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.
Dutch Delft Blue & White Botanical Bowl
By Delft
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dutch Delft Blue and White Chinoiserie Punch Bowl A striking Dutch Delft pottery punch bowl dating from the height of the Delftware tradition, circa 1720. This high-sided bowl featu...
Delft, Pottery, Faience
French Gilt Limoges Style Porcelain Handled Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a Limoges style cobalt blue handled centerpiece with gilt bronze and hand painted ornamentation. There are no visible markings to suggest that this is an origin...
Bronze
1750 Venezia Italy Blue Lacquered Wooden Tray with Rural Scenes and Flowers
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a large and exquisite lacquered wooden tray, with floral decoration and polychrome rural scene, on blue background. The curved shape of the tray, on the front and on the sid...
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Majolica Faience Centerpiece Large Lodi Circular Bowl
Located in Milano, MI
18th century Italian collectible antique painted majolica bowl, a large basin-shaped centerpiece, with vertical ribs, decorated with polychrome flowers. Small chips, felure and minor...
Maiolica
Antique Brass Art Nouveau Rococo Footed Jardiniere with Scroll Handles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This antique brass jardiniere showcases elaborate Art Nouveau and Rococo Revival influences, distinguished by its flowing lines, sculptural relief work, and richly decorative presenc...
Brass
Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Centerpiece w/ Rams Heads Handles & Wreath Border
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful and Quite Unusual Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Centerpiece with Rams Heads Handles, Lions paw feet, and Wreath Border. The centerpiece is formed as a circular reticulat...
Porcelain
19th Century Silvered Ormolu Footed Stylized Shell Bowl by Les Freres
Located in New York, NY
This elegant stylized shell bowl was realized by the illustrious atelier of Les Freres in France during the 19th century. It offers a stylized silvered ormo...
Ormolu
Rare 19th C. Meissen ‘Schneeballen’ 'Snowball' Covered Bowl & Plate W/ Birds
Located in New York, NY
A Rare 19th Century Meissen Porcelain ‘Schneeballen’ (Snowball) Covered Bowl and Underplate with Encrusted Flowers, Vines, Leaves, and Birds. This piece is very rare and extremely hi...
Porcelain
E & A Muller 'Corona' Porcelain Figural Cherub Jardinière or Centerpiece Bowl
By E.&A. Müller
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
E & A Muller 'Corona' porcelain figural cherub Jardinière or centerpiece bowl. 19th century Austrian porcelain centerpiece bowl or ...
Porcelain
Alt Furstenberg Porcelain Lottine Round Tureen
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Alt Furstenberg Lottine porcelain white tureen decorated with royal blue roses and foliage. There are garlands with this pattern adornin...
Porcelain
Antique French Faience Lidded Bowl Tureen Hand Painted with Flowers and Insects
By Rouen
Located in Firenze, IT
A French 18th century large polychrome Faience lidded soup toureen or entree dish with scallop-shaped edges attributable to Rouen manufacture. This lovely...
Maiolica, Porcelain, Pottery, Faience
French Rococo Style Silver Plated Cherub Dome Centerpiece Fruit Bowls, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Rococo style silver plated cherub dome centerpiece fruit bowls - a Pair. Item features a tall stately form, cherubs to center shafts, ornate leafy scrollwork throughout, dome ...
Silver Plate
BIRKS - Pair of Pierced Sterling Silver Candy Dishes - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
BIRKS - Pair of vintage sterling silver candy or nut dishes - pierced basket design - signed - Canada - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - all original - no loss - no d...
Sterling Silver
White Gold Leaf Clamshell Form Bow
Located in Palm Desert, CA
PLEASE NOTE ONLY THE SMALLER OF THE TWO SHELLS IS AVAILABLE. This pair of carved wood Clamshells are gessoed finished in White Gold and then burnished to a warm glow. The price listed is for the pair. Can be purchased separately The larger clamshell...
Gold Leaf
Antique French Rococo Silver Plated Cherub Dome Centerpiece Fruit Bowls - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Rococo Style Silver Plated Cherub Dome Centerpiece Fruit Bowls - a Pair. Item features tall stately form, cherubs to center shafts, ornate leafy scrollwork throughout,...
