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.
19th Century Travail Par Kossowsk Mantel Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant Antique Clock crafted from a green marble base, adorned with intricate brass floral and foliate accents in the Rococo style. At the center, the clock face features Roman nume...
Marble, Bronze
Monumental 19th Century Giltwood Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual. Have never seen one like this. Most likely had a painting inset, but mirror could be placed inside. Stand alone or hang on wall.
Giltwood
Opulent 18th Century Baroque Reliquary of Blood of Saint St. Francis '15th Cent'
Located in North Miami, FL
Opulent 18th century Baroque carved giltwood reliquary (a container for relics) monstrance with curled scroll design. It houses a first-class relic of the blood of the15th Century sa...
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Marble Corbels - Set of 5
Located in Southall, GB
Set of 5 Assorted 19th Century Marble Corbels: 1 x Large Green verde Antico Cartouche: Height - 31cm / width 33.5cm / Depth - 6cm at thickest part 2 x Apricot / white marble Corbels...
Marble
$2,110Sale Price / set|20% Off
A pair of 18th century Austrian winged cherubs
Located in London, GB
A beautiful pair of 18th century Austrian carved gilt wood angel cherubs with their original hooks to the back .
Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Carved Giltwood Figural Winged Putti Table Lamp
Located in Forney, TX
A fabulous French Empire period giltwood figural candlestick, early 19th century, now professionally electrified and fashioned as a single-light table lamp. Exquisitely hand carve...
Gesso, Giltwood
$1,811Sale Price|40% Off
Bronze Sculpture: "Horse in Torsion" - Camillo Catelli
Located in Manzano, IT
Prestigious bronze sculpture by master Camillo Catelli, a contemporary artist known for his ability to infuse primal energy and plastic dynamism into matter. The work depicts a horse...
Bronze
Two Terracotta Lions with Shields, French, Mid-18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Possibly designs for Chenets.
Terracotta
Pair of 18th Century Native American Tobacco Store Hanging Trade Figures
Located in Nantucket, MA
Extremely rare and very special pair of 18th century native American tobacco store hanging trade figures, hand carved in the half round full length figur...
Wood
Late 19th / Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional wrought iron lamp base. We believe this was probably a custom crafted gas newel post lamp originally. A considerable amount of skilled workmanship went into the iron work with an Art Nouveau design of acorns and oak leaves. The flame glass shade...
Wrought Iron
19th C Ebonised Carved Winged Serpent Gargoyle Table Lamps
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890. 19th c large ebonised carved winged serpent gargoyle table lamps Originally hand carved winged serpent gargoyle wall brackets. Wired...
Hardwood
19th Century Pipe Head
Located in Vosselaar, BE
You just got to love this guy! A wacky looking bearded Indian pipe head. Probably 19th century France. Beautifully carved by a artisan with a sense of humor.
Wood
18th Century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Crèche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...
Linen, Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century Late Ayutthaya Period Siamese Buddha
Located in Peabody, MA
A fine 18th century, late Ayutthaya period Siamese (Thailand) life size standing Buddha temple figure in carved and gilded teak. The base of the figure is a tapered plug fashioned to...
Teak, Paint
Wooden Hand of an Antique Mannequin, Italy, 18 th Century
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Beautiful sculptured hand of a wooden Mannequin, Italy late 18 th Century mounted on a wooden stand, very fine sculptured and good, old Patina of the wood, very beautiful decorati...
Fruitwood
19th Century Painted Metal Horse Head
Located in Austin, TX
Fine metal painted head horse on horseshoe, circa 1890.
Metal
$3,370 / set
H 34 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Candlesticks Table Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Pair of Italian giltwood 19th century candlesticks made into table lamps. Silver gilt over Gesso. This pair of 19th century candlestick lamps has been wired for the US.
Gesso, Wood
Rare Early 19th Century Artist's Mannequin
Located in Greenwich, CT
Early 19th century carved walnut artist's model, unusually carved with full head of curly hair and mustachioed face, the limbs articulated and possessing good rich patination.
Walnut
18th Century Italian Marble Holy Water Stoup
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
18th Century Italian Marble Holy Water Stoup. A wonderful shaped marble water stoup.
Marble
19th Century French Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported ...
Brass
19th Century Tramp Art Crown of Thorns Frame 18"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early tramp art gem, carved by hand from hundreds of small wood pieces locked together into a “crown of thorns” lattice. Circa late 19th century, this frame holds all the irregula...
Wood
18th Century Chopping Board Walnut for Bread or Cheese
Located in Epfach, DE
18th century walnut cutting board for bread and cheese. this unusual cutting board adorns every kitchen and dining table for serving bread and cheese, as well as for cutting cheese. ...
Iron
Wooden 19th Century Polychrome Sculpture Of A Medieval Tower
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century European hand carved and painted sculpture of a medieval tower in wood with its old patina.
Hardwood