Rococo Antiquities
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.
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
1810s Norwegian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Bentwood, Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Rococo Antiquities
Terracotta
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Silver Plate
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Gold Leaf
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Carrara Marble
17th Century Spanish Antique Rococo Antiquities
Bronze
19th Century Persian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Metal, Silver, Copper
18th Century French Antique Rococo Antiquities
Iron
Early 19th Century European Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wood
Early 20th Century Rococo Antiquities
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Cut Glass
15th Century and Earlier North American Antique Rococo Antiquities
Clay, Precious Stone, Hardwood
1880s Swiss Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wrought Iron, Metal
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Canvas, Wood
Late 18th Century Brazilian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Crystal, Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Antiquities
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Rococo Antiquities
Copper