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.
18th century Venetian Rococo Armchair
Located in Troy, NY
18th Century Venetian Rococo Armchair. A delicate armchair of typical form, with beautiful lines and proportions and delicately carved details. Ex Metropolitan Museum of Art. For an ...
Walnut
Italian Venetian Armchairs, Red Wood with Gilt Details, 18th Century
Located in Queens, NY
3 Italian Venetian (18th Century) armchairs with red painted wooden frames with carved giltwood embellishments and beige and pink toile-patterned upholstere...
Giltwood
Italian Venetian Armchair, 18th Century
Located in CH
18th century Italian Venetian carved walnut armchair.
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Painted Open Armchair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A charming early 19th Century Swedish Rococo open armchair, Circa 1800. With an elegant pierced splat and shaped back framed by sweeping open arms. The painted frame retains a beauti...
Wood, Paint
A Fine Venetian Rococo Polychrome Open Armchair, 18th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Venetian Rococo Polychrome Open Armchair 18th Century With upholstered back and seat on cabriole legs ending in scrolled toes Height 41 ½ in. width 29 in. Depth 21 in. C...
18th c., Italian Rococo-style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and gilded, Italian, open-arm, Rococo-style armchair with cabriole legs and elegant, serpentine arms. Top rail boasts a foliate relief carving.
Cotton, Walnut
A Rare Solid Ebony Rococo Armchair, Colonial Portuguese
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Rare Solid Ebony Rococo Armchair Colonial Portuguese 19th Century The shaped back with a carved central floral design on the crest and a lower leaf design, with two scrolling arm...