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.
Urns Pair Delft Blue and White, 18th Century, Holland
Located in New York, NY
Urns pair of delft blue and white 18th century, Holland. A pair of stunning urns made during the 18th century in Delft, Holland. Glazed pottery in blue and white.
Delft
Ornate Bronze Urn with Lid, Rococo Style, Grape Decor, USA, 2010
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive ornate and large bronze urn having a blackened matte finish with some verdigris coloration. There is a removeable lid topped with acorn finial. Gorgeous grape and leaf d...
Bronze
Hand-Crafted Octagonal Delft Garden Urn, Maker Delft, 1750
By Delft
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Large Delft Garden Urn, of octagonal form with mask handles painted in blue with river landscapes within foliate and leaf borders. A good e...
Delft
$2,800
H 17 in Dm 13 in
Chinese Barrel-Form Brass Urn with Traditional Archaistic Ornamentation and Lid
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Chinese four-legged barrel-form brass urn cast and engraved with archaistic decoration from the 20th century. The gently rounded sides are cast with the dispersed elements of two taotie masks, Archaistic auspicious beasts formed by a pair of stylized and confronted dragons which constitutes the features of this mythical creature, abstractly rendered in low-relief hooked curls. Two bands of kui or passing dragons flank the taotie ornamentation on the belly, all upon an engraved and very finely delineated white leiwen ground symbolizing thunder. Raised on four atlantes with a few anatomical engraved details, the urn possesses a flat circular lid decorated with stylized birds and topped with a phoenix-shaped knob with a ring, a propitious symbol in Chinese art. The white engraved ground nicely contrasting with the dark patina along with the Archaistic traditional low relief decoration echoes Chinese archaic ritual bronzes used in ceremonies or buried in the tombs of the elites for use in the afterlife. This Chinese barrel...
Brass
$1,195Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12 in W 8.25 in D 7.5 in
Pair 19th Century English Regency Cast Iron Lidded Garden Urns Mantel Ornaments
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of antique 19th-Century English Regency Neoclassical style cast iron lidded garden urns or planters with a fabulous aged patina, perfe...
Iron
Large Bronze Garden Urn after a Model at Versailles
By Claude Ballin
Located in Stamford, CT
A substantial bronze garden urn with handles in the form of a bearded men having exceptional patination. After a model from the Palace of Versailles ...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Black Cast Iron Urns
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of black cast iron urns with baluster pillars and unusual cabbage leaf tops sitting on solid tapering squared bases. The...
Iron
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns
By Corneau Freres, Alfred Corneau
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns. Offered is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns with large exaggerated handles. Our French Napoleon III iro...
Iron
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns are ideal for exterior or interior use. Each is a heavy casting that features a splendid neoclassical design inspired by ancient...
Iron
White Fiberglass Urn with Large Handles Grape Vines and Cherubs
Located in Stamford, CT
Amazing new reproduction fiberglass urn cast from a vintage glazed terracotta urn from Italy circa 1960s. Embossed with swags of vine leaves, acanthus, ...
Fiberglass
Pair of 19th Century French Garden Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of lovely classical style French urns. Great as centre piece or console piece. Can be sold individually.
Metal
$840Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 20 in D 12 in
Antique French Cast Iron Garden Urn – Ornate Planter with Aged Patina
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite antique French cast iron garden urn is a remarkable example of 19th-century European craftsmanship, embodying the ornamental richness and architectural grandeur associ...
Iron
Pair of 18th Century Italian Giltwood Urn Ornaments
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful pair of three dimensional detailed 18th century giltwood urn ornaments. Original period pieces, Italy, circa 1750.
Giltwood
Antique French Carved Stone Garden Urn with Dental Trim, 18th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century carved stone French garden urn with large dental trim. This is not cast stone. One corner of the square base is missing.
Stone
Pair of Swedish Cast Iron Blue Tazza Urns circa 1820
Located in Hastings, GB
A matched pair of Swedish Tazza Urns on in a beautifully worn blue paint, with flashes of the older darker blue and red paint showing through in areas. circa 1820. In superb anti...
Iron
Sold
H 72.84 in W 64.18 in D 24.81 in
Amazing and Rare Large Carved Oratory, Portugal, Late 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing and Rare Large carved oratory Portugal, 17th Century in richly carved and relief wood with polychrome and gilt decoration with volutes, shell patterns and plant motifs, interior with radiant rays...
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Carved White Marble Garden Urns, Italy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two Italian late 18th century Rococo hand carved white marble garden urns A rare pair of white marble garden urns. Wonderfully decorated with heads and tassels. Both are a great ve...
Marble
19th Century Cast Iron Garden Urn or Planter on Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A 19th century cast iron garden urn or planter on stand.
Iron
19th Century French Cast Iron Urn
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French cast iron urn with original paint. Measures: Widest part is 23 inches To top of circular opening 10 inches
Iron
Pair of Antique Derby Porcelain Vases with Flowers Painted by Quaker Pegg
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain, Quaker Pegg At Derby
Located in Katonah, NY
A pair of vases with lavishly painted flowers. Each vase with six gilded dragons. According to Twitchett* Quaker Pegg was "one of the finest natural flower painters ever to paint on china." Upon viewing Pegg's sketch book of flowers...
Porcelain
Apotheke Jar
Located in New York, NY
A lovely apotheke jar made in faience marked No 7. This item is arriving with our new shipment ETA 15th of September
Pottery