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.
Venetian Rococo Armchairs Sofa set hand-carved walnut , leather upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th Century Venetian Rococò armchairs and sofa by Atelier Cadorin Venice in hand-carved walnut and leather upholstered, wax polished Al...
Leather, Walnut
$14,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Fine Pair of Italian 19th Century Rococo Style Giltwood Carved Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Italian 19th century Rococo style giltwood carved armchairs; the arched upholstered paneled backs with foliate scroll cresting and similar borders, having padded arm s...
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Italian Figural Tufted Sofa and Chair Newly Reupholstered in Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Italian Rococo Style Hand-Carved Finely Detailed Figural Lion Motif Tufted Sofa and Chair Set Newly Reupholstered in a Full Grain Italian Cognac Leather Antique Parlor Set...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$60,000 / set
Italian Baroque Burgundy 6-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 Italian Baroque style 20th c. living room / salon set with gilt wood filigree frames, & burgundy / cream upholstery with embroidered flowers.
Wood, Giltwood
$33,913Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Couple of Italian Giltwood Armchairs
Located in IT
18th century couple of Italian giltwood armchairs This refined and important pair of armchairs was made around the middle of the 18th cen...
Giltwood
$39,206
H 32.68 in W 125.99 in D 64.18 in
Millennium Four-Seat Leather Sofa with Button Tufting & Gold Finish by Zanaboni
By Zanaboni
Located in MEDA, IT
The millennium special shape sofa upholstered in leather 2261 with its curved line will beautifully fit exclusive living rooms, bringing elegance to the interior without giving up to...
Upholstery
$91,259
H 31.5 in W 165.36 in D 193.9 in
Modern Versailles Sofa Cream Leather Handmade in Italy by Fendi
By Fendi, Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Versailles Sofa Cream Leather Handmade in Italy by Fendi Plaza Versailles Materials Frame: Wood padded with Polyurethane and Fiberfill Seat: In...
Leather, Wood
$1,973
H 35.44 in W 77.56 in D 34.85 in
LUXURY VIVA ITALIAN DESIGNER TAN LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA ARMCHAiR ALSO AVAILABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this luxury Viva Italian designer tan leather 3 seater sofa. A stunning designer collection with boastful proportions. ...
Leather
$12,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 45 in W 27 in D 30.75 in
Four French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved and Aubusson Armchairs
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of four French 19th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved and Aubusson (worn) tapestry upholstered fauteuils a la reine armchairs. The banded oval back surmounted by a carved...
Tapestry, Giltwood
French 19th Century Rococo Style Armchair
Located in San Marino, CA
A Rococo style armchair from the 19th century, delicately carved with floral clasps to the crest and seat rails and to the tops of the cabriole l...
Wood
$9,651
H 28.35 in W 118.12 in D 35.44 in
4-Seater Sofa Gray Leather with Silk and Leather Cushions, Sormani Italy, 1980s
By Sormani, Luigi Sormani and Casabella Design Miami
Located in Arosio, IT
This four-seater, designed in the early 1980s by Luigi Sormani and Casabella Miami for a line of maxi-furniture destined to the United States is a comfortable one-block sofa for a luxury villa. The structure is in a warm gray leather and the fabric was especially made for this series called "Intrigue": a special very light grey silk fabric interwoven with burgundy leather threads. All cushions have grey leather inlays, entirely hand sewn. Julio Iglesias...
Leather, Fabric
$6,885
H 31.89 in W 65.75 in D 35.83 in
Vivai del Sud Sofa and Coffee Table in Curved Bamboo and Leather, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Italian Mid-Century organic sofa and matching coffee table, fully made of bamboo, leather, and maple wood. The coffee table is completed with its original smoky bronzed gla...
Bamboo, Rattan, Leather, Fabric, Cotton, Cane, Chestnut
$4,762
H 34.65 in W 79.53 in D 35.04 in
Lovely Hand Dyed Brown Leather Edwardian Style Studded Three Seat Sofa Part Set
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand dyed tan brown leather three seat sofa with ornate stud work all over The sofa is well made and stylish, the leather is fully a...
Leather
$16,238 / set
H 32.68 in W 63 in D 34.26 in
Art Deco Harry & Lou Epstein Walnut & Cream Leather Suite Sofa & Armchairs, Pair
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare Harry & Lou Epstine Art Deco three piece suite with Walnut frames and cream leather upholstery A very stylish and de...
