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 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
Pair 18th C. Danish Rococo Side Chairs with Leather Seats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Danish pair of Rococo carved-wood side chairs from the 18th century. This antique pair of period Rococo chairs from Denmark each have elegantly pierce-carved back-splats with beaut...
Wood
18th Century Italian Silver Leaf Dining Chair with Velvet Upholstery
Located in Round Top, TX
This is an elegant dining chair from the 1700s Italy. It still has some of it's silver leaf intact and the legs are in great condition. It has been re-upholstered in a champagne velv...
Period Louis XV Grey Painted Canape
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine sofa made in France circa 1750 is from the period of the reign of Louis XV. The carved beech wood frame is decorated with flowers and extensively modeled rails. The piece i...
Beech
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
Chair Wingback Swedish Rococo Period 1750-1775 Brown Leather Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chair wingback Swedish Rococo Period 1750-1775 Brown Leather Sweden. An exquisite wingback chair made during the Rococo Period in Sweden. Original finish and upholstered in a waxed b...
Wood
Armchair French Giltwood Rococo Style, France
Located in New York, NY
Armchair French giltwood Rococo style France. An armchair made during the 19th century in France. Frame of giltwood with beautiful carvings. Contempora...
Giltwood
$5,235 / set
Set of 4 18thc Italian Dore Chairs from Lucca
Located in New Orleans, LA
Four elegant matching side chairs with cabriole legs. Heavily gilded. Purchased in Lucca, Italy. With extravagant detail and beautiful gilding, these chairs make a statement! Rococo ...
Upholstery, Wood
$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
Italian Venetian Armchair, 18th Century
Located in CH
18th century Italian Venetian carved walnut armchair.
Wood
Bart Armchair by Bart Schilder for Mooi
Located in Las Vegas, NE
The Bart Armchair single-seater does the rounded shapes of the Bart family even more justice, especially with the optional swivel foot that makes a circular motion. Having a conversa...
Linen, Cotton
$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
$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
$2,261Sale 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
Antique Swedish Rococo Stools: Elegant 18th Century Wood Seating
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
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
Small 1940s Louis XV style bench
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Small 1940s bench in the Louis XV style. The bench has a lacquered and gilded wooden frame. Fabric seat still original to be reupholstered. The lacquering bears obvious signs of ti...
Fabric, Wood
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
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 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
$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
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 Four Italian Rococo Painted and Gilded Chairs Venice
Located in Hudson, NY
Set of four 18th century Italian painted & parcel-gilt chairs, Venetian. These beautiful chairs have carved wooden frames with sweet detailing. The surface is painted green with ...
Gold
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
18th Century, Four Italian Large Lacquered Giltwood Armchairs
Located in IT
18th century, four Italian large lacquered giltwood armchairs These refined four armchairs were made in the first half of the 18th century in centr...
Wood
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
Italian Venetian Armchairs, Red Wood with Gilt Details, 18th Century
Located in Queens, NY
3 Italian Venetian (18th Century) armchairs with red painted wooden frames with carved giltwood embellishments and beige and pink toile-patterned upholstere...
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
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
19th Century Italian Rococo Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully carved sofa with original cream and yellow paint finish. Rococo detailing. New upholstery.
Fabric
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...
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...
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