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.
$2,240Sale Price|30% Off
Enamel Miniatures Living Room and Piano Set
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enamel miniatures living room and piano set Origin Vienna, Austria Circa 1900 Enamel and bronze materials The piano is a music box (it works) The general condition is very good. ...
Enamel
1775 Venezia Italy Blue Lacquered Wooden Engraved TablePaper Holder with Flowers
Located in Brescia, IT
This refined engraved walnut table paper holder for desk, lacquered in a magnificent blue color, showcases the excellent taste in form and color. This rare piece hails from the Late 18th Century, 1775 circa, and it was created in Venezia, Italy. Abolut this piece, Clara Santini, one of the most important experts in Venetian laquered furniture...
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of stirrups. Carved wood, iron. Chile, 18th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of stirrups. Carved wood, iron. Chile, 18th century. Pair of stirrups made up of a carved wooden block, in the shape of a crescent on the front, and decorated on the outside wi...
Iron
Antique French Rococo Style Gilt Pewter and Porcelain Inkwell Signed Chatelain
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique French Rococo style gilt pewter and porcelain inkwell from circa 1900, marked "Chatelain". This beautifully shaped gilt pewter inkwell is adorned with flowers in the center ...
Pewter
George III Period Rococo Sterling Silver Wax Jack, Desk Accessory, 1767
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1767 by John Langford II & John Sebille, this elegant, Antique Sterling Silver Wax Jack, is in the Rococo taste, standing on three fee...
Sterling Silver
$550Sale Price / item|29% Off
Small 18th Century French Rococo Brass Planter Flower Pot
Located in Copenhagen, K
French Rococo Planter or Flower Pot in Brass, Circa 1780 Period French flower pot with beautiful large Rococo decorations.
Brass
$337Sale Price|25% Off
Bronze Rococo Style Ring Dish or Pen Rest
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rococo style bronze asymmetrical ring dish or pen rest. It depicts a repousse profile of a Roman warrior in the center. Around it, there are some C-...
Bronze
Enamel and Crystal Six Part Jardinière, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel and crystal six part jardinière, France, late 19th century.
Crystal, Enamel
$556
H 3.94 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Calipso Pen Holder in Black Lacquered Wood with Corno Italiano Inlays, Mod 5305s
Located in Recanati, Macerata
An elegant addition to an executive desk, our Calipso pen holder showcases a rectangular silhouette in glossy black lacquered wood, accented with a distinctive rim in Corno Italiano,...
Chrome
French Art Deco Palisander and Pewter Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Crystal, Pewter
$800
H 15 in W 21 in D 18 in
Mid-19th Century French Brass and Wrought Iron Kindling Cache Pot Planter
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring an authentic French countryside touch to your kitchen with this large antique kindling pot. Crafted in Normandy, France, circa 1870, the important cache pot is round in shape and dressed with a wrought iron handle attached with rivets. The simple, traditional kitchen accessory is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich polished finish throughout. Versatile, the big pot could also be used as a big waste basket, a wine or beer cooler...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$4,629Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 7.01 in D 3.75 in
Desk Set stripes enamel Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and Tray.Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels with two-tone stripes on guilloche and hand engravings, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pe...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$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
18th Century Mexican Chest from New Spain
Located in Marbella, ES
Mexican chest. New Spain, 18th century. In polychrome wood. Slight paint losses on the lid. Measurements: 7 x 16 x 6.5 cm. Wooden chest from the vicerega...
Wood
$1,350 / set
H 0.75 in W 12.75 in D 4 in
Art Deco Sterling and Enamel Floral Dresser Set, 6 Pieces by Saart Brothers
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Art Deco Saart Brothers, sterling silver and white guilloche enamel with a floral vanity, dresser brush set. Marked with Saart Brothers hallmark and ster...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
By Kirk & Son
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Painted Porcelain Cache Pot Planter
Located in Antwerp, BE
This round and colorful antique planter, flower pot was created in France, circa 1890. The elegant porcelain piece is in excellent condition with rich painted colors in the blue, bro...
Ceramic
Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Wood Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th century Italian carved wood figures. Originally polychromed and now aged to a shabby chic look.
Wood
French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Brass, Iron
$763 / item
H 2.37 in W 14.18 in D 9.85 in
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set. Hand stitched calf leather. Also, available in a larger size tray set of two, size 55 x 35 x 5.8 H cm. Larger quantities available upon reque...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 9.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
Pair Antique French Gilt Bronze Ormolu Rococo Portrait Photo Picture Frames 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A stunning pair French Ormolu portrait standing photo frames of generous proportions, mid to late nineteenth century. The rectangular shaped highly decorative ormolu leafy frame ...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Boulle Style Table Desk
Located in Wiscasset, ME
With carrying handle and single drawer. Lacking inkwells, circa 1870 Measure: Width 12 in.
Bone, Wood
Sold
H 0.79 in W 6.5 in D 3.15 in
French Rococo Style Bronze Card Tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A lovely card tray or pin tray, Vide - Poche, made of bronze adorned with flowers, leaf, and seashell motif that’s very characteristic of the Rococo or Louis XV style aesthetic. The ...
Bronze
Sold
H 3 in W 12 in D 16.5 in
French Etched Bronze Centerpiece Tray with Pressed Feather Glass Insert Center
Located in Roslyn, NY
Fine French etched bronze scroll handles on this centerpiece tray has pressed feather glass decorative insert. Measures: 16.5" x 12" x 3".
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Pewter Dish
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful bevelled, 1770s pewter plate.
Pewter
Pair of Italian Gilt Bookends
Located in Nashville, TN
Pair of Italian gilt bookends with red bole bleeding through the lemony gilding on faux granite bases. Each with House of "Borghese" label beneath. Borghese making gilded accesso...