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.
A petite Portugese carved walnut foot stool in the Rococo taste. Late 18th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The stool is distinguished by a shaped apron, cabriole legs with floral-carved knees ending in scrolled feet, and the dramatic leopard print upholstery. Perfect for resting your fe...
Upholstery, Walnut
Napoleon III Style Carved Giltwood Rope-Twist Stool; Manner of A.M.E. Fournier
Located in San Francisco, CA
the circular tabouret with new decking above a rope-twist giltwood frame with cabriole supports with knotted feet all joined by an x-form stretcher centering a robust central knot; f...
Wood
1930’s French Rococo Louis XV Style Lacquered Green Vanity Stool
Located in Charleston, SC
1930’s French Rococo Louis XV Style Lacquered Green Vanity Stool A beautiful 1930’s vanity stool that has been lacquered in “Danish Lawn” by Farrow and Ba...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Large Victorian Rococo Revival Adjustable Piano Stool
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Large Victorian Rococo Revival Adjustable Piano Stool Giltwood, with Heavy-Duty Mechanical Mechanism, Circa 1860–1880 England A substantial and finely made Victorian adjustable pia...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Early 19th Century Rococo Style Gilt Pliants or Stools
Located in Troy, NY
Pair of Italian Early 19th Century Rococo Style Gilt Pliants or Stools. The folding benches with X-form carved and gilt wood bases, fabric tops and cushions.
Walnut
Swedish 19th Century Rococo Style Painted Upholstered Stool with Carved Shells
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style painted wood stool from the 19th century, with carved shells and newer upholstery. Created in Sweden during the 19th century, this painted stools features a sq...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Swedish Rococo Style Carved Painted Upholstered Stools, circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Rococo style painted stools from the late 19th century with richly carved décor, cabriole legs and newly upholstered seats. Each of this pair of Scandinavian Rococo...
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Rocco Style Hand Carved Mahogany Stool
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Early 19th century Rocco style hand carved mahogany stool with re-upholstered top.
Mahogany
$6,559
Louis XV Stool
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
This Louis XV Stool is a stunning example of early 18th-century French craftsmanship, dating back to the 1710s-1730s. It is a historical piece that embodies the elegance and luxury of the Louis XV period. The stool features a carved and gilded wooden frame, adorned with intricate trellis, foliage, and shell motifs, showcasing the exquisite detailing characteristic of French Rococo design. Its arched feet further enhance its graceful silhouette. Upholstered in Karun Thakar for Soane fabric...
Fabric, Wood
18th century, Italian Pair of Rococo Lacquered and Gilt Wood Stools
Located in IT
18th century, Italian Pair of Rococo Lacquered and Gilt Wood Stools This refined pair of stools was crafted in Turin during the Barocchetto period (Rococo), around the mid-18th cent...
Wood
$2,403
Regency Rosewood X Stool
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A large late Regency / Early Victorian rosewood X stool of a good original colour and patina: Rococo design with finely carved c-scrolls and handsome turned a...
Rosewood
The Country House Boudoir Stool
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A finely carved gilt wood stool with carved and shaped rails, central foliate sprays on carved cabriole design legs leaf carving to the knees all upon scrolled toes. To be upholstere...
Giltwood
Pair of 1750s Italian Piedmontese Rococo Blue-Painted and Parcel-Gilt Stools
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Italian Piedmontese Rococo period mid-18th century painted and parcel-gilt stools from the collection of designer Gary Tisdale-Woods, with cabriole legs and upholstery. Bor...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Italian Rococo Square Stools With Faux Sheepskin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of mid-century modern Italian Rococo stools with faux sheepskin seats. Base is made of wood painted in a light blue with gold trim with gilt ...
Sheepskin, Wood
Early 19th Century Giltwood Stool
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Large Early 19th Century Giltwood Stool. The stool is in very good original condition, ready for reupholstering. The top cover is fraying and will need replacing, if required for e...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Rococo Style, 1860s Walnut Stools with X-Form Cross Stretcher
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Rococo style walnut stools from the mid-19th century, with cabriole legs, Saint-Andrew cross stretcher and new upholstery. Each of this pair of Italian Rococo style...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,000 / set
Pair of Rococo Stools
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Rococo stools crafted in Stockholm. Their elegant design stands out on its own, without the need for decorative carvings. The seats are removable for convenience.
Wood
Pair of Midcentury French Rococo Style Oak Stools with Scalloped Aprons
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Rococo style oak stools from the Midcentury period, with scraped back finish, scalloped aprons, cabriole legs and new custom linen upholstery. Imbued with the charm ...
Upholstery, Oak
$240Sale Price|20% Off
H 11 in W 13.5 in D 9 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Needlepoint Stool Foot Rest Ottoman
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Louis XV stool, foot rest or ottoman. Made of walnut featuring serpentine form with carved floral, scalloped, and acanthus accents, and a Neoclassical floral rose and ...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of 18th Century Late Gustavian Stools
Located in Ballard, CA
Pair of late Gustavian X-framed stools with lion feet, circa 1770. Original paint.unique pair of Gustavian stools, made in Sweden circa 1770. ...
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
19th Century Stool Original Paint
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A 19th century mountain stool with the original faded cream paint remains. As easthetic pleasing as functional thing to have in your home.
