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.
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
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
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
$458
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
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
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener
Located in Meer, VAN
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener. A letter opener with a very distinct sable style design - early 20th century or even late 19th century. Shows a nice patina. About O...
Brass
Vintage Italian glass paperweight, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
Vintage glass paperweight, probably Italian circa 1960.
Glass
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
Brutalist Desk set by Artespana, Wood & Bronze, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Brutalist Desk set designed and crafted by the Spanish house Artespana in 1970s. Set composed of a Wood board, bronze & wood letter opener and glass. Rare design objects that el...
Bronze
Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, never used, vanity set with a bristle brush, comb and mirror. Each piece fits neatly into a velvet carrying case with hinge closure. Each piece features an ornate silver...
Metal, Sterling Silver
$498Sale 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
$2,711Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 6.3 in W 15.95 in D 10.12 in
A Regency Hand Crafted Rosewood Writing Slope With Secret Compartments
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Secret Compartments. Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated ...
Brass
Writing Set by Ernst Svedbom for Svenskt Tenn, 1934
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Writing, seven parts set in pewter by Ernst Svedbom (1913-2004), Goldsmith AB for Swedish Tenn, circa 1934-1936. Marked: SG A-B Svenskt Tenn K8. A pair...
$893
H 8.27 in W 14.57 in D 10.63 in
Beautiful and Rare Mahogany Tennis Racket Tensioner from Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful and rare English Tennis Racket Tensioner from early 20th century or maybe late 19th Century. Made in mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) with brass details. Wear consistent wi...
Brass
$2,850
H 1.5 in W 7.25 in D 2 in
Antique Ottoman Turkish Brass Inkwell Qalamdan with Arabic Calligraphy Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th C. Ottoman Turkish Brass Inkwell Qalamdan with Arabic Calligraphy Writing.An antique 19th century brass decorated Islamic Turkish Qalamdan.An antique Turkish Brass...
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