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.
Silver Writing Set, with Hallmarks, Antonio J. Santa Cruz, Cordoba, Spain, 1773
By Antonio Jose de Santa Cruz
Located in Madrid, ES
Silver writing set. With hallmarks. Córdoba, Antonio José de Santa Cruz (Córdoba, 1733 -?) and Juan de Luque and Leiva, Spain, 1773. It shows some fault in some container and adds b...
Silver
Silver Writing Set, Vicente Roces, Zaragoza, Spain, circa 1760
Located in Madrid, ES
With hallmarks. The base tray has a square shape with mixtilinear profiles and rests on legs with vegetal motifs. The four containers present helical gallonized feet, and pearl flow...
Silver
Italian Shelf Depicting the Roman Emperor from the Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Decorated wood shelf Date/Period: 20th century Dimension: 50cm x 45cm 35cm Materials: Wood Additional information: Italian shelf depicting the Roman emperor from the early...
Wood
$1,000
H 7.09 in W 4.34 in D 2.68 in
Writing set with blotter, inkwell, opener, seal, pen and original case
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Writing set with blotter, inkwell, letter opener, seal and embossed silver pen with original case. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabeça de escravo. Weight: 3...
Silver
$207Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.7 in W 2.96 in D 0.4 in
Vintage Silver Thermometer, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This vintage silver thermometer is a precious decorative object realized in the 1910s. Silver frame with weather thermometer. Frame with floral decorations. On the back footres...
Silver
Crystal Inkwell, Italy, 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Crystal Inkwell with stopper is a beautiful decorative object. The Inkwell is hexagonal and it is in good condition. Light oxidation at the base of the stopper.
Crystal
$461
H 0.99 in W 8.12 in D 3.27 in
French Art Deco Bakelite / Catalin Desk Writing Set in Box, France c.1930
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Elegant Art Deco desk writing accessory set from France, dating to the 1930s. The set consists of five coordinated pieces crafted from richly marbled Bakelite in warm amber, caramel,...
Metal
German Designer, Complete Writing Set, 1930s/40s
Located in København, Copenhagen
German designer, complete writing set with inkwell, letter holder, wax seal and a letter knife. Approx. 1930/40s. In excellent condition. Letter knife with small chip. A glass in...
Marble
Fancy Antique Swedish Telephone Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Fancy brass , black lacquer with gilded decoration. A work of art. Swedish Coat of arms on dial. . Circa 1910. Working condition. Made by L.M. Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brass
$2,309
H 4.73 in W 16.15 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco Vanity Set, circa 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming set of brushes and jars was once used by a well-to-do lady to store her cosmetics and maintain an elegant updo hairstyle. Also known as a toilet service...
Silver, Enamel
$2,857Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 5.12 in W 14.97 in D 11.42 in
Victorian Campaign Writing Slope, Brass Trim, Green Leather, UK, 1800s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stunning Victorian Campaign Writing Slope With A Decorative Brass Trim, Brass Carry Handles Finished With A Gilt Tooled Racing Green Leather Interior Item will include new notepa...
Brass
Palais Royal French Ormolu Mounted Desk Writing Set with Pen
By Palais Royal
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made antique French Palais Royal ormolu mounted mother of pearl desk stand with pen dating from around 1900. The stand comprises of an ornate looped wire work carrying handle with a candle holder mounted on a shaped metal body embossed and engraved with floral designs and with a coiled pen support one with a snake head terminal and other with a flower with a polished mother of pearl bowl...
Metal
Late 19th Or Early 20th Century Glass Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid Origin: France Material: glass, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 6 × 12 c...
Bronze
$502Sale Price|34% Off
H 9.45 in W 7.09 in D 9.45 in
20th century Vintage Marble and Brass Phone from Italy, 1960s
Located in LEGNY, FR
20th century marble phone made in Italy in the 60s. Green marble and brass. Still working. Very good state. Retro style.
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 4 in W 12.4 in D 1 in
Magnifying Glass Antique Horn Handle Gold Plated Embossed Brass 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
The magnifying glass, a tool that has been an essential part of human history for centuries, has undergone numerous transformations in its design and materiality. The combination of ...
Gold Plate, Brass
circa 1890s Rococo Style Silver Letter Rack
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Rococo style silver letter rack, c.1890s. Continental, 800 standard silver. 2.20 troy oz. Measures: 4 3/8" W., 3 1/16" H. 1 1/8" D.
Silver
French Fish Bowl 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French fish bowl 19th century. The base is golden bronze and has marine and vegetable forms. Measures 38 x 32 cm.
Bronze
Sold
H 4.5 in W 6 in D 3 in
French Gilt-Bronze and Pink Sèvres Porcelain Inkwell & Letter Holder, circa 1880
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A French gilt bronze and pink Sèvres Porcelain inkwell and letter holder, circa 1880 With raised gold, hand-painted with putti and flower...
Bronze