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.
Victorian Armchair in Mahogany, Wheels & Colorful Fabric, England, Early 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming late Victorian mahogany armchair featuring a high, button-tufted back and gracefully scrolled arms. The fabric is in a tasteful yellow-and-red striped fabric, the chair is...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Danish Art Nouveau Easy Chairs in Floral Embroidered Velour, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
A pair of Danish lounge chairs from the 1920s, featuring a sculptural wood frame and generously upholstered in velour with a bold floral pattern. The upholstery combines beige and gr...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Rococo Fauteuils / Armchairs in Walnut, Italy, circa 1750
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Rococo period fauteuils, with needle-point linen slip covers, serpentine back and scroll arms ending in cabriole legs.
Upholstery, Walnut
Elegant 18th Century Tuscan Rococo Daybed, Newly Upholstered
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant 18th century Tuscan Rococo daybed, newly upholstered.
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Italian rococo style painted and upholstered lounge chairs, 19th century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of Italian rococo style painted and upholstered lounge chairs, 19th century. These tub style chairs having shapely frames including lovely aprons and an old painted finish. Fa...
Upholstery, Wood
Luxurious Antique Italian Lounge Chairs in Rococo / Baroque Style Brown Beige
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A wonderful pair of luxurious antique Italian lounge chairs in Rococo / Baroque style. The chairs are recently re-upholstered and have a royal a...
Fabric, Wood
$3,000 / set
Pair of Louis XV Style Lounge Chairs by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Chicago, IL
Bring a touch of timeless French elegance to your home with this pair of Henredon Louis XV–style lounge chairs. Each boasts a beautifully cerused oak carved frame, from the graceful ...
Oak
Carved Rococo Style Silver Tufted Chair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, antique style carved, tufted chair. Newly upholstered in silver-gray sheen fabric. Frame has a dark silver painted finish.
Satin
A Fine Venetian Rococo Polychrome Open Armchair, 18th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Venetian Rococo Polychrome Open Armchair 18th Century With upholstered back and seat on cabriole legs ending in scrolled toes Height 41 ½ in. width 29 in. Depth 21 in. C...
$6,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 80.32 in D 35.44 in
Newly Upholstered Daybed by Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Bonaccina
Located in Berlin, DE
Daybed by Bonacina in newly upholstered white fabric.
Fabric, Upholstery
Pair of 18th Century Italian Walnut Armchairs, Circa 1750
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of Louie XV style hand carved walnut chairs with 17th century wool tapestry upholstery. These are of generous proportions, very sturdy and comfortable....
Tapestry, Walnut
$9,950 / set
H 36.82 in W 29.93 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Upholstered Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs, Europe 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
This elegant pair of lounge chairs is an interesting bridge between the 20th century’s earlier artistic movements like Art Deco, and the modernist movement that was about to shape mo...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
Pair of Scandinavian Armchairs, Marked, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of Scandinavian armchairs with velvet cushions are made of exotic wood. These armchairs have a nice design and are marked. The...
Wood
$2,372 / set
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 30.32 in
Danish Art Deco 2 Club Chairs Almost Identical of Dark Wood and Velour, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Fritz Hansen, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
2 Almost identical club- or lounge chairs made in Denmark, 1930s-1940s. The frames are made of steam bend and dark stained wood, upholstered with che...
Velvet, Wood
$4,285Sale Price|40% Off
H 42.92 in W 29.93 in D 35.44 in
Danish Cabinetmaker Wing Back Chair in Wool Velour, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
The practical and comfortable designs of Danish cabinetmakers defined mid-20th century modern seating. The Danish Cabinetmakers focused on minimalist design executed by expertly skil...
Wool, Velvet
Pair of 1950s Upholstered Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1950s lounge or slipper chairs in the manner of Gilbert Rohde. Off-white upholstery with black lacquered wood legs. Dunbar style.
