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.
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century French from the 18th century, in carved and gilded wood. Upholstered seat, back and arms. Dim.: 112 x 169 x 60 cm. good condition
Wood
Period Louis XV Grey Painted Canape
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine sofa made in France circa 1750 is from the period of the reign of Louis XV. The carved beech wood frame is decorated with flowers and extensively modeled rails. The piece i...
Beech
BEAUTIFUL CANAPÉ LOUIS XVI STYLE 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
BEAUTIFUL CANAPÉ LOUIS XVI STYLE 19th Century French, in painted wood with gold carvings. Upholstered seat and back, resting on roll-up feet. Small defects. Dim.: 110 x 192 x 69 cm v...
Wood
18th Century Italian Rococo Painted Canape au Chasse
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie painted triple back canape in hues of red, gold, and turquoise with removable upholstered seat and back panels, 18th century, Italy.
Upholstery, Wood
Neo-Rococo Giltwood Canapé, Hand-Carved, Blue Velvet, Italy, 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Magnificent and Palatial Neo-Rococo Giltwood Canapé. The top rail exuberantly carved with a trumpeting putto seated in a conche shell surrounded by acanthus leaves and flanked by...
Giltwood
Italian 18th Century Rococo Carved Walnut Sofa or Canape
Located in Berlin, DE
Italian 18th century rococo carved walnut sofa or canape Standing on four cabriole legs with stylized foliage a carved rocaille shaped apron with a padded seat. The padded back with a carved wooden frame decorated with acanthus leaf scrolls and a cresting centered by a large rocaille. The carving presents elegance and movement in a vivid manner with powerful rocaille carving as is characteristic of Italian Rococo furniture...
Walnut
Italian Rococo Style Settee Polychromed in Green and Gold
Located in Pembroke, MA
A very stylish Italian green and gold polychromed settee in the Rococo style, recently re-upholstered in muslin.
Upholstery, Gesso, Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Rococo Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully carved sofa with original cream and yellow paint finish. Rococo detailing. New upholstery.
Fabric
Beautiful Portuguese Canape 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE CANAPÉ 18th Century 18th Century Portuguese in rosewood with carvings. Hollow back decorated with "rocaille" elements and volutes. Fabric upholstered seat. Small defects....
Wood
17th Century Walnut Sofa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.
Walnut
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
Maison Jansen Stamped Sofa, Louis XV Style, France
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare Maison Jansen stamped French Louis XV style sofa with original grey patina, and clean lined cream upholstery. Lovely classical Louis XV shape, good width, seats three comfortabl...
Wood
On Hold|$12,500
H 42.92 in W 79.53 in D 28.35 in
A Large Louis XV Period Carved Beech and Tapestry Canape, French Circa 1750
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large and Impressive Louis XV period carved beech and tapestry canape, French circa 1750 Height: 109 cm Width: 202 cm Depth: 72 cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection acqui...
Tapestry, Beech
Antique 19th C Louis XV Style Canapé Sofa in Schuyler Samperton Fabric
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Louis XV Style Canapé Sofa in Eden Serene Fabric by Schuyler Samperton
Linen, Giltwood
$18,200Sale Price|24% Off
H 39.5 in W 53 in D 25 in
Important Maison Jansen Velvet and Gilt Canapé, c. 1930s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Maison Jansen settee in emerald green velvet and gilt frame, signed underneath with remnants of Jansen stamp. Incredible collectors piece, wi...
Wood, Velvet
French Louis XVI Provençal Settee, 18th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Louis XVI Provençal settee, 18th century Painted and patinated wood frame, recent Provençal upholstery in vintage pattern. A very beautiful, p...
Upholstery, Wood
Louis XVI Style Canapé Corbeille in Painted Wood, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant canapé corbeille exemplifies the refined comfort and graceful proportions of Louis XVI–style seating. The softly rounded, basket-form back creates an inviting silhouette...
Wood
$5,950
H 36.75 in W 60 in D 31.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Painted Canapé with Yellow Damask Upholstery, 20th Cent
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful and refined French Louis XVI style canapé, 20th century, featuring an elegantly carved painted frame and upholstered in vibrant yellow floral damask. The curved, barrel-b...