Silver Plate
European Silversmith, Ornamental Silver Bowl on Feet, circa 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
European silversmith, Ornamental silver bowl on feet, circa 1900. Stamped. In very good condition. Measures: 25 x 9 cm.
Silver
8 Sterling Silver gilt scallop-shell dishes bowls shells
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of eight sterling silver gilt scallop-shell dishes. Each with a fan-fluted bowl, scrolled rocaille hinge, and scalloped rim. A versatile set for the table — perfect as canapé or...
Sterling Silver
Set of Meissen Hand Painted Porcelain Scalloped Bowl/Plate
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a set of Meissen hand painted porcelain bowl/plate. It depicts in the center a couple of cherubs holding a garland of flowers and also a wreath of green leaves while they are...
Porcelain
Rococo Style Molded Glass and Gilt-Metal Footed Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Ornate glass bowl centerpiece with with gilt metal base. The glass is intricately cut with a with a lattice design, with bases ornamented with curvin...
Bronze
H 2.5 in W 7 in D 6 in
Chinese Black Lacquer Woven Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This small woven tray from the early 20th century celebrates the beautiful simplicity of a hand-woven object. The dish is tightly woven of bamboo to a square-to-round form and finish...
Rattan
H 2 in W 13.5 in D 24 in
Shagreen Tray with Blue Pen Shell and Brass Inserts by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
H 7.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
H 2.5 in Dm 6.5 in
Chinese Blue and White Rice Bowl, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century footed bowl would have been offered by Chinese traders traveling along the Silk Road in exchange for spices or gems. The Chinese a...
Porcelain
H 13 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Dutch Delft Blue Handpainted Vase
By Delft
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice Delft blue pottery vase, handprinted by Gewina Delft.
Ceramic
Chinese Vintage Black Lacquer Game Box with Gilded Traditional Landscape Scenes
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage lacquer game box from the mid 20th century, with gold leaf hand-painted landscape and floral décor. Created in China during the midcentury period, this vintage game box features a black lacquer ground perfectly accented with gilded hand-painted traditional landscapes and pagodas. The circular body, flanked with straight splaying supports, is topped with a lid revealing the small storage space. With its elegant lines and complimenting colors, this vintage Chinese game box...
Wood
H 2.05 in Dm 12.8 in
Antique 18th Century Dutch Delft Chinoserie Plate w. Peony & Chrysanthemum
By Delft
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique 18th Century Dutch Delft Chinoserie plate is a captivating piece of ceramic art that reflects the outstanding craftsmanship and cultural exchange of its time. Originatin...
Faience
H 2.96 in W 13.98 in D 8.27 in
Meissen Porcelain Deep Cabinet Plate with Handles
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen Porcelain deep cabinet plate with handles. This piece is hand painted in cobalt blue with floral motive in the center and richly decorated gold ...
Porcelain
H 5 in Dm 13.5 in
Late 17th-Early 18th Century Italian Majolica Bowl
Located in Hudson, NY
This good sized bowl is a great example of the majolica wares produced in Italy throughout the 15th, 16th, 17, and 18th centuries. Humble and simple but highly decorative and enterta...
Majolica
H 2.49 in Dm 19.1 in
Shagreen Tray with Blue Pen Shell and Brass Inserts by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
H 3.94 in Dm 13.39 in
Large 18th C Blue and White Spanish Lebrillo Bowl
Located in Hastings, GB
A large Lebrillo bowl, made in Granada, Spain in the late 18th century. Hand decorated using blue paints, most likely formed using a variety of ground mi...
Ceramic
H 6.13 in W 19.75 in D 16.25 in
18th Century Italian Marble Bowl Or Holy Water Font
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Italian Marble Bowl Or Holy Water Font. Offered is an Italian Rosso Verona marble holy water font or stoup from the late 18th-early 19th century. This beautifully carved...
