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.
Rococo Painting by A. Calagna, Late 18th Century, France, Framed Art
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
$1,259Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 13.39 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
Pair of French 18th c. Painted Screen Panels
Located in Houston, TX
Two panels of a French 18th C. Painted Screen. Depicting scenes of a landscape. A timeless piece rich in history and detail—bringing old-world charm and artistry into any space. Normal wear and tear for the age of these panels. Painted panel screens...
Pine, Paint, Canvas
Framed 18th-Century Painting with 1794 Note, Germany, Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming and historically evocative framed painting accompanied by an original parchment document dating to 1794. The handwritten note, preserved behind the painting within the fra...
Wood
18th Century Spanish Colonial Oil Painting: Virgin of Mercy
Located in London, GB
18th Century Spanish Colonial Oil Painting on Board A characterful Spanish Colonial devotional painting, oil on board, dating to the 18th century. The work depicts the Virgin of Mer...
Paint, Wood
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
Pair of French 18th c. Painted Screen Panels
Located in Houston, TX
Two panels of a French 18th C. Painted Screen. Depicting scenes of a landscape. A timeless piece rich in history and detail—bringing old-world charm and artistry into any space. Normal wear and tear for the age of these panels. Painted panel screens...
Canvas, Pine, Paint
Pair of French 18th c. Painted Screen Panels
Located in Houston, TX
Two panels of a French 18th C. Painted Screen. Depicting scenes of a landscape. A timeless piece rich in history and detail—bringing old-world charm and artistry into any space. Normal wear and tear for the age of these panels. Painted panel screens...
Canvas, Pine, Paint
18th Century Naive Landscape Painting, Folk Art, Unknown Origin
Located in Montreal, QC
An 18th century naive landscape, in the middle ground is a neoclassical structure and round tower, the forerground with an extensive landscape depictin...
Paint
$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
19th Century French folk-art militaria painting
Located in London, GB
19th Century French folk-art militaria painting 19th Century piece of French folk-art militaria art, gouache on paper in its original frame still with vibrant colours and detail as ...
Paper
$14,088
H 44.49 in W 59.85 in D 2.37 in
18th Century Oil on Canvas Venetian Architectural Capriccio Landscape Painting
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian school of the mid-18th century. Oil on canvas painting depicting an invented landscape composition of remarkable pictorial quality. On the right is a ruined building, probab...
Canvas
$5,341
H 36.23 in W 59.06 in D 0.79 in
Late 18th century Decorative double sided Swedish Folk biblical wall hanging
Located in London, GB
A large size decorative Swedish folk art painted wall hanging-Bonad which may have been originally from a church. Painted on canvas in natural pigments it depicts naive biblical them...
Canvas
Sold
H 11.97 in W 10.24 in D 1.97 in L 11.97 in
Italian Silver Gilt Roberto Ferruzzi Plaque Madonnina or Madonna Of The Streets.
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Italian gold foil bas-relief plaque depicting the Madonnina (also known as the "Madonna of the Streets"), famously originally painted by Roberto Ferruzzi. It features a profile depi...
Gold Leaf
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
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