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.
Large French Strasbourg 19th Century Faience Tall Floor Candle Holder
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large French Strasbourg 19th Century Faience tall floor candle holder 19th century French Strasbourg faience floor candle holder in Rococo style. ...
Faience
Pair of Italian Carved Wood and Silver Gilt Floral Prickets, Circa 1750
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood, gesso, and silver gilt floral prickets with centered spikes for candles, bulbous ring columns with bead work, and terminating on stylized lions paws feet...
Iron
Italian Pair of Large Walnut Candlesticks, Early 19th Century
Located in CH
Italian Pair of Large Walnut Carved Candlesticks Early 19th Century, after 17th-Century Design An elegant pair of Italian candlesticks crafted in walnut and richly carved with leaf ...
Walnut
A Pair of 20th. C. American Caldwell Gilt Bronze 7-Arm Torchieres w/ Lion Feet
Located in New York, NY
A Large and Rare Pair of 20th. Century American Caldwell Gilt Bronze 7-Arm Torchieres with Lion Feet. Each with a Solomonic-form stem molded with spiral fluting and grape leaves and ...
Bronze
19th Century Grain Painted Paneled Wood Door
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous grain painted solid wood paneled door. Painted in the Trompe loi style to imitate rosewood or another exotic wood. Door is grain painted on one side only. Other side is ol...
Hardwood
Mid 18th Century Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean painted chest H. 81 – W. 147 – P. 69 Ancient Tyrolean chest, entirely built in fir wood. The surface has been decorated with a dark brown background color, semi-covering, ...
Fir
Folk Art Bridal Chest, circa 1950
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This vintage pine chest from the mid-20th century is a real eye-catcher. It is richly decorated with hand-painted folkloric decorations, executed in a traditional color scheme of war...
Pine
1808 Blue Floral Painted Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Wardrobe dated 1808 Measurements: H. 173 cm – W. 128 (140 to the frames) cm – D. 50 (55 to the frames) cm Period: 1808 Origin: Tyrol Wood: Fir Description Beautiful painte...
Fir
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.
Wood
Elegant Hand-Painted Wood Chest with Wrought Iron Clasp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant hand-painted wood chest with wrought iron clasp.
Wrought Iron
Folk Art Wedding Chest, circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from Central Europe, probably German, circa 1850. The terracotta red color scheme is typical of the style and is often seen in Swedish and German painted furnitu...
Pine
Red Floral Painted Cabinet, 1790, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Sideboard, antique Tyrolean red painted cabinet - 19th century, Central Europe Measures: H. 192 cm – L. 87 cm – P. 50 cm (82 cm to the frames) ...
Fir
Antique Polychromed Wall Candle Holder Italy 19th Century
Located in Čelinac, BA
Wooden Torch Holder Putto Italy 19th Century
Wood
$3,161
H 12.21 in W 28.35 in D 17.72 in
Exceptional 1750 Red and Blu Painted Blanket Chest, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Small Antique painted blancket chest Measures: H. 31cm - L. 72cm - P. 45cm Rare small chest in painted fir wood. The decorations are geometric, of an intense blue color, with ...
Fir
Rajasthani Indian Hand Painted Wood Jewelry Dowry Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rajasthani Indian vaulted dowry jewelry box, hand painted with Indian lovers enjoying each other, while beautiful court musicians accompany them ...
Wood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 20.87 in D 22.45 in
Antique, Vernacular 1912 Swedish Log Chair, Traditional Carved Kubbstol
Located in Stockholm, SE
Antique Folk Art Kubbstol from Sweden. A Kubbstol is a dug-out pine trunk chair. It's a primitive construction with a simple design and this particular piece is made from a large lo...
Fabric, Pine
Sold
H 61.82 in W 10.24 in D 10.24 in
Torcheres Candlestands Pair Silver-Gilt Mirror Plate Italian Rococo 62" high
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Exceptionally rare, pair of 18th century, period, silver-gilt, 1.57m, 5ft 2in" high, torcheres which include inlaid sections of mirror plate to reflect light -Tall exuding gravitas....
Beech
Pair of 18th Century Italian Giltwood Lanterns
Located in Wainscott, NY
Pair of 18th century Italian Giltwood Lanterns found in England The details of the lanterns reflects the period of fabrication. The remaining...
Wood