Marble
H 6 in W 11.75 in D 8.25 in
Pair Antique Gien Pearlware Bowls on Stands w/ Floral Decoration France Ca. 1870
By Gien
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of antique French pearlware bowls was made by Gien around 1870. Each oval bowl features colorful floral bouquets in the Rococo style, showcasing roses, peonies, and wildflowers in vibrant shades of pink, purple, yellow, and green. The interior is adorned with blossoms, a butterfly, and a dragonfly, adding a lively natural charm. The exterior is framed by pink panels, with flowers painted in between them. The shaped handles, designed as ram's head scrolls, are painted in a bold pink that is echoed along the border of the rim and the square base. A bright turquoise trim around the foot provides a striking contrast, enhancing the overall dimension of the pieces. These bowls are highly decorative and perfect as table centerpieces or for display. **Dimensions:** 11.75" long x 8.25" wide x 6" tall **Condition:** Excellent **Price:** $480 Background of Gien Pottery...
Pearlware
H 11.25 in Dm 11 in
Carved Marble Compote With Dolphin Support
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely carved compote with a deep overhanging rim with grape clusters on the serpentine vine. Triple swirled dolphins with articulated curved tails form the support raised on a tri...
Marble
H 4.73 in Dm 13 in
18th Century Swedish Wabi-Sabi Wooden Bowl with Hand-Forged Repairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
A soulful and timeworn 18th century wooden bowl from Sweden, embodying the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi-Sabi — the beauty found in imperfection and impermanence. Carved from...
Wood
H 8.5 in Dm 10.25 in
Lalique Crystal “Luxembourg” Large Round Bowl
By Lalique
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Lalique frosted crystal “ Luxembourg “ large round bowl. It depicts a relief of playful cherubs that are joined together by holding a garland of laurel leaves. Below the ba...
Crystal
H 5.71 in W 13 in D 8.47 in
19th Century Ormolu Mounted Blue Celeste Sèvres Porcelain Bowl
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ormolu-mounted blue celeste Sevres porcelain bowl center piece, probably second half of 19th century. Unusual mounting in rococo style with four winged putti supporting each corner o...
Bronze
H 8.5 in Dm 10.25 in
Lalique Crystal “Luxembourg” Large Round Bowl
By Lalique
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Lalique frosted crystal “ Luxembourg “ large round bowl. It depicts a relief of playful cherubs that are joined together by holding a garland of laurel leaves. Below the ba...
Crystal
Delft Bowl with Four Matching Delft Chargers Iron Red & Green 18th Century
Located in Katonah, NY
This group of a large Delft punch bowl with four corresponding Delft chargers was made in the Netherlands in the 18th century, circa 1780. Each piece ...
Delft
H 0.8 in W 17.3 in D 11.4 in
1960s Italian Wooden Tray
Located in High Point, NC
An elegant vintage tray hand-crafted in Italy circa 1960. Tempered by the ages of family dinner presentations, rich texture and color meet at this miniature table. A seductive outlin...
Giltwood
H 4.09 in Dm 4.64 in
Solid Silver 18k Gold Plated Carrera y Carrera Calyx Cup Lion and Shell Ornament
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Solid silver 18k gold plated Carrera y Carrera Calyx Cup lion and shell ornament Rococo ornament handles with lion face and shells Signed nº 6312 Measures: Diameter 11.8cm 4,64 inches Height 10.3cm 4,09 inches Carrera and Carrera...
Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
H 1.5 in W 4.25 in D 5.75 in
Brass Scallop Shell Soap Dish
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rocaille style pressed brass soap dish, shaped like a scallop shell. Stands on three brass feet with rubber covers.
Brass
H 5.12 in W 6.7 in D 3.15 in
19th Century Viennese Enamel Centerpiece with Watteau and Arabesque Painting
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Viennese Enamel Work from around 1880: Fire-gilded bronze, elongated oval bowl and arched foot painted with colored enamel with Watteau scenes and richly detailed arabesque d...
Brass
H 0.6 in W 9.4 in D 9.4 in
1970s Italian Wooden Tray
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden tray from Italy, produced circa 1970. Tempered by the ages of family dinner presentations, rich texture and color meet at this miniature table. T...
Wood, Giltwood