid Slant Front Desk
H 37.5 in W 28.5 in D 17 in
Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Rococo black lacquered desk with gilt-tooled red leather top, carved and gilded decorations with three shaped frieze drawers and cabriole...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
H 30.25 in W 62.5 in D 31 in
French Rococo Style Ladies Desk
Located in Chelmsford, GB
Fine quality late 19th century French Rococo red walnut Writing table / Desk The desk has quality carved cabriole legs with ornate brass ormolu handles. All drawers slide nice and...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut

French Rococo Style Ladies Desk
French Rococo Style Ladies Desk
H 30.32 in W 40.95 in D 22.84 in
Antique Dutch Early 19th Century Walnut Marquetry Cylinder Desk / Bureau 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A Fine & exceptional antique early 19th century Dutch Rococco marquetry inlaid cylinder bureau/desk, Circa 1820. The desk is sumptuously and profusely inlaid with fruitwood marquetr...
Category

1820s Dutch Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

19th Century Northern Italian Rococo Writing Desk Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificent Italian Rococo pewter inlaid fruitwood three piece writing desk with beautiful rich patina. Born in Northern Italy in the first half of the 19th century, exquisite hand-crafted construction, featuring fine quality craftsmanship, materials and detailing throughout. The exceptionally executed, impressive large scale antique writing desk surmounted by serpentine upper portion fitted with nine drawers and a locking cabinet with original key included; the mid-portion with shaped fall-front writing surface panel concealing five short shelve pigeonhole cubbies, flanked on each side by deep drawers, and resting atop four large chest drawers; the façade with highly attractive richly figured burled veneer outlined with fine pewter inlay and contrasting exotic woods inlays; standing on carved walnut cabriole legs joined by curved X-shaped cross stretcher. Marks to verso: A.U. 17, A.U. 20 Provenance: Skinner, Boston, Massachusetts; European Furniture and Decorative Arts catalog, October 5, 2013, lot 784. Property from the Estates of Ramon Osuna (1937-2019) and Robert Lennon (1933-2021), Washington, D.C. Longtime Washington-area art dealers, Mr. Osuna was born in Havana and came to the Washington area soon after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. He initially made his name as a dealer in contemporary art but gradually expanded into the Old Masters. With his longtime friend and partner Lennon, he owned galleries in Washington for many years and, at his death, also had Osuna Art...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Pewter

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish secretary with library from the Rococo period, circa 1760. The upper section has two shaped shelves and a multitude of small drawers. The slant front opens to reveal six wa...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mid-Century Hand Painted Venetian Bombay Form Secretary
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1960s hand painted Venetian bombay form secretary. It is a wonderful shade of green with Italian pastoral scenes throughout. It is in very good condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Venetian Rococo Style Painted Desk
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century Venetian Rococo style desk Measures: 73" H, 26" W, 16" D.  
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Swedish Fall Front Bureau with Small Interior Compartments
Located in London, GB
Late Circa 18th century Swedish fall front bureau. The interior comprises of small drawers and compartments over three long deep drawers. The bureau comes in one piece and features d...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Oak

English Rococo Painted Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant English Rococo black painted desk with antiqued dark leather inlaid writing surface and a profusion of hand painted gilt floral detail on apron ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

English Rococo Painted Desk
English Rococo Painted Desk
H 30 in W 54 in D 28.5 in
Late 19th Century Highly Carved Gilt Venetian Drop Front Desk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous desk with fantastic carvings, including a full body cherub dragons roaring lion drawer pulls and what possibly could be the family crest on the dr...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century Italian Carved Walnut Leather Top Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful 1930s Italian carved walnut desk with an embossed red leather top. It breaks down into pieces for ease with regard to shipping. It is carved identically on both s...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Rococo desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rococo desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rococo desks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,520 and tops out at $8,590 while the average work can sell for $6,601.

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