Rococo Sculptures
ROCOCO STYLE
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.
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Style: Rococo
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Bow Porcelain Element Figures, "Water" and "Land" , circa 1765
Located in Basildon, GB
Pair of Bow Porcelain Element Figures, "Water" and "Land" , circa 1765, both brightly coloured, 'Water' depicted by Neptune and a large fish, and "Land" depicted by Ceres and a lion.
Category
1760s English Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Circa 1717–1780, Hand-carved Wood and Polychrome Saints Cosmas and Damian
Located in North Miami, FL
Behold a captivating pair of 18th-century hand-carved wooden treasures, dating from the remarkable span of 1717 to 1780. These exquisite pieces stand as a testament to the artistic mastery of their era, adorned with original polychrome and resplendent gold gilding that portrays the venerated Saints Cosmas and Damian...
Category
18th Century Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Velvet, Wood
$12,968 Sale Price / set
34% Off
Figure Columbine with her Hurdy Gurdy, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1756
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
From the Commedia dell’arte, shown seated on a tree stump and playing her favourite instrument. Probably after Kandler, who described the model as a Tyrolean maiden playing a lyre.
...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Rococo Group 'Love and Reward', by J.C. Schoenheit, Around 1850
Located in Vienna, AT
Elaborate porcelain group of the 19th century:
Young mother in elaborate Rococo clothing, seated on a magnificent Louis XVI-style armchair, resting her left foot on a low pedestal, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Early Meissen Rococo Group 'Love and Indulgence' by J.C. Schönheit, Ca 1840
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Meissen porcelain genre group:
Young mother seated on a magnificent Louis XVI-style armchair, her left foot set down on a low stool, a boy lying on his stomach on her left thigh, his white shirt slipped up to reveal his bare buttocks, which the mother has probably just struck with the cane in her left hand, to her right a girl in a dress and hat decorated with feathers, clasping her mother's arm so that she can no longer strike the boy.
The group is based on an oval pedestal with gold heightened frieze decoration on the sides.
Particularly elaborate, detailed design and staffage.
This model was based on drawings by Johann Eleazar Zeissig, known as 'Schenau' (1737-1806).
Designed by JOHANN CARL SCHÖNHEIT (1730 - 1805) in 1788
started working as an apprentice in the Meissen factory in 1741 and has been in a responsible position since 1768. For more than 20 years, Schönheit was an employee of both J.J. Kändler as well as from M.V. Acier, who entered the Meissen factory in 1762. After Kändler's death in 1775, Schönheit was head of the model department until 1794.
Design of the model in 1788
Manufactory: Meissen Germany
Dating: made around 1840
Material: white porcelain, glossy finish
Technique: handmade porcelain, finest hand painting
Dimensions:
height: 25,5 cm / 10.03 in
width: 18,0 cm / 7.08 in
depth: 16,0 cm / 6.29 in
Marks:
Blue Meissen crossed sword mark
Model number: I 66 / former's number 35 / painter Da..
Bibliography:
Thomas & Sabine Bergmann, Meissen Artist's - Figures / Erlangen Germany 2014, Model numbers A1 - Z99, page 31...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Rococo Style Candelabra
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French Rococo style candelabra after Claudion. Bronze set upon rouge marble base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 / set
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Terracotta Bust of King Louis XV After Lemoyne
Located in New Orleans, LA
Presenting a regal yet approachable portrait of France’s Louis XV, this terracotta bust is modeled after Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne’s sculpture of the king executed in 1757, which now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This version is executed in meticulous detail, with the king donning his cuirass decorated with the cross of the Holy Ghost and a draper tied under his tie. His head is turned slightly, giving the portrait a more casual, realistic feel, yet there is no mistaking his position of power in this confident portrayal.
Louis XV, also called “Louis the Beloved,” ruled as King of France from September 1, 1715 until his death in 1774, succeeding his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until the young Louis...
Category
19th Century Antique Rococo Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Rococo sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Rococo sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rococo sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Interi, Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kändler, and Michel Victor Acier. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $240 and tops out at $195,000 while the average work can sell for $2,497.