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.
$6,203Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Italian Antique Chair, 1500s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and very rare Italian antique chair from the 1500s. In finely crafted walnut wood, red velvet and bangs, the antique chair is in its o...
Velvet, Walnut
Antique German Corner Chair, Circa 1880 – Hand-Carved Walnut with Cane Seat
Located in Almelo, NL
Antique German Corner Chair, Circa 1880 – Hand-Carved Walnut with Cane Seat A refined example of late 19th-century German craftsmanship, this antique corner chair...
Cane, Walnut
Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Corner Armchair
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine and unusual Swedish 18th century Rococo armchair in Its original colour. Ca 1770 Sweden.
Wood
$1,902
H 33.08 in W 21.07 in D 16.54 in
Antique Dutch Armchair Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Rustic
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Oak
Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...
Wood
Mid-18th Century Mahogany Corner Chair
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A large example of a mid 18th century mahogany corner chair with vase shaped back splat, good cpouor and patination.
$3,250 / set
H 36.5 in W 24.75 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Antique Swedish Monk's Corner Chairs in Oak, Circa Early 20th Century
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of rustic Swedish munkstolar, or monk’s chairs, ca. 1910-1920. Their three legged design has its origins in the medieval monasteries of Northern Europe where it was considered a...
Oak
K3 Koi Low Leather Chair
Located in London, GB
Hand made in Italy, low leather chair. Vegetable tanned hand made leather chair on a nickel plated steel base. Eight leather colors available. Cust...
Leather
$1,050
H 30.5 in W 16.59 in D 16.5 in
Antique Corner Chair, Spindle Back, Cane Seat, England, Ca. 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful antique corner chair with spindle back and stretchers. Add your own cushion to the cane seat.
Cane
Italian 1950s Sculptural Single Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s beautifully sculpted single chair.
Upholstery, Wood
American Georgian Walnut Upholstered Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American Georgian walnut corner chair with carved splat backs, carved decorative molded edge, scrolled arms, turned ringed columns, carved corner fret...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,025Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
18th Century Chippendale Corner Chair with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding 18th century Chippendale walnut corner chair features intricate marquetry inlay in a delicate floral motif. Even the back of the top rail, splats and the back of the...
Walnut
Rattan and Iron Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French sculptural rattan and iron chair. Handwoven cone shaped rattan seat sits freely inside the iron frame. One of a kind, prototype chair. Very good vintage condition.
Iron
$690Sale Price|34% Off
H 18.12 in W 16.93 in D 13 in
19th Century Hand Painted Corner Child's Armchair by "Winsor and Newton"
Located in Sofia, BG
Small corner child's armchair in the "Chinese" style, with floral decoration painted on a black background. There is "Winsor and Newton" lab...
Wood
$2,141
H 33.47 in W 22.25 in D 20.08 in
Antique Dutch Triangular Turned Bobbin Corner Chair Rush Seat Knitting Armchair
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century bobbin turned wood armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in The Netherlands. Beautiful antique bobbin/ knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Wood
Armchair Swedish Rococo Period Original Sweden
Located in New York, NY
An armchair / corner chair made during the Rococo period in Sweden 1750-1775. Original finish and an upholstered seat with a black leather. Beautiful carvings such as a shell formati...
Danish 18th Century Rococo Corner Armchair Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautiful Danish fruitwood corner armchair upholstered with versatile white fabric with small teal diamond pattern.
Oak