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.
Old Paris Porcelain Vases with Hand-Painted Portraits and Ornate Gilt Decoration
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exquisite and rare pair of early 19th century Old Paris porcelain vases, richly adorned with opulent gilt detailing and finely executed hand-painted portraits, exemplifying the he...
Gold
18th Century Dutch Delft Earthenware Vases Pieter van den Briel’t Fortuyn
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Two 18th century delft earthenware vases signed VB (Pieter van den Briel 't Fortuyn, 1753-1759) In original condition, no restorations as you can see on the photo's. VB mark : Van ...
Earthenware
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
pair of amphorae Sevres hand painted porcelain with champlevé Origin France
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A pair of amphorae Sevres hand-painted porcelain with champlevé glaze Origin France perfect condition. The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is one of the most important and well-known European madame-de-pompadour porcelain...
Enamel
Antique Silvered Bronze Pitcher from France, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
An exquisite example of Rococo style ornamentation, this antique (circa 1890) silvered bronze pitcher comes from France. The pitcher has been adorned with spiral fluting that expand ...
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Sèvres Porcelain Garniture
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
With its exquisite paintings of putti playing sports in Arcadian landscapes, this ‘bleu celeste’ garniture demonstrates the exceptional beauty and high-quality craftsmanship of Sevre...
Ormolu, Bronze
Thomas Webb & Sons Double Overlaid White Over Yellow Etched & Acid Washed Vase
Located in New York, NY
An incredible quality Thomas Webb & Sons cameo double overlaid white over yellow etched and acid washed vase. This particular vase is of a yellow ground with white overlaid flowers, ...
Glass
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Jardinière and Vase Garniture Suite
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Sèvres style porcelain and gilt bronze jardinière and vase garniture suite French, late 19th century Measures: Vases: height 72cm, width 36cm, depth 22cm Urn: height 53cm, width 5...
Ormolu
Maiolica Bottle Cooler Joseph Hannong, Strasbourg France, circa 1771
Located in Milano, IT
Bottle cooler Manufacture Joseph Hannong Strasbourg, France, circa 1771 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) It measures 7.40 in in height x 9.64 in diam...
Maiolica
$2,010Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of 18th Century Italian Vases Decorated with Shells and Baroque Pearls
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
A pair of 18th century Italian gold leaf church altar vases decorated with fossil shells, siliquaria, and natural forming baroque pearls. The vases originally came from a church in A...
Gold Leaf
Pair 19th Century Japanese Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Torchere Floor Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of 19th century Japanese porcelain and French gilt bronze mounted thirteen-light celadon torchiere, floor lamp candelabra. Wired for ...
Bronze
$2,420 / set
Antique Porcelain Mounted Gilt Metal Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set displays many of the characteristics of the 18th century Rococo style. These include gracefulness, asymmetry, and the use of curved forms. The set, which includes a mantel clock and pair of vases, is crafted from gilt metal and is mounted with decorative porcelain plaques. The mantel clock features a gilt metal rectangular case with a break arch top. This is crowned by an urn, featuring a gilt metal stem and a pinky-red floral porcelain body, which is covered by a gilt metal lid and finial. The case is also topped by a gilt metal wreath...
Ormolu, Bronze
Gyratory III, a sand coloured ceramic rococo sculptural vessel by Jo Taylor
By Jo Taylor
Located in London, GB
'Gyratory III' is a unique ceramic sculptural vessel by the British artist, Jo Taylor. In the artist's own words: "Gyratory means moving in a circle or spiral, which relates to the...
Ceramic
Rococo Late 19th Century Pair Porcelain Vases Dresden Germany Hand-Painted
Located in Uppsala , SE
Cirka 1880 Dresden Germany Dresden porcelain refers to an artistic movement within porcelain making, rather than a specific manufacturer, and is associated with the city of Dresden,...
Porcelain
Floral Painted Antique Glass Vase by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in London, GB
Floral painted antique glass vase by Baccarat. French, 19th century. Measures: height 45cm, diameter 18cm. By the exceptionally highly-regarded ...
Glass
Sevres Ormolu-Mounted Covered Vase of Cupid and Cherubs
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
Sevres Ormolu-Mounted Covered Vase of impressive size depicting cupid and two cherubs in a lush and colorful garden on both sides. The glazed painting applied bursts with bright and ...
Ormolu
Blue Serves Pair of Jeweled Vases with Gilt Paint and Turquoise
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
Blue Serves Pair of Jeweled Vases with Gilt Paint and Turquoise embellishments throughout. Incredibly ornate with gold painted details throughout. Both vases contain genre scenes wi...
Gold, Bronze
$752Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Chelsea Derby Lettuce Form Sauce Boat, circa 1760
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Chelsea Derby Lettuce Form Sauce Boat, circa 1760, leaf-shaped body with a scalloped rim, hand-painted floral design with colourful flowers and green leaves, handle is ...
Porcelain
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Jardiniere and Vase Garniture
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This exquisite, three-piece garniture will make a wonderful addition to a mantelpiece, niche or table, where its fine design and craftsmanship can be properly enjoyed. The garnitur...
Ormolu, Bronze
Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase Signed Sèvres, Painted by Collot, France
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, e. collot
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Porcelain and gilt bronze vase signed Sèvres, painted by Collot, France, late 19th century.
Bronze
Rococo Porcelain White Flowers Herend Large Two Handled Vase Hand-painted 1950
By Herend
Located in Uppsala , SE
A Large Vintage Vase Herend Hungary 1950-1960 according to a mark Delicately hand-painted wit various beautiful flowers 2 handles have Baroque style shape and richly gilded Height...
Porcelain
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Vase in the Manner of Sèvres
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze mounted porcelain vase in the manner of Sèvres, French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 123cm, width 53cm, depth 42cm This large porcelain vase demonstrates the b...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique pair of gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain cachepot vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Antique pair of gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain cachepot vases French, 19th Century Height 24.5cm, width 17cm, depth 15cm...
Ormolu
Large Sèvres Style, Mounted and Gilt, Painted Porcelain Vase
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
A large Sèvres style, mounted and gilt, painted porcelain vase French, Early 20th Century Height 132cm, diameter 37cm This exquisite piece is a beautiful Sèvres style porcelain ...
Ormolu
Baccarat Opaline Glass Lamp, Vase Formed with Floral Decoration
By Baccarat
Located in London, GB
A Baccarat opaline glass lamp, vase formed with floral decoration French, 19th century Measures: Lamp: height 74cm, diameter 19cm Shade: heig...
Brass
Ormolu-Mounted Rococo Style Antique Marble Urn
Located in London, GB
This exuberantly designed lidded urn is carved in veined green marble. The body of the urn is of canted ovoid shape and mounted with twin acanthus leaf ormolu handles. The body of th...
Marble, Ormolu
Two Large Rococo Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Jugs
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
These jugs (ewers) are magnificent works of decorative art which measure an impressive 1m (39 inches) in height. In their decoration, the jugs are clearly inspired by 18th century Ro...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Antique Porcelain Vase-Form Lamps with Floral Decoration
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique porcelain vase-form lamps with floral decoration Continental, 19th Century Lamps: height 57cm, width 18cm, depth 16cm Shades: height 22cm, diameter 39cm With twin handles and painted floral decoration, these fine porcelain lamps...
Brass