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.
Baroque Meissen Porcelain Group Four Children Playing Music, J.J. Kaendler, 1770
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meissen piece from the time the model was created: Four children in festive rural rococo clothing on a high, tiered round base, decorated with a leaf wreath and ribbon fest...
Porcelain
Meissen Rococo Genre Group, The Happy Parents, by M.V. Acier, Germany, 1924-1934
By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century: Young mother in elaborate Rococo house dress: Ruched wide long skirt, bodice, fitted frilled coat with hood, the upswept hair...
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
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive clock garniture set consists of a central clock and a pair of flanking vases. The three pieces are extremely finely decorated with painted cartouches of fly...
Ormolu
Meissen Winter Season's Figurine C 83 Kaendler Kändler Johann Joachim Made 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable figurine: Winter Measures / dimensions: height 8.07 inches / 20.5 cm diameter of base 2.36 inches / 6.0 cm Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (glazed bottom) First quality Dating: 19th century / made circa 1880 Material: porcelain, glossy finish, multicolored painted Technique: handmade porcelain Style: Rococo Modelled by: Johann Joachim Kaendler (born in 1706 near Dresden / Germany-died 1775 in Meissen). Model C 83 created in period 1768-1770. Kaendler was chief sculptor at Meissen manufactory as from 1742 until the year 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created well-known series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer), Gallant Figurines, Asian Figurines etc. Additionally, Kaendler made, too, excellent models of animal figurines as well as of stunningly decorated vases. Detailed description: The Winter is of very interesting appearance / it is a long-bearded nude old man...
Porcelain
German KPM Porcelain Plaque of an Interior Bedroom Scene
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in London, GB
German KPM porcelain plaque of an interior bedroom scene German, late 19th century Dimensions: Frame height 38cm, width 44cm, plaque height 26.5cm, width 31cm This fine porcelai...
Giltwood, Porcelain
Meissen Motto Child by Acier Vintage Je Les Ramène, circa 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen very lovely figurine: Motto Child By M.V.acier / Je Les Ramène (= I'll Get Them Back). Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (underglazed). First qua...
Porcelain
Meissen Scent Bottle Rocaille En Miniature Watteau Pictures Painted Made
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen nicest rare scent bottle en miniature Please note: Abundantly painted with Watteau scenes! Manufactory: Meissen Dating: made during first half of 19th century (circa 18...
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 Bucolic Festival Figurines Cherubs Couple Musicians Acier, C 59, 1870
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen stunning tall figurine group: the bucolic festival (seven figurines) MEASURES: height: 14.56 inches diameter of base: 7.87 inches Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (glazed bottom) model number C 59 / former's number 163 / painter's number 4 FIRST QUALITY Dating: 19th century / made circa 1870 Material: porcelain, glossy finish, multicolored painted Technique: handmade porcelain Style: Rococo MODELLED BY: MICHEL VICTOR ACIER (1736-1799) The sculptor was born at Versailles / France. He had studied Art of Sculpture in Paris and was appointed as sculptor of Meissen Porcelain Manufactory then (1762). Acier created many models generally in style of Rococo and specially in Watteau style. Finally, the sculptor became Model Master of the Saxon King in year 1780, moving to Dresden then. - MODEL C 59 CREATED CIRCA 1768 - 70. DETAILED DESCRIPTION: THE BUCOLIC FESTIVAL, CONSISTING OF SEVEN FIGURINES ° there is a young female lute player attached to top piece, adored by a ° boyish gallant figurine, who is presenting a hat to her, filled with flowers' blossoms (the hat had been laid on ground) ° cherub with tambourine, riding on billy goat ° a further cherub, fondling the billy goat ° a third cherub, seizing a ribbon as well as a bird ° man with wine bottle and violin ° woman with wine...
