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.
$6,066Sale Price|20% Off
16th Century Italian Rococo Chair in Walnut and Velvet, Fair Condition
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
French Rococo Louis XV Ornately Carved Painted Distressed Corner Captain's Chair
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
What a sweet, delicate, carved, petite Louis XV corner chair which has been painted in antique white with gold highlights and an intentionally distressed finish. The flowing lines ar...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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.
$700
H 25.99 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Antique Rural Dutch Carved Corner Bobbin Chair with New Rush Nr2
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very charming oak Bobbin chair that fits perfect in a corner. The rush of the seat is new and therefore it is still a bit green but that will soon fade. This chair was made in the ...
Rush, Oak
$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
$675Sale 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
$2,025Sale 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
$1,445
H 32 in W 28 in D 27 in
Antique English Carved Oak Corner Chair Renaissance Arm Throne Chair Upholstery
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from England, a gorgeous 19th century carved oak corner chair. Thick, hand carved foliate back rail, with turned and carved lyre shaped supports, ending in dimensional mask handholds. Fully carved straight legs to the sides, with a wide carved apron having carved foliate and lion masks. Front carved cabriole leg with large ball and claw foot. Removable slip seat cushion features a crest flanked by rampant lions on a floral background. Skillfully hand carved design, with a rich, dark patina, this 19th century English oak corner chair...
Oak
$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
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th c. French Bobbin rush corner chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat....
Rush, Oak
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
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,685
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
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