Elm
Gustavian Antique, Round Stool, Swedish Cabinetmaker, Late 18th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Such a beautiful rare and original gustavian stool, made in giltwood with horsehair upholstered seat. Made in by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the late 18th century. A great vintage o...
Giltwood
$6,801 / item
H 20.48 in W 23.63 in D 18.51 in
Macassar Ebony Piano Bench, Upholstered Stool with Adjustable Height
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Introducing the world’s first Beautiful Piano Bench. Faced with the challenge of crafting an aesthetically stunning seat to complement the genuinely designed pianos by Poul Henningsen, we set out to create a piece that: -has a striking and beautiful form -uses top quality materials -functions beautifully and incorporates an adjustable seat -suits both a traditional and a design-case instrument Our bench is light in appearance, yet strong; soft and supple, yet supportive. The high-quality mechanism of the adjustable-height seat is housed within a completely finished, solid wood case. Our Piano Bench is highly customizable making it easy to match it to any interior or piano. The materials used are the same as for our PH Pianos...
Aluminum
Late 18th Century English Oak Joint Stool
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century George III period oak joint stool from England. The top is made from a single board and has a beveled edge. This follows down to carved decorated aprons on the fr...
Oak
Pair of Antique Walnut Foot Stools
Located in London, GB
A beautiful pair of antique walnut foot stools. They were made in England, and date from around the 1930’s. The quality is superb, the solid walnut frames have beautiful cabriole sh...
Cotton, Walnut
Antique Victorian Duet Piano Stool / Bench
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very well made antique Victorian duet piano stool / bench. This was made in England, it dates from the 1880-1900 period. The quality is excellent this has a gorgeous...
Cotton, Wood
17th Century Style Joint Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood ‘Joynt’ stool, with a serpentine apron on pegged splay legs joined by a stretcher. The original 17th century. Dimensions: 22" W x 12" D x 18" H.
Wood
$1,400
H 18.5 in W 25.5 in D 20 in
Mid 19th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany and Leather Upholstered Stool
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A mid-19th C. English Chippendale style carved mahogany stool with leather-upholstered seat above cabriole legs. The legs are detailed with shell-carved knees and terminate in ball a...
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
$2,425
H 28 in W 20 in D 22 in
Julia Gray New York Louis XV Style Carved Wood Swivel Vanity Stool Chair
By Julia Gray
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Fabulous, handmade vanity chair by Julia Gray. Unsigned, purchased from an estate with all matching Julia Gray pieces.
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Danish Rococo Style Stools in Birch, 1870s. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Rococo Style Stools in Birch, 1870s. Set of 2. Lovely pair of matching stools made in Denmark in the late half of the 19th century. Made from from solid flame birch ...
Birch
Early 18th Century Italian Carved, Painted & Gilt Fireside Stool
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 18th century Italian carved, painted & gilt fireside stool. Raised on later 18th or 19th century hoof feet. Superb old layers of paint, gilding & fabric history (stripped to mu...
Muslin, Wood, Paint
Pair Victorian Carved Walnut Foot stools
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair Victorian Carved Foot stools Walnut Frame , Each with Squat carved Cabriole shaped legs Recently upholstered with Cream Ottoman Pattern Material Re...
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage iron vanity stool with tasseled seat pillow, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage painted, in muted teal toned verdigris, iron vanity bench with baroque ivory tasseled seat pillow, 20th century. Dare I say baroque, rococo, ...
Iron
Italian Trompe L'Oeil Carved Wood Rococo Style Vanity/Piano Stool
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a fabulous three legged wooden stool with a wonderful elaborately carved base and faux cushion with piping and tassels on the top. The base is an interesting steel blue with ...
Wood, Paint
Venetian Rococo Carved Walnut Piano Stool
Located in Astoria, NY
Venetian Rococo carved walnut wood adjustable swivel music stool having a shell-shaped seat above three cabriole legs ending with paw feet joined by stretchers, circa late nineteenth...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Italian Inlaid Walnut Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare pair of early 19th century Italian burl walnut stools designed in the style of Rococo. Recent upholstery of the seat can be seen in a blue and cream cut-velvet damask embellis...
Upholstery, Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
Italian Wicker Cane Top Walnut Wood Footstool
Located in New York, NY
An Italian cane top wood stool / footstool with carving detail and cabriole leg in the Rococo style, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. Piece was made for...
Cane, Wood, Wicker, Walnut
Pair 19th Century Gilt Stools
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair Rococo style giltwood tabourets in rectangular form with foliate carving throughout, raised on cabriole legs terminating on scrolled feet over intricate bow aprons. These stools...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Sold
H 18.5 in W 16.5 in D 14 in
Pair of Italian Rococo Style 19th Century Walnut Stools with Cabriole Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Rococo style walnut stools from the 19th century, with new linen upholstery, carved aprons and cabriole legs. Created in Italy during the 19th century, each of this...
Upholstery, Walnut
Elegant Large Early 19th Century Mahogany Country House Stool
Located in Benington, Herts
An elegant early 19th century mahogany on a beechwood framed stool of country house proportions upholstered in a damask. English circa 1830 This wonderfully drawn stool...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Exceptional 18th Century Swedish Rococo Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional pair of 18th century Rococo stools in their original finish, great proportions and carvings, Stockholm, Sweden, Signed & Dated - J: 20 May 1774. Provenance: Lars Sjöbe...
Wood