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.
$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
Dinning Room Chairs In Rococo Style Made In Light Mahogany & Fabric From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique dining room chairs in light mahogany with light fabric upholstery made in Rococo style from around the 1920s. Measurements in cm: H:105.5...
Mahogany
$3,999Sale Price / set|42% Off
Pair Of Danish 18th Century Rococo Chairs
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice pair of Rococo chairs, newly upholstered in leather with a vintage look. Could be bought together with another pair of Rococo chairs in...
Leather, Wood
18th Century, Italian Rococo Carved and Lacquered Wood Bench
Located in IT
18th Century, Italian Rococo Carved and Lacquered Wood Bench This bench was crafted during the Barocchetto period (Rococo) in the mid-18th century in Piedmont. Made of carved and la...
Wood
Italian, 19th Century Rococo Style Walnut Upholstered Armchair with Fine Carving
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Rococo style tall back walnut armchair from the 19th century with scrolled open arms, cabriole legs on hoofed feet and upholstery. This Italian Rococo style armchair featu...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Giltwood Stool
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Large Early 19th French Century Giltwood Stool. The stool is in very good original condition, ready for reupholstering. The top cover is fraying and will need replacing, if require...
Giltwood
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
18th Century Swedish Rococo Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A period 18th Century Swedish Rococo sofa with stylish carving and swept arms and back. Original paint with a wonderful worn patina. With minor historic restoration. With its orig...
Wood
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
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
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
18th Century Rococo Sofa, Carved Wood, Re-Upholstered Linen, Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period 18th Century Rococo sofa from the area of Lindome, Sweden. It has exquisite carving, the whole standing on cabriolet legs tapering to the ball and...
Wood
$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
Venetian 18th Century Rococo Large Walnut Side Chair
Located in Troy, NY
Of impressive large size and unusual design, the front legs of cabriole form ending in hoof-feet, connected to the shaped back-legs by wavy H-stretchers. Clean-up and wax-polish inc...
Walnut
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century French from the 18th century, in carved and gilded wood. Upholstered seat, back and arms. Dim.: 112 x 169 x 60 cm. good condition
Wood
$21,808 / 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
Italian Rococo Style Settee Polychromed in Green and Gold
Located in Pembroke, MA
A very stylish Italian green and gold polychromed settee in the Rococo style, recently re-upholstered in muslin.
Upholstery, Gesso, Wood, Paint
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
Rococo Armchair, Hand-Painted Wood, Blue Patina, Italy, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
(ONLY ONE LEFT) 19th-century Rococo-style armchair captures the essence of elegance and comfort, featuring a soft blue patina that blends seamlessly into both classic and contempora...
Wood
$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
$2,298Sale 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
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
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
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
Italian Venetian Armchair, 18th Century
Located in CH
18th century Italian Venetian carved walnut armchair.
Wood
$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
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
18th c., Italian Rococo-style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and gilded, Italian, open-arm, Rococo-style armchair with cabriole legs and elegant, serpentine arms. Top rail boasts a foliate relief carving.
Cotton, Walnut
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...
$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
$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
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
$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
A Rare Solid Ebony Rococo Armchair, Colonial Portuguese
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Rare Solid Ebony Rococo Armchair Colonial Portuguese 19th Century The shaped back with a carved central floral design on the crest and a lower leaf design, with two scrolling arm...