Rococo Folk Art
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.
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Silver Leaf, Metal
1810s Norwegian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Bentwood, Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Metal, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Linen, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gesso, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
1790s Belgian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Hardwood
15th Century and Earlier Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood, Giltwood
1930s Swedish Vintage Rococo Folk Art
Pine, Plywood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Metal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Silver Plate, Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Giltwood, Mirror
17th Century Spanish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Rococo Folk Art
Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Carrara Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
18th Century American Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
1750s Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
1750s French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Marble