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.
Mid Century Modern Vintage Pink White Porcelain Pitcher Capodimonte Italy 1950s
By Capodimonte
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage pitcher from porcelain in white and pink pastel color tones by the famed Italian porcelain manufacture Capodimonte 1950s Italy. The amazing porcelain pitc...
Porcelain
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
18th Century French Pewter Pitcher
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century French Pewter Pitcher is an elaborately decorated example of fine craftsmanship in everyday items, using techniques that were passed down fr...
Pewter
German Silver and Cut-Glass Massive Claret Jug, circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century German solid silver and cut glass extremely decorative wine claret jug, of massive size, cut-glass body mounted with a silver collar profusely chased in the Roco...
Silver
Antique American Brilliant-Cut Glass & Sterling Silver Claret Jug
By The Mauser Manufacturing Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical claret jug, ca 1900. Cylindrical glass bowl with spread base and looping and notched handle. Brilliant-cut ornament including diaper, stars, and fluting. Sterling...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Decorative Pitcher by Cloutier Brothers, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
Decorative ceramic pitcher / vase by the Cloutier brothers (circa 1970s). An outer surface decorated in the Cloutier's trademark soft mauve with an e...
Ceramic
French Sarreguemines Advertising Face Jug for OVH Greer's Scotch Whiskey, 1890s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made as a premium for the British and Irish pubs, and used for water when mixing a whiskey, a scarce advertising face jug. The French Sarreguemines majolica ...
Earthenware
Antique English Cut Crystal and Silver Plate Wine Jug
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent large wine jug, wonderful quality made from a hefty piece of crystal beautifully hand-cut. The naturalistic handle is just lovely, the collar and lid smothered with ...
Silver Plate
French 18th Century Large Scale Copper Pitcher
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming French large scale copper pitcher. A terrific kitchen island oraccessory.
Copper
Antique German .800 Silver and Diamond Cut Crystal Claret Jug or Pitcher
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique claret jug is hallmarked by an unknown maker, and believed to have originated from Germany and date to approximately 1920 and done in t...
Crystal, Silver
Large English Silver Plated Holding Top / Cut Glass Claret Jug / Pitcher
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introduce a touch of 19th-century elegance to your table or bar with this exquisite English Silver Plate and Cut Glass Claret Jug from the mid-19th century. The pitcher, designed in ...
Silver Plate
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 16.75 in D 16.75 in
Large Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Center Bowl, Cherubs Scene in Relief, 20thC
By Capodimonte
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized Italian Capodimonte center bowl offers cherub garden scenes in relief with gilt highlights throughout, 20th century Measures - 3.75''H X 16.75''W X 16.75''D. A finely cr...
Porcelain
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brass Copper Watering Can, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous vintage Mid-Century Modern brass and copper watering can with a long spout. Great lines, great original condition with wonderful patina. Found at an Estate Sale in Nurembe...
Brass, Copper
$3,800
H 14 in W 15.5 in D 11.5 in
Fine 19th Century Porcelain Capodimonte Group of Cherubs and a Goat
By Capodimonte
Located in Dallas, TX
This bright Capodimonte porcelain group of four putti and a goat symbolizes abundance and the spirit of life. Capodimonte was originally an 18th century Italian porcelain...
Porcelain
$969Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.19 in W 8.27 in D 7.09 in
Antique Pugliese Ceramic Water Pitcher (circa 1890s)
Located in London, GB
Ceramic antique water jug from Puglia in the South of Italy (circa late 19th C). A delightful example of a Pugliese pitcher decorated and shaped in the trad...
Ceramic
$1,029
H 9.45 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in
Capodimonte Porcelain Decorative Item by Carlo Mollica, Rococo Style, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This scene sculpted by Carlo Mollica recalls the mythological figures of Leda and the Swan (Zeus). It is made in polychromed porcel...
Porcelain
English Crystal & Silver Plate Wine Jug
Located in Newark, England
Fine English Rococo Revival wine jug. The jug formed with a tapered crystal body intricately handcut and mounted with decorative silver plate. The lower silver-plate band of plain fo...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Chiseled Rococo Carafe in the Bohemian Way
Located in Paris, FR
Crystal chiseled decanter and its stopper. The decoration is present on all the surface of the glass, even on the stopper. It is composed of rococo shells...
