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.
$1,122
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
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
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
1900s, Gilt Framed Madonna of the Chair Painting Print on Wood
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in Germantown, MD
The Madonna Della Sedia commonly known as the Madonna of the chair is a painting by an Italian artist Raphael dating back to 1513 -1514. It is currently hou...
Hardwood, Giltwood
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
Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring can be ide...
Metal
$1,257Sale 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
$2,495
H 15 in W 12 in D 0.75 in
Russian Icon Painting Theotokos Vladimir Madonna Mother Mary Child Jesus Christ
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully engaging, darkly nuanced Theotokos of Vladimir Russian icon (or possibly Our Lady of Kazan Icon/Mother of God of Kazan) tempera painting (and possibly gold leaf) on a wooden panel featuring the Madonna (Mother Mary) and infant child (a baby Jesus Christ) in her arms. Theotokos is the term for an Eastern icon...
Wood, Paint
$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
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
$354Sale Price|50% Off
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 3.15 in
Rare Oil Painting on Canvas by Tullio Grassi "Old Man with Pipe"
Located in Manzano, IT
Splendid authentic work by Salerno master Tullio Grassi (1921-1999), entitled "Old man with pipe." The painting is a masterful example of the author's expressionist style, capable ...
Canvas, 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
$885
H 6.75 in W 5 in D 0.25 in
Large Antique Oval Hand Painted Portrait of a Woman on a Porcelain Wall Plaque
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand painted portrait is unsigned, but done in Europe, most likely Austria or Italy in circa 1890 in the period Victorian styl...
Porcelain
$1,900
H 10 in W 25.5 in D 1 in
Late 19th Century Wood Framed Folk Art Painting Depicting Hound Dogs by River
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Wood Framed Folk Art Painting Depicting Hound Dogs by River. The two dogs are hunting water fowl. Wood framing is modern. United States, 1...
Canvas, 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
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