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.
Pair of 1920s Continental Upholstered Ottomans with Carved S-Scroll Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Rococo style Continental 1920s white painted ottomans with S-Scroll legs. Elevate your home with this stunning pair of Continental ottomans, boasting elegant Rococo influen...
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Italian Giltwood Bench with Exaggerated Legs
By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
Italian giltwood bench with exaggerated legs. Stunning Italian gilt wood bench with exaggerated legs. This 1920s Italian bench was taken down to...
Giltwood, Velvet
Round Ottoman Wood Structure Fabric or Leather Matching fringes
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Upholstered in high quality velvet in a delicate pastel colour, this pouf has a refined design. The central band, decorated with an intricate geometric pattern reminiscent of the Tri...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$3,900
H 19.5 in W 52 in D 21 in
French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Semi-Circular Bench, Jacob-Inspired Model
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Semi-Circular bench, Model inspired by Georges Jacob. Resting of giltwood legs carved in the neo-classical vernacular mastered by Georges Jacob, ma...
Wood
Tufted Leather Round Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
Tufted leather round ottoman with antiqued brown full-grain leather. Dimensions: 36" W x 36" D x 16" H Color variation is common and accept...
Leather
$3,600 / set
H 18.5 in W 29 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Pair of Newly Upholstered Coral Parsons Benches Ottomans Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of 1970s parsons stools, benches, ottomans. Newly upholstered in a. fabulous coral fabric. Dimensions: 18.5 H x 29 W x 18.5 D.
Upholstery
$3,000 / set
H 18 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Billy Baldwin X bases decorative Upholstered benches c1970s MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Billy Baldwin X bases decorative Upholstered benches c1970s MINT
Upholstery
Vintage Yellow Upholstered Ottoman with Casters
By Laura Ashley
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage 20th c., small upholstered ottoman in yellow with dainty white floral print, on turned mahogany legs, ending on casters, unmarked, The solid wood legs with turned details a...
Brass
Upholstered Ottoman
Located in Madison, MS
This lovely upholstered ottoman features black, white, and tan stripes and four black painted legs. It is in great shape and seems practically new...
Fabric, Wood
$1,995 / set
H 19.75 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in
Pair Rustic Full Grain Leather Upholstered Ottoman Stools with Nailhead Trims
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful Pair of Full Grain Leather Upholstered and distressed by design, ottomans / Stools with Nail Head Trims. Full grain leather on top and pure brown suede leather on the side....
Leather, Suede
$4,633 / item
H 17.72 in W 57.09 in D 15.75 in
Red Aluminium Bench with Lapping Cane Seating from Anodised Wicker Collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Originally realised for the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield and inspired by Donald Judd and Børge Mogensen, Anodised Wicker marries industrially extruded and anodised aluminium with ha...
Aluminum
$2,186
H 14.57 in W 14.18 in D 16.15 in
Antique English Bobbin Turned Hexagonal Upholstered Stool Ottoman, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Antique English Bobbin Turned Hexagonal Upholstered Stool Ottoman circa 1920. In good condition commensurate of age.
Upholstery, Oak
Famed Ottoman in Leather Brass and Wood
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Combining functionality with elegance the hidden leather pouffe is an accompaniment of comfortable seating to your furnishings. Measures: length: 27.9'...
Metal
$1,100
H 19.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
Swedish Modern Style, Beige Sheepskin, Stained Wood, Ottoman or Footstool
Located in Manhasset, NY
Swedish Modern Style, Beige Sheepskin, Stained Wood, Ottoman or Footstool, USA, 21st C. Contemporary organic form tri-pod stool or ottoman. New comfortable foam cushioning and beige...
Sheepskin, Wood
$3,116 / item
H 18.12 in W 55.12 in D 20.87 in
Saber Legs Walnut Wood Leather Milk Color Bench Customizable Upholstery and Wood
By Pescetta
Located in IT
Saber legs walnut wood milk light color seat bench, Customizable upholstery and wood. Other colors and upholstery are available. Italian artisanal production by Pescetta Home Decoration. Walnut wood bench...
Leather, Walnut
1970s Venetian Style Heavily Carved Tufted Velvet Ottoman / Coffee Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Venetian style heavily carved ottoman. The tufted velvet upholstery is original and shows light wear but is free from tears or stains. The piece is unmarked.
Velvet, Fruitwood
Sold
H 15.75 in Dm 25.99 in
Impressive Circular Embroidered Pouffe by Designer Marcel Wanders for Moooi
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Jester Pouf by Marcel Wanders for Moooi From The Boutique Jester Range Made of Fabric and Steel 2005 Fabric is teflon treated and has a fire retardant coating. "It is only the jest...
Silk
Handsome Oversized, Theodore Alexander Upholstered Rococo Style Ottoman
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an oversized newly upholstered Rococo inspired ottoman by Theodore Alexander. This ottoman has an ornate hand carved Rococo style frame with soft curved feet. The Ottoman is ...
Wood
Sold
H 18 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Late 18th C. North Italian Wonderfully Carved Upholstered Rococo Style Bench
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This great looking late 18th century Italian bench features an upholstered seat covered with nail head trimmed tasteful brokade above the exceptionally detailed carved frame and the ...
Brass
Italian Rococo Walnut Upholstered Bench, Mid 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a drop-in upholstered cushion atop a solid walnut frame, the bench Rococo inspired shaped legs.
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Upholstered Ottoman Stool
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century French Napoleon III upholstered ottoman stool. Unusual French ottoman stool in black lacquer with fine gilt decoration. It dates from the 19th century Napoleon III pe...
Textile, Wood
Italian Walnut and Upholstered Rococo Footstool, Mid 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a brown velvet upholstered top trimmed in patinated nailheads, the shaped apron supported by cabriole legs terminating in upturned raised pad feet.
Walnut
Sold
H 7 in W 14 in D 12 in
Pair of Italian Provincial Late 18th Century Rococo Carved Walnut Foot Stools
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This pair of Italian provincial 18th century foot stools are fashioned in a transitional rococo style dating to around 1780, They feature carv...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Italian Hand Carved and Silk Upholstered Ottomans, circa 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Italian hand carved and silk upholstered ottomans, circa 1950s Finely carved and upholstered benches / ottomans. Each seat is covered in a beautiful peach silk upholste...
Silk, Walnut
Sold
H 19 in W 21 in D 21 in
1950s Vintage Italian Rococo Style Ottoman with Cabriole Legs and New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian vintage Rococo style pinewood ottoman from the mid-20th century, with cabriole legs, cross stretcher and new linen upholstery. Born during the midcentury period, this exquisite Italian ottoman / stool features a square shaped seat, upholstered with a new linen fabric with single button. The stool is raised on four cabriole legs, ornately carved with volutes, and connected to one another through a curving cross stretcher. With the light color of its pinewood and elegant rococo style silhouette, this Italian midcentury ottoman...
Upholstery, Pine
Louis XV Style Carved and Gessoed Bench
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful piece, with great proportions and style. Fully carved as only the French can do it. The height makes this a great item as a window bench, to use at the foot of a bed...
Cowhide, Gesso, Wood
Italian Giltwood Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly decorative pair of Italian 19th C carved gilt wood alter sticks in the shape of urns which were later converted into table lamps with custom painted tin shades. There is some ...
Metal