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.
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Ornate Cast Iron Fire Basket in Rococo Style
Located in Miami, FL
A completely original 19th century French polished cast iron fire basket grate in the Rococo style. A shaped high back complete with its original fire stone, with a four bar serpen...
Iron
$2,722
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 11.82 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Cast Iron and Brass Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A fine antique Victorian cast iron and brass fire basket, a tall arch fireback encompassing a rainbow panel, supported by scalloped side panels connect...
Iron
19th Century Victorian Fire Basket Grate in the Rococo Style
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A completely original 19th century Victorian polished cast iron and mounted polished brass fire basket grate in the Rococo style. A shaped high back ...
Brass, Iron
$2,493
H 29.34 in W 23.04 in D 11.42 in
20th Century Georgian Style Cast Iron Rococo Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A period 20th century cast iron fire grate in the ornate 18th century English Georgian Rococo style of Thomas Chippendale. The tall "C" scrolled densely hatched cast iron back compli...
Iron
$918Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 18.5 in D 10.75 in
19th Century Cast Iron & Brass Fireplace Basket Grate
Located in London, GB
19th century cast iron & brass fireplace basket grate. French Styled original victorian free standing fire basket & grate. This Typic...
Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
Tall Period Cast Iron Rococo Style Fire Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A period cast iron Rococo style fire grate in the ornate 18th century English Rococo manner of Thomas Chippendale. The tall "C" scrolled densel...
Iron
$2,546
H 24 in W 18.75 in D 11 in
Small 19th Century Cast Iron Fire Basket, Elegant with Brass Decoration
Located in London, GB
A small 19th century cast iron fire basket, with elegant brass decoration English, C.1890. Depth: 11” – 28cm External Height: 24” – 61cm External Width: 18 ¾ ” – 46cm.
Brass
Ornate 19th Century French Cast Iron Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An ornate 19th century French cast iron fireplace. The large shell to centre with leafwork and scrolls to either side, the legs draped with festoons of foliage and fruit with intrica...
Iron
19th Century Victorian Cast Iron Griffin Fire Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A small 19th century Victorian cast iron fire grate, with a pair of scrolled based griffins hosting the 'Swans Nest' shaped fire grate. The significance of the mythological Griffin ...
Iron
$15,362Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.67 in W 45.28 in D 25.79 in
Huge Majestic 19th Century Victorian Cast Iron Gothic Revival Fire Grate-Basket
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A very large and Majestic ornately detailed antique 19th century Victorian cast iron fire grate in the Gothic-Revival manner. The large Doric arched backplate centred with an Heraldic Plaque...
Iron
19th Century Rococo Style Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
An English Rococo style grate in brass and steel, with male and female front support figures intricately cast in detail. Flanking a geometric pierced fret. The bowed front bars with ...
Brass
19th Century Manner Cast Iron Fire Grate.
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A charming 19th Century manner cast iron fire grate basket. A high shaped back with curved sides, the four barred fire front, with shaped legs adorned with brass finials. This piece...
Iron
$5,130Sale Price|50% Off
H 28 in W 37.25 in D 13.75 in
19th Century Ornate English Gothic Revival Cast Iron Fireplace Basket Grate
Located in London, GB
The finest example of Gothic Revival. This English cast iron fireplace basket - grate is ornately detailed with arched back-plate centred with pair of proudly standing polished andirons showing fine brass detailing. A very rare and important piece of its period. English made, mid-19th century, circa 1830-1850. Measures: Front width 37 3/4" 96 cm Back width 20 1/4" 51.5 cm Back height 28" 71 cm Andiron dogs...
Iron, Wrought Iron
A Finely Carved Italian Sienna and Cararra Marble Urn, 18th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A highly decorative and finely carved Sienna and Cararra marble urn in two sections, Italian 18th century Height: 85 cm Diameter: 73 cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection ac...
Marble
Set of Four Vintage Lead Scallop Shells for the Garden, Patio, Terrace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Garden items made from lead were ideal as they do well in most climates and achieve a favorable patina. This set of four are scallop shells and well modeled. I imagine they could be ...
Lead
Pair of French Garden Ornaments, circa 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French Rococo style garden urn ornaments with floral garland decoration and ornate fruit carved tops. This pair is beautiful decor for your garden or patio area but can also ...
Cement
19th Century Zinc Church Organ Pipes
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
These original nineteenth century hand-painted items were reclaimed from a chapel in Shrewsbury. Each of the pipes have been finely hand-painted with Neo-Gothic designs in red and go...
Zinc
19th Century Zinc Church Organ Pipes
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
These original 19th century hand-painted items were reclaimed from a chapel in Shrewsbury. Each of the pipes have been finely hand-painted with Neo-Gothic designs in red and gold. Se...
French Garden Ornaments of Fruit Baskets, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1940s French cement urns filled with fruit. Great age and wear from years of use.
Cement
Pair of Hand-Carved Grotto Style Plant Stands
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of Grotto Fern stands with shell and Dolphin carving.
Wood, Paint
Pair of Large Cast Stone French Garden Finials
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a pair of unique garden ornaments in the form of French Cassolettes. Cassolettes were traditionally French made in the 17th-19th century out of marbles and bronze. This pair ...
Cast Stone
Pair of Vintage Carved Tuffa Stone Flower and Fruit Baskets
Located in Hudson, NY
This vintage pair of carved tuffa stone baskets was made circa 1930. Carved in deep relief representing flowers and fruit piled in a decorative compote giving the impression of natur...
Stone
Large Pair of 18th Century Rococo Gilt Carved Palm Trees
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of eighteenth century Northern Italian left and right gilt carved palm trees with later carved bases.
Marble, Gold Leaf
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
Four Seasons Garden Ornaments
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four concrete garden puttis, each representing one of the four seasons.
Concrete