Crystal
Sold
H 8 in W 4 in D 8 in
19th Cent. Choisy-le-Roy Ewer, in the Manner of Meissen, "Deutsche Bluemchen"
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very interesting Ewer in the manner of Meissen, decorated with "Deutsche Bluemchen" designs and massive raised gilded details. The Ewer has some flaws. The base is uneven, and the...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Pair Antique French Silver & Glass Claret Jugs Wine Decanter Paris France c 1880
By A. Aucoc
Located in London, GB
A beautiful pair of Antique French solid Silver and cut Glass Claret Jugs in a elegant Rococo design. The Jug has ornate shell, scroll and foliate design on the neck complimented by ...
Silver
Victoria & Albert Museum Ewer by Elkington & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
Inspired by a legend and made for one of the most prestigious institutions of the decorative arts, the Pioneer and perfecter of the electroplating process, Elkington & Co., created t...
Silver
Sold
H 14.97 in W 5.91 in D 7.88 in
Antique German Solid Silver and Cut-Glass Massive Claret Jug, circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century German solid silver and cut glass extremely decorative wine claret jug, of massive size, cut-glass body mounted with a silver collar profusely chased in the Roco...
Silver
19th Century, French Painted Tole Coffee Pot with Cherub Painted Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French, 19th century painted tole coffee pot with cherub décor, scrolled handles and finial covered lid. This French painted tole coffee pot features a tall floral painted lid, topped with an urn-shaped finial. Two large scrolled handles allow the piece to be moved with ease. The tap that is connected to the belly, is surmounted by an exquisite painted scene, depicting two chubby cherubs, engaged in a lively conversation. The cherub on the left, casually sitting on a rail, is looking at a second one who is holding a bird in his left hand. This scene is set within an oval shaped painted medallion, draped with delicate flowers. The ensemble is raised on a square base with ball feet. With its delicate Rocaille scene and lovely yellow painted color, this French 19th century coffee pot...
Tôle
Sold
H 13.39 in W 5.52 in D 6.7 in
Antique German Solid Silver and Enamel Glass Pair of Claret Jugs, circa 1890
By C. Heisler
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
DESCRIPTION Antique 19th Century German solid silver & enameled glass pair of large and decorative wine claret jugs, each baluster form glass body beautifully enameled with multi-co...
Silver
Silver Cream Pitcher by Francis David Dexter
By Francis David Dexter
Located in New Orleans, LA
Designed in an exuberant Rococo style, this large silver creamer is decorated with a flourish of beautifully chased Rococo shells, masks, scrolls and floral motifs. The exceptional j...
Silver
18th Century Pewter Pitcher
Located in Copenhagen, K
Wonderful German Rorchen, originally made for drinking game. The bottom section holds a dice.
Pewter
Antique Delft Blue and White Wine Jug
Located in Katonah, NY
A mid-18th century Frankfurt Delft jug. Decorated all around with chinoiserie garden scenes. Geometric designs incorporating broad flat strokes of dashes and...
Delft, Pottery
Meissen Lidded Coffee Pot Rococo Period, Made circa 1750
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous as well as rare LIDDED COFFEE POT. DATING: ROCOCO PERIOD MADE FIRST HALF OF 18th CENTURY (before 1750-56) MATERIAL: white porcelain, glossy finish, finest multicolored painting (figural type) TECHNIQUE: handmade porcelain SUBJECT: LIDDED COFFEE POT This very interesting ROCOCO Coffee Pot is attached to round - slightly scalloped - foot from which the hollow, pear-shaped as well as lidded porcelain part (turqoise painted) is growing out. Additionally, the pot's surface as well as lid are excellently decorated with areas in which figural scenes of rural type are painted: Talking peasants (farmers) - being situated in landscape - are presented there / some of the figurines have sat down on vats / in backgrounds there are villages visible. The pictures are framed with golden painted borders. A very particular feature is the fact that the HANDLE OF THIS COFFEE POT is decorated with a sculptured female head (a so-said Mascaron) / finally, lid's hinge and edge of lid which has Rocaille knob are covered with a FRENCH SILVER MOUNTING (hallmarked !) of period of 1750-56. A very similar COFFEE POT is described and presented in following book: Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan 1710-1810 (München 1966), pages 102 / 103 and picture 384 on plate 98. MEASURES / DIMENSIONS: height: 24.5 cm ( = 9.64 inches) width: 14.0 cm ( = 5.51 inches) - measured from handle to spout depth: 11.0 cm ( = 4.33 inches) MARKS: THIS MEISSEN COFFEE POT...
Silver