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.
Swedish Rococo Period 18th Century Buffet from Värmland with Canted Side Posts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period 18th century painted wood buffet from Värmland, with canted sides, four drawers and two doors. Created in the west-central province of Värmland during the 18t...
Wood
Early 20th C. Venetian Painted Sideboard with Faux Marble Top and Floral Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring timeless Venetian charm to an entryway or dining room with this exquisite painted sideboard from Italy, circa early 20th century. The serpentine-front cabinet features two frie...
Oak
Elegant 18th C. French Rococo Buffet à Deux-Corps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall, 18th Century Rococo wooden display and storage cabinet from France. This antique oak wood cabinet features a nicely arched and molded center top pediment and is designed throughout in nice molding with raised panels, and presented on a flat base. This buffet à deux-corps (which is the name for a French buffet consisting of an upper and lower case, "deux" referencing the two parts) has a pair of arched doors...
Wood
$3,595
H 37 in W 42.5 in D 21.5 in
Early 19th Century French Restauration Period Walnut Buffet with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Restauration period walnut buffet features a grey marble top with white veining. A single drawer of dovetail construction with book matched front...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Faux Bamboo Buffet with Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
19th century faux bamboo buffet with a Carrara marble top from France. The top has a lovely matrix and is a nice neutral color to compliment any decor. The case has paneled sides, ...
Carrara Marble
$2,900
H 31.25 in W 68 in D 19 in
Henredon's 18th Century Portfolio Banded Burl Walnut Credenza Buffet
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
Henredon's 18th century Portfolio banded burl walnut credenza buffet. Burl walnut veneer. Banded front. On wheels for Easy handling. One shelf behind each door. All dovetailed dr...
Walnut, Burl
$3,980Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.54 in W 74.61 in D 20.48 in
Early 20th Carved Walnut Sideboard with Four Doors and Two Drawers and Crest
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th carved walnut sideboard with four doors and two drawers Elaborate carved walnut sideboard from Spain is topped with a wood top. Two do...
Walnut
$6,400
H 34.75 in W 51.625 in D 26.25 in
19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style Buffet with Faux Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in the 1800s in the style of Louis XVI, this French buffet features Neoclassical motifs and a wonderfully hand-painted faux marble top. The top has a subtle cavetto moldi...
Wood, Paint
18th Century Louis XV Bleached Oak Buffet/Enfilade
Located in Carmine, TX
This is a beautiful, well-built and large period buffet that has style, and elegance. This gorgeous piece was built in the mid 1700s using all pegged construction and solid oak. The buffet features 3 drawers over three doors, all decorated with beautiful carving and raised panels throughout. The drawers show beautiful hand-made dovetailed joints and the back itself is a work of art. The buffet is still sitting on its original carved feet and shows a scalloped and carved apron, and is finished with simple, original hardware. This piece was hand-selected because of its beautiful proportions, carvings and overall color. The bleaching process shows much of the natural grain of the wood but it also highlights the human-made carvings, creating a beautiful combination of natural and human designs...
Oak
French 18th Century Enfilade
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome Enfilade - buffet from the Provenance region of France. Wonderfully constructed from sturdy walnut. A terrific storage piece with four doors and three drawers. Great...
Walnut
$10,500
H 41.5 in W 61 in D 18.5 in
18th Century Italian Carved Wood Credenza with Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian carved and painted wood credenza from the 18th century. This antique cabinet from Italy is rectangular, with front corners convexly scalloped inward, giving this piece a lovely shape. The case houses a pair of smaller sized drawers set horizontally at top, above a pair of recessed panel doors at front. The skirting is heavily molded, and this chest is raised upon carved bracket-style feet which give open arch-shaped designs at the underside. The pair of doors open to reveal storage within, and flank a recessed panel at front which is adorn with a carved garland hanging downward within its center. This piece retains its original hand-painted faux-marble finish and gilt (with some later touch ups), primarily in shades of amber, orange, red, green, and cream. This 18th century Italian...
Wood
$4,400
H 33.25 in W 62.25 in D 22.25 in
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Gray Painted Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th-century Swedish Gustavian style sideboard buffet crafted in pine with a three-drawer over three-door configuration. The upper drawers are fitted with brass ring pulls, and...
Brass
$14,000
H 37 in W 72 in D 14.5 in
English Regency Period 1840s Mahogany Breakfront Buffet with Arrow Style Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency period mahogany breakfront buffet from the early 19th century, with four doors, geometric inlay and brass details. Created in England during the Regency period in ...
Brass
$8,900
H 91.75 in W 53.875 in D 29.125 in
Circa 1730 Bleached Oak Buffet Deux Corps from Laval, France
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Laval, France, circa 1730, this oak buffet deux corps has been bleached, allowing the motifs of the Louis XV cabinet to gain promi...
Oak
Period Louis XIV Stripped Oak Buffet from France, circa 1700
Located in Dallas, TX
This fabulous, period Louis XIV (The Sun King) buffet has been made from European oak and stripped at some point in its history. During Louis XIV’s reign (1643-1715), furniture maker...
Oak
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Buffet
Located in New Orleans, LA
A graceful 18th century Swedish Rococo buffet with serpentine lines, carved floral motifs, and original painted finish in soft, timeworn tones—capturing the light, elegant spirit of ...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 96.5 in W 79.5 in D 25.5 in
1800s Antique French Breton, Carved, Stained Glass Double Buffets, Set of Two
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Antique Nightstands (2) Pair, Rococo Style, Marble-Top, Mahogany, Foliate, 19th Century, 1800s! Antique Buffets, Double, Pair, French Breton Style, Finely Carved, 19th C, 1800s!! This is a pair of antique double buffet...
Stained Glass, Wood
18th Century, Swedish, Rococo Cabinet
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 18th century Rococo cabinet in Its original colour, gracefully thin with beveled corners, which is rather unusual. Ca 1770 Sweden.
Pine
Grand Country French Buffet a Deaux Corps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1770 grand country French buffet à deux corps from Normandy. Rare galbée form, the interiors shelves also conforming to the shape. Rococo. Basket flower, tendrils, bunches of g...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century Scandinavian Sideboards in Rococo Style
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of very curvy and large late 19th century Scandinavian sideboards in Rococo style painted in a soft white with two drawers under the shaped top and plenty of storage inside, r...
Oak, Paint
18th Century Rococo Corner Buffet
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusual 18thcentury Rococo corner buffet in original color, circa 1770, Sweden.
Wood
18th Century Rococo Sideboard
Located in Allerum, SE
Remarkable and unusually large 18th century Rococo buffet/sideboard with great patina and in great proportions for its size, circa 1750, Sweden.
Wood
Continental Burl Walnut Server
Located in Hixson, TN
A fine burl walnut server from Europe. This cabinet is made of remarkable quality. Choice selection of burl walnut to the solid walnut used for the case. This piece is vintage but of...
Early 19th Century Italian Credenza in Burl Walnut
Located in Hixson, TN
Early 19th century Italian credenza in burl walnut. A superb early 19th century Italian burl walnut credenza. Shaped front and sides. There are three drawers and four doors. Each ...
18th Century Carved Italian Buffet
Located in Houston, TX
18th century Italian buffet from a Palazzo in Venice. Beautiful intricate carving on panels down the facade of piece and along the perimete...
Hardwood
19th c. Swedish Buffet
Located in Houston, TX
19th c. Swedish painted buffet with four doors. Serpentine design front and sides.
Pine
Sold
H 40 in W 46.75 in D 8.5 in
A Mid 18th Century Italian Giltwood Altarpiece as a Console with Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a rouge colored rectangular marble top above a conforming carved giltwood case
Marble