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.
French Mail Desk Holder from Paris, Circa Mid-20th Century, France
Located in New York, NY
A French white porcelain desk letter or mail holder, with small flowers and leaves, in the Rococo design style, circa mid-20th century, Paris, France. Piece with scalloped edge is ha...
Porcelain
Silver Business Card Holder, France by Marret Frères, 1886 - 1912
Located in Rīga, LV
Silver business card holder, Marret Frères (MFres), France, Paris, 1886 - 1912 Additional Information: Materials: Silver, gilding, silver 950* Vintage from the 19th century Art...
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
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
Desk Card Holder, France, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Desk card holder, France, 1940s Golden Spelter, one of the small studs on the front is missing. Lacks in the gilding, as evidenced by the descriptive photographs.
Spelter
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
Vintage Leather Desk Complete Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Leather desk complete set is an original set of decorative set of objects realized in the mid-20th century. Mixed media: Leather, paper, plexiglass, brass and tissue. Made in ...
Leather, Glass, Plexiglass
$895
H 3.75 in W 3 in D 0.25 in
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
By George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Sterling Silver
$250 / item
H 3.5 in W 2.5 in D 4 in
Miniature Brass Log Holder, English Country Style, Mid-20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
3 English-style Miniature (mid-20th Century) pen holder in the shape of a brass log holder (PRICED EACH)
Brass
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
$450
H 3.13 in W 5.38 in D 2.13 in
Desk Business Card Holder, VIP, Lucite Acrylic, Postmodern, Late 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
An acrylic VIP business card holder, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. VIP in red translucent acrylic, attached to transparent holder base. Demonstrated holding busi...
Acrylic, Lucite
$2,950 / set
H 5 in W 11 in D 7 in
Two 20th Century Art Deco Hermes Paris Desk Set Pieces circa 1930-1935
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Two beautiful and desirable vintage desk pieces by the most famous luxury brand, the crocodile skin still has its original sheen and is in very good condition. Both pieces have st...
Crocodile
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
Vintage Business Card Holder, Stand in Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rather practical 1950s British novelty item. Intended for displaying/presenting business cards on your office desk or in your shop. Its made entirely f...
Brass
Business Card Holder Hollywood Regency, 1970s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Glamoureus business card holder. Gold plated Perspex. Hollywood Regency style 1970s Good condition.
Acrylic
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...
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