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.
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
$19,474 / set
10 late 18th Century Rococo chairs made in Stockholm
Located in SE
A set of 10 similar Rococo chairs made in Stockholm, about 1770. The chairs are made in alder, that is a very light wood. In Stockholm they made chairs that are very similar and i...
Birch
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Small Swedish 18th Century Primitive Rococo Folk Art Armchair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century Rococo Folk Art armchair from the typical main Swedish folk art category furniture
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
Pair of Scandinavian Rococo Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Scandinavian Rococo style armchairs from the 19th century with new upholstery. Born in Scandinavia during the 19th century, this pair of Rococo style armchairs features a sha...
Upholstery, Wood
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
$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
$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
$4,200Sale Price / set|39% Off
18th Century Pair of 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
$6,500
Armchair Rococo Sweden
Located in New York, NY
An armchair made in Sweden during the Rococo period 1750-1775. Made in Sweden. Later painted.
Wood
Italian Armchair Rococo Style
Located in Vienna, AT
Painted black with richly cut decoration around padded and upholstered back tray hand embroidered fabric, turned legs under padded and upholstered seat. Made in Italy in about 1870
Hardwood
$12,000 / set
Set of Four 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four 18th century carved walnut Italian Rococo armchairs.
Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century Rococo chair, with original color
By Alexander Thunberg
Located in SE
Chair, rococo, made in Stockholm about 1765, attributed to Alexander Thunberg, not signed. He became member of Stockholms chair maker society 1757 and died 1797. The chair is in good...
Birch
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
$8,852 / set
Set of Four Louis XV Chairs
Located in SE
Set of four Louis XV chairs from about 1750, made in Netherlands. The back of the chairs are elegantly carved in round shapes. The the legs, board...
Wood
Period 18th Century Rococo Sofa
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
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
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
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
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 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
$4,485 / set
19th Century Chairs
Located in SE
Four chairs made in Sweden in the rococo style about 1830:s. The first secondary color have been removed and what is left, is the second secondary color. Under the secondary color th...
Birch
$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
Chairs Pair of Swedish Rococo 1750-1775 White Green Gray, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chairs pair of Swedish Rococo 1750-1775 white green gray, Sweden. A pair of side chairs made during the Rococo period 1750-1775 in Sweden. Painted in a greenish gray and upholstered ...
Wood
18th Century Rococo chair
By Carl Magnus Sandberg
Located in SE
Chair made in the Royal workshop in Stockholm, attributed to Carl Magnus Sandberg. Not signed. He became member of Stockholms chair maker society 1760 and died before 1790. It is ve...
Birch, 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
Late 18th Century Swivel Chair
Located in SE
The swivel chair is made in Sweden about 1770:s. It is in a good condition and a practical functional chair.
Birch, Pine
18th Century French Rococo Armchair Fauteuil à la Reine around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Armchair, so called "Fauteuil à la reine", France, rococo around 1760, dark stained beech, carvings with rocaille motifs, upholstered armrests, new upholstery, height: 91 cm, width: ...
Beech
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
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
$2,301Sale 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
$33,992Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Magnificent 18th Century South American Colonial Escaño Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Magnificent 18th Century South American Colonial Escaño Settee in light wood Backrest formed by four "guitar" sections, cut out, with its necks decorated by volutes centralizing car...
Chestnut
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
$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
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...
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