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.
19th Century Majolica Monkey Pianist Humidor Tobacco Jar Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Amusing Majolica monkey pianist tobacco jar Sarreguemines, circa 1880.Rarely found complete with his lid ,he wear a costume of Oriental style, he play piano and two books are represe...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Fine Pair Meissen Porcelain Figures of Hoopoe Birds Perched on White Branches
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Pair of very Meissen Porcelain Figures of Hoopoe Birds Perched on White Tree Branches, with Insects and Flowers. This finely detailed naturalistic pair of exotic Hoopoe...
Porcelain
$6,057 / set
Collection of Four Meissen Porcelain Bird Models
Located in London, GB
Collection of four Meissen porcelain bird models German, 20th Century Largest (parrot): Height 14cm, width 10cm, depth 5cm This superb collection of four porcelain bird sculptures, was masterfully created by the celebrated artisans of the historic Meissen porcelain factory. Each bird is perched gracefully on a white porcelain tree...
Porcelain
$6,800 / set
Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Essex, MA
Each with rocaille galleried shelf over a pair of phoenix birds over trailing icicles and C-scrolls.
Pine, Giltwood
Pair of Meissen Porcelain Figures of Parrots Standing on Branches W/ Cherries
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent and large pair of antique meissen porcelain figures of colorful parrots, each standing on a tree branch with cherries and beautiful foliage after a model by J. J. Kandl...
Porcelain
Fine Vintage Samson Porcelain Bolognese or Bichon Dog Figurine
By J.J. Kaendler, Samson & Cie
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Samson porcelain model of a Bolognese dog. Modeled after the figurines that Kaendler designed for Meissen in 18th century. A classic form that is always in style! The...
Porcelain
Meissen Bacchant Group, Drunken Silenus On Donkey, by E.A. Leuteritz, Circa 1860
By Ernst August Leuteritz, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meisse porcelain group of the 19th century: The group was designed by Leuteritz using old moulds based on a model by Friedrich Elias Meyer from 1760: Visibly drunk Silenus,...
Porcelain
Pair of 18th Century Italian Gilt Fragment Horse Head Sculptures
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Pair of 18th century Italian gold-leaf fragment horse head sculptures. The pair is made of 18th century Italian water-gilt fragments mounted on scroll wood bases. The fragments come...
Gold Leaf
Meissen Bacchant Group, Drunken Silenus On Donkey, by E.A. Leuteritz, Circa 1870
By Ernst August Leuteritz, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meisse porcelain group of the 19th century: The group was designed by Leuteritz using old moulds based on a model by Friedrich Elias Meyer from 1760: Visibly drunk Silenus,...
Porcelain
Meissen Commedia Dell'Arte Group Harlequin Family by J.J. Kaendler Germany c1870
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Commedia dell'Arte figure group from the 19th century: Harlequin and Columbine with child dancing in a circle: Harlequin in green jacket with golden buttons and white ruff...
Porcelain
Porcelain Rhinocerous Clara, 18th Century design, black bisque, Nymphenburg
By Edouard Verschaffelt
Located in München, Bavaria
An inspiration for artists, musicians and poets since the 18th Century: the armored rhinoceros Clara remains the topic of conversation and at the center of attention. Clara is an ice...
Porcelain
19th Century French Bronze Hunting Dog Sculpture, Rococo Style, France
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique piece purchased in France. 19th Century French Bronze Hunting Dog Sturdy weight. Great condition - see detailed photos.
Marble, Bronze
Fine Pair of Meissen Porcelain Models of Eagles Resting on Branches
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Early 20th Century Meissen Porcelain models of eagles naturalistically resting on branches. Each Eagle can be seen with their wings spread wide out and their beaks ope...
Porcelain
Bronze Rhinoceros by Theodore Alexander on a Rococo Style Granite Plinth
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare decorative bronze rhinoceros sculpture by Theodore Alexander. Modeled with strong anatomical detail ,and a rich dark patina that emphasizes its sculptural mass and presence. T...
Granite, Bronze
$17,440Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental 19th C. French Hand-Painted Majolica Rooster Vase, by Jerome Massier
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental 19th Century French Hand-Painted Majolica Rooster Vase Signed by Jerome Massier. The body is modeled in high relief with a textured surface simulating feathers. The tail...
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Large Black Stallion Horse Head Sculpture 1990s
Located in Torquay, GB
Monumental Italian ceramic stallion horse head sculpture dating from the early 1990s. Impressive high gloss glazed ceramic horse head, in colours black ...
