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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Italian Rococo Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully carved sofa with original cream and yellow paint finish. Rococo detailing. New upholstery.
Fabric
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
$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
18th Century French Sofa
Located in Nashville, TN
Carved frame sofa is upholstered in French gaufrage velvet.
Velvet, Wood
$1,771Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
20th Century French Two-Seated Canapé Upholstered with an Antique Wool Carpet
Located in Sofia, BG
Rare and beautiful French canapé upholstered with an antique hand knotted wool carpet. The piece is standing on four curved wood legs with brass castors at the end. We may provide a ...
Wood, Wool
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
$4,006Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 68.12 in D 25.99 in
French Directoire Grey Painted Sofa Turned Fluted Legs circa 1795 New Upholstery
Located in Epfach, DE
A handsome French Directoire sofa, circa 1800, its grey painted frame embodying the restrained elegance that marked the transition from Louis XVI refinement to Empire severity. The s...
Fabric, Wood
An Important Italian Neoclassical Painted & Parcel Gilt Canapé
Located in Sheffield, MA
An Important Italian Neoclassical Painted & Parcel Gilt Canapé First Quarter 19th Century Lombardy, Italy The back rest with paneled top rail decorated with swans flanking a founta...
Wood
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
$3,016
H 35.44 in W 49.22 in D 23.63 in
20th Century French Sofa / Canape in antique Louis Seize Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded. Semicircular ascending backrest frame with perforated rocaille crowning. Passive curved frame with richly r...
Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat Lovely antique French Louis XVI style painted and giltwood loveseat or canape. This stunning sofa is a beautiful gray color with gilt tr...
Wood
Sofa Louis XV Style 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Louis XV style gilt hand carved wood canapé from the 19th century and with silk upholstery of the period. Origin: France. Period: 19th century, Na...
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapé, Solid Oak, Cream Jacquard
Located in Astoria, NY
A refined late 19th century French Louis XVI style canapé, sourced in Rochefort, France and structurally revised in our workshop. Handcrafted in solid oak, the frame has been careful...
Fabric, Jacquard, Oak
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