Porcelain
Meissen Allegory of Winter Four Cherubs Model 2495 Johann J. Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen stunning figurine group: Allegory of Winter Model 2495 Measures: Height: 6.69 inches (= 17.0 cm) Width: 7.28 inches (= 18.5 cm) Depth: 4.64 inches (= 11.8 cm) Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (glazed bottom) Model number 2495 First quality Dating: 19th century / made circa 1870 Material: porcelain, glossy finish, multicolored painted Technique: handmade porcelain Style: Rococo Modelled by: Johann Joachim Kaendler (born in 1706 near Dresden / Germany - Died 1775 in Meissen). Model 2495 created circa 1757. Kaendler was chief sculptor at Meissen manufactory as from 1742 until the year 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created well-known series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer), Gallant Figurines, Asian Figurines etc. Detailed description: Subject: Figurine group / Allegory of Winter Four cherubs heating up at blazing fire: ° head and thighs of cherub having taken place on a rock are partially covered with purple red fur coat...
Porcelain
Bing and Grondahl Figure of Oluf Poulsen as Henrik, Holberg Collection
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bing & Grondahl Oluf Poulsen in the role of Henrik, B&G 8001 Ludvig Holberg 1884 "Henrik" Masquerade (Limited Edition 500 pcs.) Measures 18.5 cm. In perfe...
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
Porcelain Clock in the Louis XV Style by Jacob Petit
By Jacob Petit
Located in London, GB
This antique porcelain mantel clock demonstrates the 19th century nostalgia for the delicately elegant decorative arts under King Louis XV, also known as the Rococo style. Crafted by celebrated porcelain artist Jacob Petit, this exquisite clock is particularly notable for the way in which the porcelain has been shaped so as to give the clock such a whimsically free-spirited, scrolling shape. The clock is formed as a clock case upon a lower base, which are both decorated as a though a singular piece with green glaze on a white ground, accented with painted floral panels and extensive gilt highlights all over. The clock case, which is particularly exuberant in design, features a central, circular clock dial. The white enamelled dial is bordered with beaded ormolu, and features black Roman numerals and the inscription 'Scherer'- the name of the 19th century Parisian clock...
Porcelain
Early Meissen Round Group of Gardener Children, by J.J. Kaendler, 1763-1774
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen porcelain group from the time of origin: Four children in festive, rural rococo clothing on a three-part rocaille base: on the central raised pedestal a girl with a basket o...
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
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
Meissen Seasons Figurines Cupids Allegory of Spring Model 2502 Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen lovely figurines of stunning appearance: Cherubs presented as allegory of spring (= seasons' group of figurines) Model 2502 Measures: height 6.89 inches (17.5 cm) widt...
Porcelain
Collection of Lomonosov Porcelain Figurines with Winter Sports Subject
By Lomonosov
Located in London, GB
These delightful porcelain figurines were created in Russia in the 1950s. Included in this set are two models depicting a boy and girl holding skis, and a small figure of a boy playing ice hockey. These three figurines...
Porcelain
Meissen Tall Motto Child Je Les Mets a Calme G 29 Acier Marcolini Period
Located in Vienna, AT
MEISSEN VERY LOVELY FIGURINE: MOTTO CHILD BY M.V.ACIER / JE LES METS A CALME ( = I'M CONCILIATING AND I'M SOOTHING ) Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword Mark (...
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
Meissen Porcelain Group Four Gardener Children Playing Music, J.J. Kaendler 1850
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meissen piece from the time the model was created: Four children in festive rural rococo dress on a high, stepped round pedestal, decorated with a leaf wreath and bow festo...
Porcelain
Meissen Figurines Cherubs Wine Growers Model C 60 by Acier Made circa 1870
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous figurine group: Cherubs as Wine Growers The details are stunningly sculptured = finest modelling! Design: Michel Victor Acier (1736-1799) / model C 60 created 1...
Porcelain
Commedia dell´Arte Collector´s Edition Book
Located in München, Bavaria
This collector´s edition book is a pictoral history of the Commedia dellÁrte figures by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory made in porcelain.
Paper