Ceramic
Bronze elephant by Theodore Alexander on rococo style rose granite base
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rare bronze elephant by Theodore Alexander. modeled with expressive anatomical detail and a dynamic raised trunk. The sculpture displays finely rendered surface texturing across the ...
Granite, Bronze
A Beautiful Meissen Porcelain Monkey Grouping with Gilt Highlights
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Meissen Porcelain Monkey Grouping Climbing a Tree with Gilt Highlights. A Meissen porcelain figural group depicting a family of m...
Porcelain
A Fine Italian 19th Century Carved Marble Sculpture of "Playful Putti with Goat"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and charming Italian 19th century carved Carrara Marble Sculpture Group of "Playful Putti with Goat" depicting two young children, one riding the goat whose two front le...
Carrara Marble
$3,769Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figure, 'Rhesus Monkey and child'
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figure, Rhesus Monkey and child, model 1464, circa 1750 . Modelled by J.J. Kändler. Monkey, with outstretched hand holding fruit, and child chained ...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Dachshund Dog
Located in New York, NY
An Antique Meissen Porcelain figure of a Dachshund dog, with double blue crossed swords mark under-glaze. This is a very well portrayed Dachs...
Porcelain
Pair of Continental Carved Wood Monkeys with Tambourine
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mirror image pair of naturalistically carved figures of a seated monkey's wearing a carved giltwood cloak and turban, perched on a rocky plinth, with his hand out holding a tambourin...
Wood
Meissen Model of a Crouching Kitten, German, Modeled by Otto Jarl, 1903
Located in New York, NY
A model of a crouching kitten by Meissen, German, Modeled by Otto Jarl, 1903. The kitten is shown to have pinkish eyes with a pinkish nose and a blue bow. Th...
Porcelain
"PAIR OF BIRDS ON TORSO" FRENCH SCULPTURES SEVRES 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"PAIR OF BIRDS ON TORSO" FRENCH SCULPTURES SEVRES 19th Century pair of Sèvres porcelain sculptures. Resting on relief bronze bases. Marked....
Porcelain
Unusual 19th Century Meissen Figure of a Camel after a Model by J. J. Kandler
Located in New York, NY
A unusual 19th century Meissen figure of a camel with blue under-glaze double crossed swords mark, after J.J. Kandler. Naturalistically modeled above a rocky outcrop on a scroll-mol...
Porcelain
Italian Ceramic Hand Painted Bird on Branch
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian hand painted ceramic bird on branch, circa 1990s. In perfect conditions, a nice collectible decoration item.
Ceramic
Pair Of Italian Carved And Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Italian carved and giltwood wall brackets. Beautifully carved with acanthus leaves and scrollwork. Nice wide shelf atop a base that cumulates into a pineapple-like shape at b...
Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Oak Octagonal Humidor with Silver Mounts
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century English Oak Octagonal Humidor With Silver Mounts. Complex octagonal form with moldings and silvered brass fittings. The base supported by small bun feet, two ring h...
Silver Plate
A sumptuous pair of George III carved giltwood wall brackets
Located in Reepham, GB
A sumptuous pair of George III carved giltwood wall brackets, the lavishly carved supports having highly detailed and delightful carving of rosa centifolia, the Rose of Provence ben...
Giltwood
$1,626
H 5.91 in W 4.34 in D 2.76 in
Age Art Deco Porcelain Figurine from Hungarian Porcelain Hollóháza
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Age Art Deco porcelain figurine from Hungarian porcelain Hollóháza About Holloaza Hollohaza porcelain is one of the oldest porcelain manufactory ...
Porcelain
$540Sale Price|28% Off
H 13.75 in W 6.25 in D 6.25 in
Lladró "The Debutante" Fine Porcelain Figurine, 1981
By Lladro
Located in McKinney, TX
This beautiful and whimsical retired design by Lladro artist Jose Puche is called "The Debutante" and is a pastel dream! With purple hair and snow white sk...
Porcelain
Famille Verte Porcelain Inkwell by Samson
By Samson & Cie
Located in Paris, FR
Small famille verte porcelain inkwell decorated with enameled flowerpots, foliage, and stylized rinceaux. The inkwell is set on a gilt bronze b...
Enamel, Bronze
Augarten Vienna Porcelain Figurine Nude
By Augarten Porzellanmanufaktur
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Lovely porcelain figurine of a nude by the Augarten Porcelain Manufacture of Vienna, Austria. Marked with the company logo on the base. In excellent condition. Some museum wax and st...
