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
Danish Midcentury Settee in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt, made circa 1950. Backrests and seats nice and firm and frame on stained beech legs r...
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
$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
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
$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
$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
$5,962Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.44 in W 49.22 in D 31.5 in
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Almelo, NL
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s A rare and architecturally refined S18Y “Love Seat” bench by Pierre Chapo, crafted in his own worksh...
Leather, Elm
$1,943Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 38.19 in D 23.63 in
Louis XVI Antique Design French Carved Walnut Buttonback Love Seat
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Charming Louis XVI Design 19th Century French Carved Walnut Button Back Love Seat With Leaf Carved Rococo Frame
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,900
H 28.5 in W 66.5 in D 30 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Style Moss Green Sofa, Love Seat, Marco Zanuso style
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
A chic Italian Midcentury Modern style design sofa / settee in a dynamic form and with sensuous felt upholstery in moss green. Its unusual short width, low back and its sleek. low f...
Stainless Steel
Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Upholstery, Wood
Beautiful 19th Century Louis XV Gilt Carved Small Settee
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine small 19th century French Louis XV gilt hand carved settee. Fine gilding and detail.
Giltwood
Basket Love Seat
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A basket love seat style Louis XVI.
Mahogany
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