Rococo Painted Furniture
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.
1930s Swedish Vintage Rococo Painted Furniture
Plywood, Pine
1850s Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
1750s Italian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Rococo Painted Furniture
Pine
1770s Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Pine
Late 20th Century American Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1780s Austrian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Fir
1830s Austrian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Fir
1890s English Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Tin
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Fir
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Fir
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Fir
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Tôle
18th Century British Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Chestnut
20th Century American Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
1920s European Vintage Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Pine
1790s European Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Chestnut
18th Century Swiss Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Painted Furniture
Wood