Wood, Upholstery
$8,400
H 33 in W 44 in D 28 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Upholstered Canapé en Corbeille
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style giltwood canapé en corbeille from the 19th century, with carved flowers and new upholstery. Created in France during the 1...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$10,500
H 47 in W 87 in D 31 in
18th Century French Louis XV Carved Giltwood Canapé with Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room, grand entryway, or salon with this exceptional antique Louis XV sofa from the annexes of the Château de Versailles. Craft...
Tapestry, Giltwood
$3,950
H 38.5 in W 62.5 in D 31.5 in
French Louis XVI Style 1900s Light Blue Canapé en Corbeille with Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style sofa from circa 1900 with soft light blue painted finish, carved floral motif on the crest, scrolling arms and fluted legs. This French Louis XVI style sofa,...
Wood
French Canape Set from the end 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French Canape Set from the end 19th Century Sofa, chair and armchair Sofa h 122 cm x W 161 x D 60, armchair H 118 x W 70 x D 59, chair H 105 x W 54 x D 47, Good condition for the time
Silk, Wood
Amazing French Canape, Armchairs and Chairs 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French seating in partially gilded carved walnut, 19th century Composed of a sofa, a pair of corner armchairs and 4 chairs, The sofa 88 x 143 x 54cm., The armchairs 80 x 69 x ...
Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 79 in D 29 in
Italian 18th Century Rococo Walnut Sofa with Cabriole Legs and New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Rococo walnut sofa from the 18th century, with cabriole legs and new upholstery. Created in Italy during the 18th century, this walnut sofa features a rectangular back with serpentine lines, connected to two open arms with scrolling extremities. Showcasing a seat newly reupholstered, along with the back and partial arms, with a double welt linen fabric, the sofa is raised on eight cabriole legs. With its Rococo lines and walnut patina, this 18th century Italian sofa...
Upholstery, Walnut
Four Louis XV Armchairs and Sofa 19th Century Aubusson Tapestry
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Four Louis XV Armchairs and Sofa Date/Period: XIX Century Dimension: (Sofa) 105 x 168 x 78 cm. Material: Carved and gilded wood Addi...
Wool
French Baroque Style Canapé Sofa
Located in Kastrup, DK
French Baroque style canapé sofa (sofa bench). Crafted in walnut with relief carved foliage. Upholstered in light gray linen with brown trimmings.
Walnut
Painted Floral French Rococo Carved Settee Canape Sofa, circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful French-made rococo paint decorated settee with floral upholstery in good condition. The settee dates to the 1890s and is very chic and can match many different de...
Walnut
19th Century French Canapé Sofa in Rococo / Louis XV Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
French Canapé sofa in Rococo / Louis XV style. Black and gold painted oak. Upholstered with gray linen fabrics with golden embroidery.
Linen, Oak
18th Century Italian Rococo Walnut Sofa with Linen Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
Transitional Louis XVIII or Rococo sofa in walnut with turned legs and stretcher, carved shaped back and scroll arms, Italy 18th century. Dark walnut finish and grey linen upholstery.
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Venetian Red And Gilt Wood Canape
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous and unusual Antique Venetian painted sofa with gilt accents. Has great proportions, graceful arms and cabriole legs. This stunning antique Italian sofa...
Fabric, Wood
Italian, Piemontese, Mid-18th Century Carved and Painted Divano
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very deep and comfortable, the arched backrest having a pierced shell carving at the crest, the flared sides continuing to carved legs, the apron shaped and carved.
18th Century Venetian Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted and gilded 18th century Venetian settee newly upholstered with exquisite crewel fabric. The back is removable.
Fabric, Paint
19th Century French Walnut Louis XV Canape ~ Saturday Sale!
Located in Dallas, TX
This gracious Antique 19th century French Walnut Louis XV Lisette Settee exhibits great state of preservation with velvet atop hand carved French walnut elegant rococo frame with cu...
Walnut