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.
Fine Pair of French Rococo Style Ormolu Chenets, circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine Pair of French Rococo style Ormolu Chenets, circa 1900. Each Chenet having pierced Rocaille form. Sometimes beauty needs few words. The Chenets m...
Metal
18th Century French Antique Lock and Key Mounted on Walnut Wood
Located in Austin, TX
Lock and key, French, from the main entry door of an 18th century mansion in Provence. Newly mounted on walnut wood. With key height: 9.375".
Metal
Antique Italian Hand Painted Carved Wood and Gesso Pedestal with Marble Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Done in the Rococo style and dating from the mid-19th century, this substantial hand carved and painted gesso over wood pedestal presents with a ball motif decoration cascading down ...
Wood
Antique French Gilt Metal Fire Screen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique French gilt metal fire screen, dating from around the 1900-1920 period. It is of extremely fine quality, with beautiful details throughout. The gilt metal frame ...
Metal
A Pair of Large French Rococo Ormolu Curtain Curtain Tie Backs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large French Rococo Ormalu Curtain Curtain Tie Backs The Tie Backs or Hooks are solid brass, they have flower decoration and are made in brass Ormolu The brackets ha...
Brass
$777Sale Price|44% Off
Gilded 19th Century Wooden Urn-Shaped Rococo Table Lamp
Located in Copenhagen, K
This 19th century Rococo-style, gilded and painted in blue and red table lamp, featuring an decorative urn shaped body with side handles carved in wood. The lamp is raised on a squar...
Wood
Unique 18th Century Rococo Style Marble Antique Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
A masterpiece in the collection. This magnificent French fireplace in the elegant Rococo style is characterized by its size and appearance. The antique fireplace comes from the cente...
Marble
19th Century French Bronze Fireplace Dogs with Fender in Rococo Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Late 19th century French fireplace dogs set with adjustable fender hand made in bronze in Rococo style.
Bronze
A Pair of French Rococo Ormolu Curtain Curtain Tie Backs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Rococo Ormolu Curtain Curtain Tie Backs The Tie Backs or Hooks are solid brass, they have shell decoration and are made in brass Ormo...
Ormolu
Rare Pair of 19th Century Louis XV Seravezza Marble Chimneypieces
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of very fine Louis XV Rococo marble fireplaces in a beautifully veined seravezza marble. On each, the serpentine shelf is mounted o...
Marble
Pair of Brackets in Carved and Gilded Wood, Rococo, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of brackets with a curved lower profile and a polygonal section decorated on their fronts with raised pebbles and vegetal motifs and engraved sca...
Wood
French Brass Firescreen with Decorative Rococo Frame & Legs
Located in London, GB
A French brass firescreen with decorative Rococo frame and legs. The fine black mesh behind adorned with brass embellishment with tied ribbon, torch, qui...
Brass
Small 18th Century Louis XV Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A small 18th century Louis XV rouge marble fireplace. The richly moulded and panelled frieze is centred by a simple Rococo cartouche, all supported on panelled jambs. French, late 1...
Marble
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Andirons with Figures, C. 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt and patinated bronze andirons with figures, circa 1890. With iron log holders behind.
Bronze, Iron
German Louis XV 18th Century Rococo Walnut Fireplace Surround and Overmantel
Located in Troy, NY
German Louis XV 18th Century Rococo Walnut Fireplace Surround and Overmantel (can be fitted with a mirror plate or a painting), beautiful carved decoration, warm rich patina. The sep...
Walnut
Fine French Bronze Fireplace Ormolu Fire Place Screen Flower Garland Roccoco
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French bronze fireplace ormolu fire place screen with flowers & garland in the manner of rococo.
Bronze
Antique Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Fire Surround
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An unusual antique Rococo style carved mahogany fire surround, reclaimed from a house in Evesham. Featuring beautiful curves, scrolls and latticework throughout, this early 20th cent...
Mahogany, Wood
Large Antique Louis XV Fireplace in the Rococo Manner
Located in London, GB
A Large Antique Louis XV Fireplace in The Rococo Manner A Large Antique Louis XV Fireplace finely carved in White Carrara marble in the R...
Marble
Louis XV Marble Fire Mantel Circa 1770
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A stunning Louis XV marble fireplace dating back to circa 1770. This antique fire surround is expertly crafted with specimen marbles of Brocatelle di Sienna and Maurine Green, inlai...
Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Marble
Small Italian Carrara and Rosso Levanto Marble Chimneypiece Mantel
Located in London, GB
A petite Italian Carrara and Rosso Levanto marble fireplace. The moulded jambs surmounted by shaped frieze featuring carved classical An...
Marble
Pair of old columns in patinated plaster circa 1880 From an old theater
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Pair of old columns in patinated plaster circa 1900 From an old theater numerous breakages and 1 crack to be restored
Plaster, Wood
Antique Large Carrara Marble Rococo Louis XV Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A fine French Louis XV chimneypiece in a softly mottled Carrara marble, which epitomises the Rococo style. The wide, moulded serpentine shelf rests on the boldly carved console jambs...
Carrara Marble
$6,557 / set
Pair 19th Century French Gilded Fire Screens
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of late 19th century French gilded ormolu Rococo style fire screens, each with elegant scrolling foliate decoration.
Ormolu
Fine Scottish Rococo Statuary Chimneypiece
Located in London, GB
A fine Scottish Rococo statuary marble chimneypiece. The moulded serpentine shelf rests above a dramatic panelled frieze, centred by a rocailled motif, and scrolling foliate decorati...
Statuary Marble
Antique Rococo Style Polished Steel and Brass Fire Basket with Griffins
Located in Ware, GB
A remarkable and fine piece, this antique Victorian reclaimed fire basket is flanked by intricately detailed griffins and ornate motifs throughout,...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Pair of Large French Rococo Brass Andirons or Chenets
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A pair of large French Rococo brass andirons or chenets This is a very large pair of french brass andirons, the ultimate in Chateau Chic Th...
Brass
French Louis XV Style Brass Firescreen with Scrolls and Leaf Form Throughout
Located in London, GB
A French Louis XV style brass firescreen with scrolls and leaf form throughout. The mesh embellished with matching decoration. 19th century. Height: 760 mm 29" Width: 780 mm 30 ¾".
Brass
Quality 18th Century Antique Italian Fireplace in Statuary Marble
Located in London, GB
A fine quality 18th century Italian fireplace in statuary marble. The elegantly shaped jambs with scroll to top, the carved frieze with shell to centre and shaped rectangular motif t...
Statuary Marble