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.
$6,269Sale 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
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
18th Century Chinese Export Corner Seat
Located in Long Island City, NY
This very beautiful chair was most likely produced in China for the English or Danish market, and exported via the East India Company. Unusual for work of this era, it still wears it...
Leather, Giltwood
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
$1,923
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
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.
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
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
Oak Art Nouveau Corner Armchair, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful and rare Art Nouveau corner armchair. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with a re-upholstered black leather seat. In very good condition with a beaut...
Leather, Oak
Italian 1950s Sculptural Single Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s beautifully sculpted single chair.
Upholstery, Wood
$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
$575Sale Price|52% Off
H 34 in W 23.5 in D 17 in
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
$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
18th Century Swedish Rococo Pair of Armchairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
18th Century Swedish Rococo pair of armchairs that have been dry scrapped to the original paint with the natural wood showing through and features new upho...
Wood, Paint
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
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