Upholstery, Wood
$5,200
H 25.6 in W 82.29 in D 41.74 in
Danish Freestanding Daybed in Rosewood with Cane and Newly Upholstered Mattress
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant freestanding daybed/sofa produced in Denmark in the 1960s. The frame is crafted in rosewood with beautifully figured grain, and the sides are fitted with cane panels that giv...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan, Rosewood
$5,500
H 27.56 in W 34.26 in D 33.47 in
Danish Cabinetmaker Lounge Chair with Velour Upholstery, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish lounge chair is an early example of Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design as well as outstanding craftsmanship with a quality that honours the materials and th...
Velvet, Wood
Swedish Designer, Lounge Chair, Oak, Fabric, Sweden, 1900s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained oak and floral embroidery fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1900s. Seat height: 18" All upholstered furniture can be reupholstered upon request...
Fabric, Oak
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Jules Leleu, Paul Follot, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of Art Deco chairs, France, 1920s. The chairs are currently undergoing restoration and the original fabric can be conserved or the chairs can be reupholstered in COM. P...
Fabric, Wood
French Rococo Louis XV Giltwood and Cane Upholstered Fireside Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Rococo Louis XV style gilded fireside club chair or lounge chair Attributed to Grosfeld House Mid-20th Century Giltwo...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Sold
H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in
1950s, Pair of Pink Swedish Rococo Bergères in the Shabby Chic Technique Chairs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1950s, the Swedish neo-Rococo, and finished in the shabby chic technique armchair is in perfect condition. Upholstered in pink fabric and an extra cushion for extra comfort also in p...
Jacquard, Beech
Sold
H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in
1950s, Pink Swedish Rococo Bergère in the Shabby Chic Technique 1
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1950s, the Swedish Neo-Rococo, and finished in the shabby chic technique armchair is in perfect condition. Upholstered in pink fabric and an extra cushion for extra comfort also in p...
Fabric, Beech
French Rococo Louis XV Giltwood and Cane Upholstered Fireside Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Rococo Louis XV style gilded fireside club chair or lounge chair Attributed to Grosfeld House, Mid-20th century Giltw...
Upholstery, Cane, Giltwood
Sold
H 33.25 in W 31 in D 25 in
French Rococo Louis XV Giltwood and Cane Upholstered Fireside Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Rococo Louis XV style gilded fireside club chairs or lounge chairs In the manner of Grosfeld House, Mid-20th century Giltwood and caning, with upho...
Upholstery, Cane, Giltwood
Sold
H 39.5 in W 33 in D 29 in
Chairs Pair of French Wingback Rococo Style Pair of Cream White Brown, France
Located in New York, NY
Chairs pair of French wingback Rococo style pair of cream white brown, France. A pair of wingback chairs made during the early 1900s in Franc...
Wood
19th Century Venetian Rococo Style Round Salon Armchair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century Italian Venetian salon armchair featuring a round barrel form made in the Rococo taste. Beautifully carved ribbon frame with old lacquer remnants in a celado...
Linen, Wood
1960s French Rococo Style Low Bergere Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
1960s French Rococo style low bergere chair. One available in excellent condition. Original gilded finish taken back to a pale blond finish. These low chai...
Wood
Louis XVI Massive Hardwood Carved Armchair, Pink Fabric
By Louis Seize
Located in Sofia, BG
Louis Seize armchair, 18th-19th century. Century massive hardwood frame, richly carved in the bas-relief, gold leaf, turquoise version later, freestanding papered with pink fabric...
Sold
H 31 in W 25 in D 27 in
SEASONAL DEAL-Pair of 1940s Carved Walnut Italian Style Bergère Velvet Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of amazing 1940s salon lounge chairs is in truly remarkable condition, and so stylish and funky! The striped velvet upholstery is framed by the ornately carved walnut details.
Velvet, Walnut, Wood
A Fine Pair of Louis XV Bergeres
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of large scale Louis XV bergeres, each with finely carved frames and painted in off white / grey.
Pair of stunning Italian Voltaire Roccoco chairs circa 1860
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A pair of 19th century Italian Voltaire chairs. Beautifull carved details and craftsmanship is put in these Roccoco styled chairs. The chairs have their original gold paint and...
Wood, Upholstery