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.
Gilt Bronze Figurine Young Lady with Love Letter at Fountain 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Step back in time with this stunning hand-chased cast bronze figurine, reminiscent of the beautiful Rococo era. Sculpture depicting a beautiful young lady in a garden by a fountain, ...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Early Meissen Cupid Group Around 1750, Allegory of Spring, with Additional Base
Located in Vienna, AT
Four scantily clad cupids grouped on a rock, partly flowers, partly holding flower arrangements in their hands, the flowers as a typical attribute of the Meissen spring representatio...
Porcelain
Nymphenburg Frankenthal Figurine 'Guitar Player', Germany, 1923
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare figurine from the former manufacturer Frankenthal. The young man, dressed in Rococo style: black knee breeches, white stockings, fitted, white, striped jacket with puffed ...
Porcelain
Meissen Crinoline Group 'The Heart Box Sale', by J.J. Kaendler, Germany, Ca 1850
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite and rare genre group of the 19th century: Lady in elaborate, magnificent rococo clothing with a sweeping crinoline and an ermine-trimmed cape enthroned on a richly decorate...
Porcelain
Ornamental Top, Polychromed and Giltwood, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Top in carved, polychrome and gilded wood, 18th century. Painted finish imitating marble decorated with scrolls and vegetal motifs carved and gilded on its front surface. He would be...
Other
Meissen Two Children Seasons Figurines The Fall Model F 24 Acier c.1870
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Lovely Pair of Children Season's Rococo Figurines - The Fall: Girl and Boy with Wine Grapes, both supporting themselves on marble column MA...
Porcelain
Patinated Bronze Rococo Style Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a bronze patinated cast sculpture of a female figure dressed in Rococo-style attire with a traditional folding fan and a small bird. This sculpture's origins ar...
Stone, Bronze
$6,965Sale Price|30% Off
18th Century Italian Carved Wood and Polychromed Figure Depicting Baby Jesus
Located in North Miami, FL
Presenting an extraordinary 18th-century Italian carved wood and polychromed figure, capturing the tender image of baby Jesus in a standing posture, gracefully perched upon an intric...
Gold Leaf
Christimas cherubs in Nymphenburg porcelain hand crafted and hand painted
Located in München, Bavaria
Nymphenburg is the porcelain manufactory of the Bavarian royal family. These cherubs are hand crafted and hand painted in Nymphenburg by artisians with execellent expertise. They are...
Porcelain
$1,750 / set
Pair of Italian Venetrian Porcelain Clown Busts
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) porcelain busts of clowns wearing a black mask resting on a low pedestal.
Porcelain
Mme Pompadour french alabaster bust circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bust in alabaster representing Mme Pompadour circa 1850
Alabaster
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
Meissen Figurines Cherubs with Swing Model G 32 by Acier Made circa 1920
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous figurine group: Cherubs with Swing The details are stunningly sculptured = finest modelling! Design: Michel Victor Acier (1736-1799) / model G 32 created 1780 ...
Porcelain
Meissen Genre Love Group With Drum Beater, by F.E. Meyer, Germany Circa 1850
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Meissen porcelain group: On rock pedestal fixed with large rocailles in the foreground sitting musician with tricorn, frock coat over wide sh...
Porcelain
Meissen Deal with Goose Model 720 Johann Joachim Kaendler Made circa 1850-1860
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen stunning figurine group: The Deal with Goose Model 720 Measures: height 6.69 inches (17.0 cm) width 6.69 inches (17.0 cm) depth 4.72 inches (12.0 cm) Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (glazed bottom) model number 720 / former's number 6 / painter's number 71 First quality Dating: 19th century / made circa 1850-1860 Material: porcelain, glossy finish, multicolored painted Technique: handmade porcelain Style: Rococo Modelled by: Johann Joachim Kaendler...
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
Christimas cherubs in Nymphenburg porcelain hand crafted and hand painted
Located in München, Bavaria
Nymphenburg is the porcelain manufactory of the Bavarian royal family. These cherubs are hand crafted and hand painted in Nymphenburg by artisians with execellent expertise. They are...
Porcelain
Nymphenburg Porcelain handcrafted and hand painted cherub on a pedestal
Located in München, Bavaria
This allegorical cherub Luna holding the cycle moon is handcrafted in Nymphenburg porcelain. The figure stands on a pedestal adorned with the Bavarian crest and floral bouquets. The ...
Porcelain
Handcrafted cherub of the allegory LUNA - hand painted - Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This cherub is the allegory "Luna" holding the moon from a large collection of allegorical figures from the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg archival collection. The figure is finely...
Porcelain
Meissen Two Children Seasons Figurines The Fall Model F 24 Acier, circa 1870
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen lovely pair of children season's rococo figurines - The Fall: Girl and boy with wine grapes, both supporting themselves on marble column Ma...
Porcelain
$2,400 / set
Pair of Rococo Style Candelabra
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French Rococo style candelabra after Claudion. Bronze set upon rouge marble base.
Bronze