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.
Classical Style Monumental Octagonal Fountain in Carved Stone with Pool
Located in Marbella, ES
An imposing octagonal fountain carved from warm brown natural stone, featuring an elegant classic design and an ornate top. Its solid structure and ba...
Stone
Antique 19th Century Marble Fountain with Dolphins and Putto
Located in London, GB
An antique marble fountain in the Baroque style, with a tripartite dolphin base each with a water spout in their mouths, their tails supporting the generous lobed bowl, which is topp...
Marble
Bronze Finish Boy & Girl Water Fountain Statue
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage boy and girl water fountain statue. Boy & girl water fountain statue. Made out of resin and fiberglass materiel with bronze finish. Some...
Resin
18th Century Rococo Italian Pewter Lavabo with Dolphin Motif on Wooden Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian period Rococo late 18th century lavabo with dolphin motif, pewter sink and reservoir, mounted on a wooden stand. This Italian lavabo features an...
Pewter
$14,800
H 54.5 in W 28 in D 31 in
American Cast Bronze Garden Fountain with Figural Boy Holding Koi Fish. C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American cast bronze garden fountain with standing figural boy holding Koi fish on a two-tiered shell form scrolled base with turtle at his feet, Late 19th century.
Bronze, Copper
Large Classical Italian Bronze Bird Fountain Statue
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning large Italian bronze water fountain Classical look complemented by the gorgeous verdis gris patina Love the birds depicted drinking f...
Bronze
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic me...
Marble
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Italian Classical Carved Sink Basin This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble with added carved relief detail, these designs have no...
Marble
$10,500
H 54 in W 23.75 in D 18 in
Italian Bronze Garden Statue or Fountain of Pan Playing Flute, Early 20th C
Located in St. Louis, MO
Antique Italian bronze & copper garden statue or sculpture of pan playing flute while standing on a conch shell on an oval plinth. From an estate with ...
Bronze, Copper
$6,500
H 29 in W 65 in D 28 in
French Classical Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Classical Style Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs. Item features water shooting from genitals into lar...
Bronze
$912Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 11.82 in D 7.09 in
French Faience Wall Fountain, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Wall fountain set: original water tank and soap dish and wooden support, lavabo. France, mid-19th century Unseal plant holder Very good condition Shipping: 86 x 18 x 30 cm, 7 kg.
Faience, Chestnut
$64,000
H 29.25 in W 63 in D 23.5 in
19th Century Antique Marble Fountain Basin with Mythological Carvings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular fountain basin or in the style of the late Hellenistic period with minor repairs. This garden ornament features impressive mythological carvings of the art mus...
Marble
$2,900
H 11 in W 30.75 in D 26.25 in
18th Century Carved Limestone Corner Sink or Fountain Basin from Apt, France
Located in Dallas, TX
This stone piece was once the basin for a corner fountain or used as corner sink on a property in the rugged hills of Provence, France. It features a thick...
Stone, Limestone
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This period Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic merit easily f...
Marble
$62,448Sale Price|20% Off
H 129.93 in Dm 157.49 in
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
This monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed a three levels. The first tiered with three amazing dolphin statues, the others adorned with lion heads ending with a pu...
Limestone
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic me...
Marble
Sold
H 71.66 in Dm 125.99 in
Antique 19th Century Sculpted Decorative Garden Fountain in Marble and Limestone
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Antique 19th century sculpted decorative garden fountain. The fount is modelled as a young boy with a large decorative fish standing in a circula...
Limestone, Marble
Murano Glass Water Fountain
Located in New Orleans, LA
An ornate and truly magnificent example of a large Venetian glass, this Murano glass fountain is an incredible rarity. Only the most skilled of craftsmen could have created such a ma...
Murano Glass
French Zinc Rococo Style Lavabo Basin or Sink
Located in Atlanta, GA
in the form of a shell and having a small drain hole and mounting bracket on the reverse
Italian Three-Piece Lavabo Wall Fountain
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rococo style Italian porcelain three piece lavabo hanging wall fountain mounted to a carved shaped base with a decorative edge. Top cistern has brass metal spigot and both pieces fea...
Antique French Copper Wall Fountain
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Copper Wall Fountain or as French call it Lavabo. Circa 1780s. Please note that the prices on our website are updated far more f...
Garden Shell Form Wall Fountain
Located in NYC, NY
A highly decorated garden wall fountain or sink compromised of a reservoir over a shell sink. Traditionally found in gardens to wash ones hands they are al...
Paint