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.
Very Early Meissen Tea Caddy With Merchant Ship Scenes And Bud Knob, 1763-1774
Located in Vienna, AT
Rectangular porcelain box with rounded shoulders, small round, slightly domed lid with bud handle, colourful painted merchant scenes on the four sides and on the top of the lid, gold...
Porcelain
$1,207Sale Price|20% Off
Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape
Located in Epfach, DE
A very nice enamel tea caddy, Vienna 18th century, paintings with landscape and couples on all sides and on the top and gold ornamentation.
Enamel
George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero
By John Pero
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1739 by John Pero, this stunning suite of George II Period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies and Sugar Caddy, are in the Rococo taste, featuring flat chase...
Sterling Silver
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Rococo Pewter Tea Caddy
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very beautiful Rococo pewter tea caddy with lion on the lid.
Pewter
English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A lovely bow front tortoiseshell tea caddy inlaid with mother of pearl flowers and topped with a silver badge. English, circa 1870.
Silver
Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nice mellow patina on this 18th century English mahogany tea caddy with three interior compartments. Two end sections have incised geometric carved lids. Tapered all around from top ...
Wood
18th Century Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
By Michael Plummer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George III sterling silver locking tea caddy has a navette, paneled shaped form. The body of this silver tea caddy box is embellished with bands of bright cut engraved volute spiraling leaf ornamentation on a matte background to the upper and lower portions; these bands flank a plain undulating bordered panel. The ornamentation to the surface of the caddy alternates with panels of concave vertical fluted decoration. This antique Georgian tea caddy is retains the original hallmarked flush hinged covers; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is embellished with further bright cut engraved undulating borders accented with bud motifs, in addition to simplified borders paralleling the domed paneled portion; the domed portions reflects the incurved shape of the body. This impressive cover is surmounted with a cast sterling silver urn style finial, in the Classic Adams style. The caddy retains the original fitted fully working lock and functional key. This sterling silver tea caddy is a highly desirable shape and style. Condition: This Georgian silver tea caddy...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished, with an applied reed decorated border to the upper and lower rims. This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked domed flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is surmounted with the original and exceptional silver topped oval button style finial. This antique Georgian tea caddy...
Sterling Silver
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
With Tuscan Columns & Fan Inlay. From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer...
Boxwood, Harewood
18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a burr thorn and crossbanded tea caddy of superb color and patina with the original brass handle and bracket feet, circa 1750.
Wood
$3,884Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.25 in Dm 4.5 in
Pear Shaped Meissen Vase with Cover and Vines with Flowers and Fruits
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful early 19th century pear shaped Meissen covered vase with raised fruits, vines and flowers. The vase is finely hand painted with pink ...
Porcelain
Period Georgian Tea Caddy, Circa 1790-1810
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1790-1810 period Georgian tea caddy made from Mahogany. The tea caddy has been used well and loved over many centuries. The top has a brass ring with which to lift the lid. ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Tortoise Shell
19th Century English Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A large English tea caddy. It is mahogany with brass feet.
Brass
$300
H 1.58 in Dm 3.15 in
Antique Lidded Box in Hand Painted Porcelain with Flowers and Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique lidded box in hand painted porcelain with flowers and gold decoration on a purple background. Sevres style, early 20th century. Measures:...
Porcelain
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy, Great Britain, Circa 1760
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Chippendale period figured mahogany tea caddy, ebony beaded and mahogany cross-banded throughout, having concave-shaped lid retaining original brass carrying handle.
Mahogany
Sold
H 7.5 in W 13 in D 8.25 in
Theodore Alexander Walnut Claw Foot Tea Caddy Casket Chest Trinket Box 13"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Theodore Alexander walnut tea caddy / trinket box. Carved in French Empire / Rococo style with shields, foliate designs and winged corners over four claw / paw feet. Foliate ...
Walnut
Sold
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 2.96 in
Stunning Rococo Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies, London, 1768
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1768 by Henry Bailey, this stunning pair of George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies, feature Rococo chasing throughout, vacant cartouches, and ...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Georgian Rococo Sterling Silver Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
English Georgian Rococo sterling silver tea caddy, 1766. Bombe with corner leaf-mounted volute scroll supports. Chased scrollwork and flower baskets framed by garlands. Asymmetrical ...
Sterling Silver
18th Century Rococo Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful two-part brass tea caddy
Brass
18th c. Brass Tea Caddie
Located in Copenhagen, K
18th c. Brass Tea Caddie
Brass, Pewter