Rococo Seating
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.
Early 18th Century British Antique Rococo Seating
Teak
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Seating
Leather, Oak
18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Seating
Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Seating
Wood
20th Century American Rococo Seating
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Giltwood
16th Century British Antique Rococo Seating
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Seating
Sheepskin, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century Portuguese Antique Rococo Seating
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century British Antique Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Italian Rococo Seating
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century South American Antique Rococo Seating
Chestnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Walnut
1930s Danish Vintage Rococo Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Seating
Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Seating
Pine
1930s French Vintage Rococo Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Seating
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Wood, Walnut
1750s Dutch Antique Rococo Seating
Wood
1770s Swedish Antique Rococo Seating
Birch, Pine
1940s Vintage Rococo Seating
Satin
1770s Swedish Antique Rococo Seating
Birch
1760s French Antique Rococo Seating
Beech
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Walnut
1890s Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century English Rococo Seating
Walnut
18th Century European Antique Rococo Seating
Other
2010s Italian Rococo Seating
Gold Leaf
17th Century British Antique Rococo Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Wood
1890s Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Rococo Seating
Leather, Fabric, Lacquer
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Cotton, Walnut
2010s Italian Rococo Seating
Marble, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Rococo Seating
Suede, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Wood