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Rococo Desks

ROCOCO STYLE

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.

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Style: Rococo
Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager

By Ira Yeager

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Fantastic late 19th century Italian secretaire cabinet or bookcase made in the Venetian Rococo taste. Crafted from walnut the two-part case features a speckled lacquer finish centered by a cartouche shaped window with a painted bust by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The bureau cabinet has a bombe shaped dresser base with a drop front diminutive writing table. The drop front has two storage drawers and a small pigeon hole storage above. Below the desk are two small drawers and two large storage drawers with rocaille patinated brass pulls. The dresser is supported by small cabriole legs with scrolled feet. The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken. The painting is painted on board titled "Venezia" and signed by Yeager with a fictitious date of 1725. The door opens to a three-shelf bookcase. The case is topped with a pediment having a cartouche shaped window and corniced top. The entire secretary is speckled with a mustard yellow tone over a taupe background. This whimsical cabinet...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass

Rococo 18th century Swedish yew and elm bureau desk
Rococo 18th century Swedish yew and elm bureau desk

Rococo 18th century Swedish yew and elm bureau desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk circa 1750. Stunning swedish rococo period bombe shaped bureau.   Beautifully made from yew wood and elm, using various techniques such a...

Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Elm, Yew

Italian Marquetry Inlaid Mixed Wood Maggiolini Style Secretary Desk
Italian Marquetry Inlaid Mixed Wood Maggiolini Style Secretary Desk

Italian Marquetry Inlaid Mixed Wood Maggiolini Style Secretary Desk

Located in Long Branch, NJ

Fabulous Italian Inlaid Mixed Wood Maggiolini Style Secretary Desk Dimensions : 95" Tall X 44" Wide X 22" Deep This desk is a work of art! The secretary desk was made in Italy and ...

Category

1990s Italian Rococo Desks

Materials

Burl

Swedish Rococo Slant Front Desk, circa 1760
Swedish Rococo Slant Front Desk, circa 1760

Swedish Rococo Slant Front Desk, circa 1760

Located in Huntington, NY

A Swedish Rococo slant front desk. Front opens to reveal a large work surface, ten pull out drawers, seven cubbies and two pull out document holders. A sliding cover at the base open...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

18th Century Swedish Bombe Shaped Bureau Signed by Eric Holm
18th Century Swedish Bombe Shaped Bureau Signed by Eric Holm

18th Century Swedish Bombe Shaped Bureau Signed by Eric Holm

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

18th Century Swedish period Rococo bombe shaped bureau. Signed by the renowned Stockholm furniture maker Eric Holm. Fall front desk upends to work space and storage drawer and shelv...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk
French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk

French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

French porcelain and gilt bronze mounted writing desk French, 19th Century Height 116cm, width 91cm, depth 51cm This stunning bonheur du jour was made in France during the 19th...

Category

19th Century French Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Bureau Bookcase Oak German Serpentine Front Original Brassware Working Locks
Bureau Bookcase Oak German Serpentine Front Original Brassware Working Locks

Bureau Bookcase Oak German Serpentine Front Original Brassware Working Locks

Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK

A large, museum quality, 18th century, German, oak bureau bookcase with a serpentine front, original brassware and working locks As fine an example of this model of German cabinet f...

Category

1740s German Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Oak

18th Century Rococo Writing Desk
18th Century Rococo Writing Desk

18th Century Rococo Writing Desk

Located in Ljungby, SE

This beautifully crafted Swedish Rococo writing desk is a distinguished piece of Stockholm workmanship from the 1760s-70s. The desk features gracefully curved legs and three finely v...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Marquetry Inlaid Drop-Front Desk with Bombe Case
Swedish Marquetry Inlaid Drop-Front Desk with Bombe Case

Swedish Marquetry Inlaid Drop-Front Desk with Bombe Case

Located in Brentwood, TN

A Swedish drop-front desk, crafted in wood with marquetry inlay and a gracefully shaped bombe-form case. The facade is decorated with scrolling inlaid motifs across the fall front an...

Category

20th Century Swedish Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

Swedish Rococo Slant Front Corner Desk, circa 1760
Swedish Rococo Slant Front Corner Desk, circa 1760

Swedish Rococo Slant Front Corner Desk, circa 1760

Located in Huntington, NY

An unusual Swedish Rococo slant front corner desk. Desktop opens to reveal an ample working surface, ten small drawers with brass knobs and a locking cubby door. Interior tastefully ...

Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

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Sykkylven Brode Blindheim Rosewood Slant Front Desk, Norway 1960s
Sykkylven Brode Blindheim Rosewood Slant Front Desk, Norway 1960s

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By Brode Blindheim

Located in Hamburg, PA

A stunning and very beautiful Rosewood Desk for Brode Blindheim by Sykky Iven circa 1960s. This amazing slant front desk is structured on a refined stretcher base. The cabinet has wo...

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Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
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Located in Palm Desert, CA

A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front,...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut

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Antique French Louis XVI Style Walnut Writing Desk

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H 30.5 in W 58.5 in D 31.5 in

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Located in Astoria, NY

A refined late 19th century French Louis XVI style walnut writing table, sourced in Provence. The rectangular top with demi-lune ends is finished with a carved leaf-and-dart border, ...

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18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790

$4,950

H 40.5 in W 52.25 in D 34.75 in

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 18th-century Swedish Gustavian writing desk, circa 1790, embodies the clean lines and restrained elegance characteristic of the Gustavian style, which was inspired by the neocla...

Category

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Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Rococo Style Bureau
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$6,622

H 39.38 in W 41.74 in D 31.5 in

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Located in Gloucestershire, GB

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H 29.5 in W 78.75 in D 29.13 in

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Located in High Point, NC

18th century fruitwood desk from France with a gorgeously banded top over simple and scalloped sides and two drawers in the front flanking a knee hole, which measures 26 inches in he...

