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.
French Green and Gold Boudoir Settee, Silk Love Seat A Stunning French Sofa
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Green and Gold Boudoir Settee, Silk Love Seat This Stunning French Sofa is in the Rococo style and is decorated with cherubs along the top, the settee is just large enough f...
Silk
$10,970 / set
Pair Rococo Style Parcel-Gilt Painted Settees
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Rococo style parcel-gilt painted settees. Original seat upholstery and down filled.
Upholstery, Giltwood
$5,470
H 33.47 in W 50.4 in D 42.52 in
EXTRA LARGE HOWARD GEORGE SMITH STYLE BROWN LEATHER LOVE SEAT ARMCHAiR SOFA
By George Smith, Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite George Smith Howard & Son's style love seat armchair in Italian brown leather ...
Leather
$14,500 / set
H 18.25 in W 19 in D 16.5 in
Pair of 1750s Italian Piedmontese Rococo Blue-Painted and Parcel-Gilt Stools
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Italian Piedmontese Rococo period mid-18th century painted and parcel-gilt stools from the collection of designer Gary Tisdale-Woods, with cabriole legs and upholstery. Bor...
Upholstery, Wood
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.25 in W 45.25 in D 19 in
1960s Salterini Style Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee
By Salterini
Located in Esperance, NY
Salterini style wrought iron garden patio settee. This is a very nice original Settee from the 1960s made out of wrought iron.
Wrought Iron
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
$3,000
H 42 in W 75 in D 38 in
Vintage French Knole Style Silk Down Filled High Arm Loveseat Settee Sofa Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage silk down filled loveseat / settee / sofa or couch featuring a formal tapered chaise lounge design with high rolled arms and arched back o...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Down
$2,750
H 29 in W 54 in D 28 in
Danish Mid-Century Settee or Loveseat in the Style of Kurt Olsen Style, 1950s
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Lovely and charming settee or loveseat made in Denmark, circa 1950. The style is similar to Kurt Olsen but the Designer and maker of this settee is unknown. Light but still sturdy an...
Wool, Beech
$4,895
H 37.5 in W 53 in D 27 in
Antique French Louis XVI Alpaca Mohair Love Seat Sofa with Carved Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique French Louis XVI Alpaca Mohair Love Seat Sofa with Carved Details Country: France Materials: Carved Wood, Alpaca Mohair Condition: Newly...
Alpaca, Wood
$3,650Sale Price|23% Off
H 36.5 in W 46.5 in D 25 in
Thonet Styled Patinated Bronze Settee w Leopard Print Fabric
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An intriguing patinated bronze settee in the style of Thonet's bentwood seating with leopard print fabric. Believed to be mid to late 20th Century, fabric newer. Very hefty and high ...
Bronze
$1,785Sale Price|38% Off
H 39 in W 52 in D 24 in
Louis XVI Style Settee/Love Seat, Polychromed with New Upholstery, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
19th century settee with new upholstery, polychromed in pale cream color hue. Scrolled arms with a slightly arched crest rail. Reeded straight legs.
Hardwood
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Victorian Style Outdoor Settee
Located in Pasadena, TX
Victorian-Style Wrought Iron Curved Garden Bench Charming petite wrought iron garden bench with an open and airy design featuring a scalloped, s...
Wrought Iron
Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Chrome Base Settee Sofa
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman style mid century chrome base settee sofa The sofa measures: 60 wide x 34.5 deep x 30 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height of 21 inches We take our ph...
Chrome
Rococo Style Upholstered Love Sofa
Located in Astoria, NY
Rococo style small sofa or settee, the fruitwood scrolling back rest with floral carvings, down swept arms and shaped seat with one above cabriole legs, upholstered in light blue wil...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 52 in D 18 in
Beautiful Venetian Hand-Painted Loveseat Settee with Animal Print Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Venetian style hand-painted antique green with floral motife settee having a contemporized brushed cotton animal print cushion. Seat height 17.5.
Wood
Continental Velvet Loveseat
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very comfortable Rococo style loveseat dating from the 1930s. With good weight and great proportion, having a well carved giltwood frame and a custom button tufted, quality fawn velv...
Wood