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.
$1,140
Painting Reading Man
Located in Nijlen, BE
Painting of a charming man reading, painted by the Belgian artist Karel De Bauw in 1944. The frame appears much older to us, based on a Rococo model made in the 19th century. A very ...
Canvas
$2,175Sale Price|25% Off
Late 18th Century Rococo Painting by A. Calagna
By Fausto Zonaro
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 18th Century Rococo Painting by A. Calagna, no paperwork. beautifully painted in custom frame. Some separation on canvass on bottom of frame. See detailed pics and message us ...
Paint
Early 19th Century Oil Portrait of a Handsome Young Man
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century oil portrait of a handsome young man An original painting of a young man wearing his best suit of clothes. Original oil on ...
Canvas
$1,581
H 38.59 in W 28.35 in D 1.19 in
Spanish Colonial South American Painting Virgin folk art 18th C
Located in London, GB
A Spanish colonial South American folk art style painting of the Virgin and child South American Peru or Bolivia school 18th century or earlier Oil on canvas, framed size 40 x ...
Paint
$2,425
H 23.63 in W 37.8 in D 2.76 in
Painting “Venice by Moonlight” by K. Nufer, Munich Late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Painting “Venice by Moonlight” by K. Nufer, Munich Late 19th Century Magnificent antique painting in oil on canvas. Painted by K. Nufer Munich in the late 19th century. The painting...
Canvas, Wood
$2,250
H 26.5 in W 22.5 in D 2 in
James Vullo Oil on canvas .. W.P.A. /ASHCAN Portrait of a Man 1930's
By James Vullo
Located in Buffalo, NY
James Vullo Oil on canvas .. W.P.A. /ASHCAN Portrait of a Man 1930's ..Powerful image.. retains original frame, original label Albright Knox Art Gallery (A.K.G.) Buffalo NY 1938, ...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Painting Panther
Located in Paris, FR
Painting of panther made on canvas, painting made with marble dust and oil. Mixte technical by painter Carole Ivoy.
Canvas, Paint
Blue Man by Virginia Cohn Parkum (1943-2025)
Located in Southampton, NJ
Abstract Painting of Man in Blue by Artist, Virginia Cohn Parkum(1943-2025) of Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Acylic on Canvas in vibrant bold colors. Signed VC Parkum Parkum has been feat...
Acrylic
$1,380
H 21 in W 17 in D 1 in
Mid 20th Century Vintage Bruce of La Vintage Framed Photograph on Man with Hoop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous Vintage MCM Framed Photograph of Athletic Man With Hoop. Shot by thr infamour a Bruce of LA. Purchased from the estate auction of thr artist.
Glass, Wood
$4,080Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 27 in W 35 in D 1.5 in
Pair Of Scandinavian Rococo Folk Art Wooden Paintings
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of early Swedish Rococo Folk Art wooden paintings or table tops.
Wood
$550
H 8 in W 5.5 in D 0.01 in
Rajasthani Hand Painted Indian Portrait Painting of a Man in Traditional Dress
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous piece of hand-painted Folk Art created in India. This painting depicts a traditional Rajasthani man in traditional dress. He wears a decorative yellow and pink dress and s...
Paint, Paper
18th Century French Pair of Oils on Gold Leaf Panels
Located in North Miami, FL
18th century French pair of oils on gold leaf panels. One is depicting an angel playing the violin, and the other one is holding the music book.
Gold Leaf
Unavailable|$2,250
H 15.25 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
Spanish Colonial Carved Polychrome Wood Panel 18th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Spanish Colonial Religious Wood Panel, Polychromed. Panel features a kneeling saint (or possibly Christ) in prayer as an angel appears from the heavens bearing a chalice...
Wood
$4,994
H 31.89 in W 45.28 in D 0.79 in
SECOND HALF OF THE 18th CENTURY NEOCLASSICAL PAPER PEINT WITH VENUS
Located in Firenze, FI
Wonderful papier peint painted in lean tempera on paper, applied on canvas, with carved wooden frame, painted with tempera and gold paste. The papier peint represents Venus as if she...
Canvas, Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid 19th Century French Landscape With Castle Ruins
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mid 19th Century French Landscape With Castle Ruins. Gorgeous oil on linen piece. See detailed photos. Contact us for more information.
Linen, Paint
18th Century Oil Painting of an European Nobility Count
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period Rococo oil painting of count Carl Friedrich Von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth. This European nobleman was a Count (Graf in German language) and born in 1695 in Dirsdorf, Germany ...
Canvas, Wood
18th Century Oil Painting by George Morland of a MN with a Dog
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An end of 18th Century/early 19th Century oil painting on wooden panel by the British artist George Morland. This English painter born in London 1763 and deceased 1804 in the same ca...
Wood
Sold
H 24 in W 31 in D 2 in
Early 18th Century Floral Still Life, Piedmontese School with a Dog and Bird
Located in valatie, NY
An early 18th century floral still life, Piedmontese School with a dog wearing a bell collar and a bird. Framed oil on canvas. The hand painted frame appears to be original.
Canvas, Wood
Sold
H 37.75 in W 29 in D 2 in
Pair of 18th Century Portraits of Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa
By Martin van Meytens
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of oil portraits of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I of Austria 18th century, in the manner of Martin van Meytens (Dutch/Swedish,...
Paint
Rare Set of Seven 18th Century Rococo Painted Panels
Located in Calgary, Alberta
A rare set of seven 18th century Rococo hand-painted French painted canvas panels. They likely originated in a theatre as the paintings...
Canvas, Paint