Leather, Walnut
$10,597 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$10,475 / set
H 27 in W 70 in D 28 in
Le Corbusier LC2 Armchair + 3-Seat Sofa Set in Black Leather & Chrome, Alivar
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Alivar, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Timelessly iconic Le Corbusier LC2 set of 3-seater sofa and armchair in chrome tube steel and black leather. Made in Italy by Alivar, a highly collectible licensed / authorized produ...
Steel, Chrome
$16,328 / set
H 29.34 in W 73.04 in D 34.65 in
Restored Bordeaux Leather Chesterfield Club Suite Armchair & Sofa on Turned Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very rare handmade in England fully restored Bordeaux leather Gentleman's club suite with hand turned legs ...
Leather, Beech
French Louis XV Living Room Set 19th Century
Located in Buxton, GB
This elegant living room set from the 19th century features a glamorous Louis XV style with intricate Rocaille branding on giltwood frames. The set includes a sofa and chairs upholst...
Silk, Giltwood
Sold
H 45.5 in W 41 in D 28 in
20th Century Italian Rococo Style Carved, Gilt, Satin, Set of 3 Sofa, Bergeres!
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning sofa, Bergeres, Italian Rococo style carved and gilt, Satin Brocade, set of 3! Pair of Italian Rococo style carved bergeres, each having a parcel gilt and paint-decorated pierce carved crest rail surmounting the cabachon back, custom upholstered in cream satin brocade, leading to rolled arms, centering the drop-in seat cushion, the whole rising on a similarly carved and gilt apron and cabriole feet, 45.5" height x 41" width x 28" depth, seat 22" height. This set of three Italian Rococo style furniture is an excellent addition to any living room or parlor. The crest railed custom upholstery cabachon back sofa and chairs, matching set, are crafted from gilt wood, cream satin brocade, and paint decorated with a parcel gilt finish. The seating area with conversation area cream colored chairs...
Fabric, Wood
Living Room Set, France, Around 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, France, around 1920. Very good condition. Wood: beech Dimensions : Armchair: H: 89 cm, W: 60 cm. Height: 63cm Sofa: H: 89 cm, W: 135 cm, D: 63 cm, Seat ...
Beech
Sold
H 39.38 in W 30.12 in D 35.44 in
Pair of French Brown Heritage Leather Armchairs and Matching Ottman Footstool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of French style heritage brown leather armchairs and matching ottoman A very comfortable and decorative suite, they are based o...
Leather
Sold
H 43.5 in W 85.5 in D 32 in
Antiqued Baroque Rococo High Relief Carved Set Settee & Chairs Continental Sofa
Located in Dayton, OH
Antiqued Baroque Rococo high relief carved set settee and chairs continental sofa Exceptional Baroque Rococo designed sofa and chairs. Features hig...
Upholstery, Mahogany
French 19th Century Rococo Style Furniture Set
Located in Kastrup, DK
French furniture set. A pair of chairs and a sofa. Wood cut with original gilding. Rococo style approx. 1860. Newly reupholstered with "thick leaf...
Fabric, Giltwood, Wood
Sale Centre Sofa Carved Gilded Wood Italy, 1800
Located in Sofia, BG
Extremely Padded center sofa in carved and gilded wood Dimensions: height m. 1.05 length m. 2.60 depth cm. 80.
Giltwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 34.5 in D 38 in
Pair of 19th Century English Walnut and Leather Club Chairs with Matching Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Add comfort, beauty and charm to your living room or study with this exquisite set of antique leather salon seating. Crafted in England, circa 1890, this...
Leather, Walnut
Painted and Gilt Framed Suite
Located in Cheshire, GB
Painted and gilt framed suite, in the French Rococo style, the raised back with shaped arms and serpentine frame in shot silk damask upholstery raised up ...
Giltwood
Mid 19th C. Italian Rococo 3 Piece Painted Salon Set
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully painted Italian Rococo style Salon set with floral decoration, shaped apron, over whorl feet. Sofa: 86"w x 31"d x 40"h Chairs: 38"w x 31"d x 35"h Seating has been ...
Spectacular French Rococo Style Armchairs & Stool by Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of spectacular French Rococo style armchairs and matching stool, in distressed gold and silver gilt, the shell-form back-splat joint with scrolled arms and scalloped seat, raise...