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 20th Century Venetian Painted Open Armchairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 20th Century Venetian painted open armchairs. A very well proportioned oversized comfortable seat with newly upholstered casamance linen with a gold and green spiralled trim...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Rococo Style Gilt Wood Side Chairs, Late 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Each with a padded back and seat, upholstered in greenish fabric with flower pattern, the shell-carved front seat rail raised on leaf-carved cabriole legs.
Giltwood
$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
18th Century, Pair of Rococo Italian Lacquered and Gilt Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
18th Century, Pair of Rococo Italian Lacquered and Gilt Wood Armchairs Measures: cm W 67 x D 73 x H 106,5. H sitting 45 cm The elegant pair of armchairs was made in Genoa, Italy, ar...
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Rococo Painted Open Armchairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A charming pair of 19th Century Swedish Rococo open armchairs. With elegant pierced splats and shaped backs framed by sweeping open arms above generously proportioned seats. The lat...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Portuguese Rococo Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A decorative pair of early 19th Century Portuguese Rococo walnut side chairs. With elegant shaped backs centred by finely pierced and carved splats, the crests surmounted by scrolli...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,800Sale Price|35% Off
Armchair Swedish Rococo Style Black Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Rococo Style Black Sweden. A generous sized armchair made in the Rococo style. Carved back splat decorated with a rocaille. S shaped leg...
Pine
Vintage Swedish Rococo Italian Baroque Shell Carved Cream Painted Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Swedish Rococo Italian Baroque Style Shell Carved Cream Painted Side Chair. Item features beautiful striped upholstery, sturdy solid wood construction, stretcher supported ba...
Fabric, Wood
Walnut Fauteuil or Armchair with Contemporary Upholstery, 18th Century and Later
Located in Madrid, ES
Armchair in carved walnut wood, gilded and in its color. 18th century, with current upholstery. Armchair with light cabriolet legs secured with H-shaped chambras, curved arms decora...
Other
Set Of Twelve Italian 19th Century Rococo St. Patinated And Mecca Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and finely detailed set of twelve Italian 19th century Rococo st. Patinated and Mecca dining chairs, from Venice. Each most elegant chair is supported by two front cabriol...
Wood
18th century Venetian Rococo Armchair
Located in Troy, NY
18th Century Venetian Rococo Armchair. A delicate armchair of typical form, with beautiful lines and proportions and delicately carved details. Ex Metropolitan Museum of Art. For an ...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Painted Open Armchair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A charming early 19th Century Swedish Rococo open armchair, Circa 1800. With an elegant pierced splat and shaped back framed by sweeping open arms. The painted frame retains a beauti...
Wood, Paint
18th Century Dutch Walnut Rococo Chair Back Settee
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A super 18th century chair back settee with finely carved top rail to the triple vase back, carved front rail, and cabriole legs. Good colour and patina. Dutch, circa 1770
Upholstery, Walnut
$8,500 / set
Pair of 18th Century Rococo Armchairs
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of high-quality Rococo armchairs, made in Stockholm (Sweden) in the 1760s. The chairs feature elegant carvings in the form of rocailles on the top rail and the apron. The colo...
Elm, Pine
$2,332Sale Price|31% Off
“Don José” Style Polychromed Chair with Gilt Details, Portugal, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This Don José style chair dates to the 18th century and was produced in Portugal circa 1750. The piece is crafted in carved wood and finished with rich polychromy accented by gold le...
Wood
$8,500 / set
Pair of Rococo Armchairs made in Stockholm
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Rococo armchairs made in Stockholm around 1760/70. Featuring carvings of rocailles with pickering in both the apron and the back. The chairs are equipped with H-stretchers ...
Wood, Pine
18th Century Rococo Bergere Chair
Located in Ljungby, SE
A high-class and unusually large Rococo bergere chair, made in Stockholm during the 1760s-70s. Known for its exceptional comfort, the chair's substantial dimensions suggest it may ha...
Upholstery, Wood
Stunning Late 19th Century Carved Mahogany Gainsborough Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A superb quality late 19th century carved mahogany Gainsborough armchair, the camel high back flanked by arms with upholstered elbow pads and carved animal figures raised on carved s...
Upholstery
$6,000 / set
Pair of Rococo Stools
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Rococo stools crafted in Stockholm. Their elegant design stands out on its own, without the need for decorative carvings. The seats are removable for convenience.
Wood
$1,370 / item
19th Century Rococo Side Chairs
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Antique side chair from Italy. This keep beautiful rococo style decoration and gold paint. It is recommended for luxurious space.
Fabric, Wood
Danish Pair of Elegant Period Rococo Side Chairs (Upholstered Seats)
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Danish pair of period Rococo painted and carved-wood side chairs, with upholstered seats, from the 18th century. These antique chairs from Denmark have b...
Upholstery, Wood
$22,131 / set
Pair of Swedish 18th Century Rococo Armchairs
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A large and comfortable pair of white and green painted Rococo fauteuils (Fauteuil à la Reine), each with a cartouche-shaped back, the padded arms and ...
Wood
Set of Four Rococo Style Gilt Aluminium Chairs, 1960s
Located in Buffalo, NY
A Set of Four Rococo Style Gold Gilt Aluminium Chairs on Cabriole Legs 1960s
Aluminum
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