Porcelain
$1,938Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.73 in W 3.55 in D 1.97 in
Meissen Rococo Porcelain Figures of Dancing Children, Circa 1750
Located in Basildon, GB
A Pair of 18th Century Meissen Figures "Children Dancing", modelled in the commedia dell'arte style as a young girl and boy dancing. Raised over simple rococo bases with applied flow...
Porcelain
$2,609Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 7.09 in W 6.7 in D 5.12 in
Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Horses by Samson Manufactory
By Samson & Cie
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of 20th century white porcelain horses on clouds, above rocaille bases richly decorated with scrollwork and openwork foliage. Both figures are marked underneath with two crossed...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in London, by appointment only
An exceptional pair of mid-18th century carved and water gilt wall brackets profusely carved with acanthus leaves and swags of plump roses, ripe fruits, harebells and flower heads. ...
Giltwood
French Pair of Giltwood Brackets Neoclassical
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French pair of giltwood brackets neoclassical.
Wood
Sold
H 4.5 in W 8 in D 2 in
Set of Three 18th Century Italian Gold Flower Fragments with Aurora and Calcite
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Set of three 18th century Italian gold leaf hand-carved wood flower fragments adorned with aurora quartz and each mounted on a calcite optical base. The fragments originally came fro...
Agate, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 8.5 in W 13 in D 3 in
Pair of 18th Century Italian Scroll Fragments with Agate Coral and Shells
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
A pair of 18th-century Italian wood scroll fragments edged in gold leaf with gold leaf detailing and applied coordinating agate coral and fossil shells. The hand-carved gold leaf scr...
Agate, Gold Leaf
Dutch Delft Polychrome Model of a Cow Milking Group
By Delft
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dutch Delft PolychromeModel of a Cow Being Milked, De Twee Scheepjes Pottery (The Two Little Ships), Circa 1765 The Dutch Delft cow figure, from the De Twee Scheepjes Pottery (The T...
Delft, Faience, Pottery
Dutch Delft Polychrome Model of a Cow
By Delft
Located in Downingtown, PA
De Gilde-os: A Celebratory Dutch Delft Cow, Polychrome Pastoral: Dutch Delftware, Circa 1760 This captivating Dutch Delftware cow model, dating to circa 1760, is an exceptional exam...
Delft, Faience, Pottery
Dutch Delft Horse and Rider, 19th century
By Delft
Located in Basildon, GB
Nineteenth century tin-glazed continental polychrome faience horse, circa1880. Dubious markings (Roos, APK, etc) to the base. 23 cm long, 26 cm high, 10 cm wide.
Delft
Sold
H 8.27 in W 8.27 in D 4.93 in
Meissen Elaborate Bacchant Group Silenus On Donkey by Leuteritz, 19th Century
By Ernst August Leuteritz, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Extraordinary porcelain figure group from the 19th century: Obviously drunken Silen, crowned with a wreath of grapevines, sitting on a donkey and supported by a young bacchante stri...
Porcelain
Sold
H 22 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pair of Vintage Italian Polychrome Glazed Ceramic Sculptures of Monkey Musicians
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sitting on stacked tasseled cushions the two monkeys are deeply involved in playing their tunes, one playing the Accordion and the other the Lyre. Dressed in 18th century style color...
Terracotta
Sold
H 6.89 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Meissen Dog Group Pug with Puppy and Bells by J.J. Kaendler Germany, circa 1850
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovingly designed group of animals: Sitting female pug with jingle collar, looking attentively to the right, between her legs a small puppy looking out. Designer: Johann Joachim...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Italian Parcel Gilt Carved Wood Whippets with Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of antique Italian whippets or dogs carved from hardwood paint decorated and parcel gilt depicting the pair seated on pillows while balan...
Hardwood, Paint
Gilded Angel Wing on Stand
Located in Sheffield, MA
Impressive distressed gold leaf angel wing mounted on iron stand makes a wonderful sculpture decoration. Rococo style.
Synthetic
Peacock Candle Holder by Jacob Petit
By Jacob Petit
Located in New Orleans, LA
This candle holder by renowned porcelain manufacturer Jacob Petit is extravagantly designed in the form of a majestic peacock. Petit owned one of the most important and well-known po...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Delft Cow Figures 18th Century Netherlands C-1785
By De Porceleyne Lampetkan
Located in Katonah, NY
This delightful pair of cows was hand-painted around 1785 at De Porceleyne Lampetkan in the city of Delft. Since the late seventeenth century, Dutch Delft cows...
Delft