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Swedish Secretary with Marquetry
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$6,500

H 41.13 in W 40.5 in D 20.5 in

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Located in New York, NY

A masterpiece of symmetry, the cantilevered sides of the body meet the rectangular working surface, creating a setback for the upper writing surface. Crafted of Nordic birch and fir,...

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Antique French Secretary
Antique French Secretary

Antique French Secretary

$8,499

H 59 in W 35 in D 17 in

Antique French Secretary

Located in Malibu, CA

This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the h...

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Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass, Other

Previously Available Items
Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk
Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk

Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk

Sold

H 41.5 in W 41.5 in D 20 in

Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Rococo 18th century yew and elm bureau desk circa 1750. Stunning swedish rococo period bombe shaped bureau.   Beautifully made from yew wood and elm, using...

Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Yew

19th c. Swedish Rococo Painted Fall Front Desk
19th c. Swedish Rococo Painted Fall Front Desk

19th c. Swedish Rococo Painted Fall Front Desk

Sold

H 37.63 in W 34.69 in D 19.69 in

19th c. Swedish Rococo Painted Fall Front Desk

Located in Wichita, KS

A 19th century Swedish fall-front bureau in the Rococo style wearing beautiful black paint, circa 1800. One large drawer with key, scalloped apron, and slender cabriolet legs. There ...

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19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

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Wood, Paint

French Rococo Desk Louis XV Style
French Rococo Desk Louis XV Style

French Rococo Desk Louis XV Style

Sold

H 31.5 in W 69.69 in D 33.08 in

French Rococo Desk Louis XV Style

Located in Buxton, GB

This Rococo-style writing desk was crafted in the 1950s, featuring a stunning rosewood finish and intricate carvings that exude the elegance of the Louis XV style. The antique desk b...

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20th Century French Rococo Desks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Dutch Early 19th Century Walnut Marquetry Cylinder Desk / Bureau 1820
Antique Dutch Early 19th Century Walnut Marquetry Cylinder Desk / Bureau 1820

Antique Dutch Early 19th Century Walnut Marquetry Cylinder Desk / Bureau 1820

Located in Portland, OR

A Fine & exceptional antique early 19th century Dutch Rococco marquetry inlaid cylinder bureau/desk, Circa 1820. The desk is sumptuously and profusely inlaid with fruitwood marquetr...

Category

1820s Dutch Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk
Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk

Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk

Sold

H 17 in W 22.63 in D 12 in

Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk

Located in Essex, MA

With curved lid opening to a fitted interior with three drawers below and bracket feet. Beautifully crafted in a bombe form. Much time and skill went into making this piece. Sometime...

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1740s Dutch Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Northern Italian Rococo Writing Desk Cabinet
19th Century Northern Italian Rococo Writing Desk Cabinet

19th Century Northern Italian Rococo Writing Desk Cabinet

Located in Forney, TX

A rare and magnificent Italian Rococo pewter inlaid fruitwood three piece writing desk with beautiful rich patina. Born in Northern Italy in the first half of the 19th century, exquisite hand-crafted construction, featuring fine quality craftsmanship, materials and detailing throughout. The exceptionally executed, impressive large scale antique writing desk surmounted by serpentine upper portion fitted with nine drawers and a locking cabinet with original key included; the mid-portion with shaped fall-front writing surface panel concealing five short shelve pigeonhole cubbies, flanked on each side by deep drawers, and resting atop four large chest drawers; the façade with highly attractive richly figured burled veneer outlined with fine pewter inlay and contrasting exotic woods inlays; standing on carved walnut cabriole legs joined by curved X-shaped cross stretcher. Marks to verso: A.U. 17, A.U. 20 Provenance: Skinner, Boston, Massachusetts; European Furniture and Decorative Arts catalog, October 5, 2013, lot 784. Property from the Estates of Ramon Osuna (1937-2019) and Robert Lennon (1933-2021), Washington, D.C. Longtime Washington-area art dealers, Mr. Osuna was born in Havana and came to the Washington area soon after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. He initially made his name as a dealer in contemporary art but gradually expanded into the Old Masters. With his longtime friend and partner Lennon, he owned galleries in Washington for many years and, at his death, also had Osuna Art...

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19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Pewter

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library

Located in Wichita, KS

A Swedish secretary with library from the Rococo period, circa 1760. The upper section has two shaped shelves and a multitude of small drawers. The slant front opens to reveal six wa...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mid-Century Hand Painted Venetian Bombay Form Secretary
Mid-Century Hand Painted Venetian Bombay Form Secretary

Mid-Century Hand Painted Venetian Bombay Form Secretary

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a 1960s hand painted Venetian bombay form secretary. It is a wonderful shade of green with Italian pastoral scenes throughout. It is in very good condition.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Rococo Desks

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Fall Front Bureau with Small Interior Compartments
18th Century Swedish Fall Front Bureau with Small Interior Compartments

18th Century Swedish Fall Front Bureau with Small Interior Compartments

Located in London, England

Late Circa 18th century Swedish fall front bureau. The interior comprises of small drawers and compartments over three long deep drawers. The bureau comes in one piece and features d...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Desks

Materials

Oak

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
Rococo Black Lacquered Desk

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk

Sold

H 30.25 in W 62.5 in D 31 in

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

An English Rococo black lacquered desk with gilt-tooled red leather top, carved and gilded decorations with three shaped frieze drawers and cabriole...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rococo Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rococo desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rococo desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rococo desks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,520 and tops out at $8,590 while the average work can sell for $6,601.