Rococo Shelves
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.
1890s French Antique Rococo Shelves
Brass
20th Century French Rococo Shelves
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Rococo Shelves
Wood
Late 20th Century American Rococo Shelves
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century French Rococo Shelves
Brass, Wrought Iron
1980s English Vintage Rococo Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century English Rococo Shelves
Wood, Bamboo
20th Century American Rococo Shelves
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Rococo Shelves
Bamboo, Rattan, Hardwood
20th Century English Rococo Shelves
Glass, Mahogany, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century French Rococo Shelves
Brass, Wrought Iron, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Rococo Shelves
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Shelves
Brass, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Shelves
Wood, Plaster, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Rococo Shelves
Composition
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Shelves
Plaster, Giltwood, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Shelves
Giltwood
20th Century Italian Rococo Shelves
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Shelves
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Shelves
Pine
1960s American Vintage Rococo Shelves
Synthetic, Glass
20th Century Spanish Rococo Shelves
Giltwood
Mid-18th Century German Antique Rococo Shelves
Pine