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Rococo Musical Instruments

ROCOCO STYLE

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.

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Style: Rococo
Late 18th Century Cousineau Single Action Pedal Harp
By Georges Cousineau
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1770s pedal harp manufactured by Georges Cousineau (1733-1800), a French luthier who specialized in harps; Cousineau's signature is present on the soundboard as well as the city o...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Rococo Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood

Rococo Style Steinway Model B Grand Piano Hand-Painted Scenes Fete Galante
Located in Leeds, GB
Rococo Style, 1904, Steinway Model B grand piano. Music desk is in a cut-out latticework design with a central lyre motif decorated with draping swag...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rococo Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rococo Style Steinway Centennial Concert Grand Carved Rosewood
Located in Leeds, GB
Rococo style, 1874, Steinway & Sons Centennial concert grand piano with a rosewood case, filigree music desk and ornately carved, reverse scroll legs. Piano is rebuilt. The piano cheek features a carved, Classical meander and acanthus in high relief. The two-pedal piano lyre features carved inverted fish, c-scrolls and a central cartouche. The music desk in an openwork arabesque design and a central lyre motif. A sinuous wave pattern double moulding surrounds the cabinet base. At the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there were several manufacturer's competitions, including a piano competition. The Steinway company sent two grand pianos displaying their latest developments, demonstrating the firm's innovative and markedly improved piano quality. Their determined pursuit of quality was rewarded at the world exhibition with a gold medal. Steinway won the competition against several established, well-known American piano makers, including Chickering and Sons and Weber. This Steinway concert grand...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Musical Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

Francke Upright Piano Rococo Style Carved Mahogany High Relief Scroll Legs
Located in Leeds, GB
Francke upright piano with a mahogany case. Entire cabinet features Rococo style, ornate carvings in high relief. The carved, front panel features a central lyre surrounded by flowers, foliage and acanthus. The piano fall has carved latticework and a central plaque carved with flowers and acanthus. Sitting on top of the cabinet is asymmetrical arcading ornately carved with rocailles, flowers, foliage and acanthus. The brass piano pedals feature acanthus scrolls. The intricately, carved piano...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Musical Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

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A German 19th Century Louis XVI Style Burr Walnut Bechstein Concert Grand Piano
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A Very Fine German 19th Century Louis XVI Style Burr Walnut Bechstein Concert Grand Piano, Serial No. 5655. The beautifully crafted Grand piano, raised on three tapered barrel shaped legs, with an intricately carved ornate music desk and original keys. Circa: 1872. Length: 80 inches (203.2 cm) Width: 59 inches: (149.9 cm) Height (top closed): 38 5/8 inches (98.1 cm) C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein. Before Bechstein Young Carl Bechstein studied and worked in France and England as a piano craftsman, before he became an independent piano maker. His first pianos were made for other companies. C. Bechstein C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on 1 October 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany. Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by the virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857, Hans von Bülow (Liszt's son-in-law) gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin By 1870, with endorsements from Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow, Bechstein pianos had become a staple in many concert halls and private mansions. By that time three piano makers, all of which were founded in 1853, became established as the industry leaders across the world: Bechstein, Blüthner and Steinway & Sons. In 1881 Bechstein began supplying pianos to Queen Victoria. A gilded art-case piano was delivered to Buckingham Palace, followed by several more Bechstein pianos to Windsor Castle and other royal residences. By January 1886 they were among the piano manufacturers holding a Royal Warrant as a supplier to the Queen. Several British embassies across the world acquired Bechstein pianos. In 1885, Bechstein opened a branch in London, that eventually grew to become the largest showroom and dealership in Europe. By 1890 showrooms had been opened in Paris, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg. On 31 May 1901, Bechstein Hall, built at a cost of £100,000, was opened next to the company's London showroom at 36-40 Wigmore Street. Between 1901 and 1914, C. Bechstein was the largest piano dealership in London. At that time, Bechstein was patronized by the tsars of Russia, the royal families of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Denmark, and other royalty and aristocracy. The list of royal clients of Bechstein may be found on the soundboard of vintage Bechstein pianos made before the Second World War. The list is part of the original Bechstein trademark logo; it can be seen under the strings in the center of a piano's soundboard. The signature of Carl Bechstein The years from the 1870s through 1914 brought Bechstein their most dramatic increase in sales. In 1880 a second Bechstein factory was opened in Berlin, and the third factory was opened in 1897 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. 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Rococo musical instruments for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rococo musical instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage musical instruments created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rococo musical instruments made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Unknown pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for musical instruments differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $375 and tops out at $159,194 while the average work can sell for $87,416.

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