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.
Romweber French Rococo Louis XV Cream Lacquered Nine-Drawer Dresser, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial or Rococo Louis XV style nine-drawer dresser By Romweber USA, Circa 1960s Carved cream lacquered walnut, with gold gilt trim, and original brass hardw...
Brass
Fine Paint Decorated Marble Top Bombe Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Italianate design bombe chest in a speckled finish in black and red on pale tan. With carved neoclassical motifs- swags on the drawers, bows and ovals in between, and complementar...
Marble, Brass
Romweber French Rococo Louis XV Satinwood and Parcel Painted Triple Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Rococo Louis XV style triple dresser or credenza By Romweber USA, Circa 1940s Book-matched satinwood, with painted tr...
Brass
Italian Elegant 18th Century Sideboard
Located in Milano, IT
Enhance your living space with our exceptional 18th-century Italian sideboard. This rare antique, attributed to Northern Italy's craftsmanship, exhibits ornate design with a sophisti...
Wood
Italian Rococo Neapolitan Chest of Drawers, Commode, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian Rococo Gilt Bronze-Mounted Walnut and Fruitwood Inlaid Commode Naples, Circa 1760 An 18th-century Italian Rococo commode from Naples, c...
Bronze
Elegant 18th C. Italian Late Rococo Style Chest W/Beautiful Book-Match Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian late Rococo style chest of drawers with serpentine form and book-match veneers, circa 1780. This 18th century chest from Italy features a shapely serpentine top and body, ...
Wood
Antique Rococo Large Oak Chest of Drawers Painted Yellow, Denmark, circa 1800s
Located in Round Top, TX
Large rococo oak chest of 4 drawers with serpentine front resting on cabriolet feet. The four drawers each have 2 brass pulls and key ho...
Wood, Oak, Paint
18th CENTURY VENETIAN CHEST
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful and refined Venetian chest of drawers, characterized by a wavy front veneered in walnut briar and maple briar. It has a linear shelf base whic...
Wood, Nutwood, Fir
Italian Venetian/Rococo Green Painted & Parcel Gilt 5 Drawer Semainier/Dresser
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Rococo-style (18th Century) serpentine semainier / dresser having 5 drawers with carved gilt trim and bronze drawer pulls, parcel-gilt and painted in a light green, ...
Wood, Giltwood
Danish Rococo Chest of Drawers, Copenhagen, 1760
By Mathias Ortmann
Located in Copenhagen, K
Period 18th century Rococo dresser with white, beveled marble-top and brass hardware by Mathias Ortmann. Furniture by M. Ortmann urniture is of exceptional quality and represent t...
Marble
Rococo Period Serpentine Carved-Wood Chest of Drawers, 18th Century, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French period rococo serpentine chest of drawers from the 18th century. This antique commode from France features a rectangular shaped top, with softly-rounded corners and serpenti...
Wood
Chest of Drawers Swedish Rococo Light Wood, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers Swedish Rococo light wood, Sweden. A beautiful chest of drawers with amazing inlays and construction. Made in Sweden during th...
18th c Swiss Rococo Fruitwood Serpentine Commode with Tumbling Block Parquetry
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Continental Rococo fruitwood three drawer commode with serpentine front, probably Swiss in origin, dating to the 18th century, with exceptional tumbling block par...
Fruitwood, Satinwood
An 18th Century Swedish Period Rococo Serpentine Chest with a Lovely Elm Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18th century Swedish period Rococo Serpentine chest of three drawers. This antique commode from Sweden has a shapely serpentine body with beautiful elm veneer. The skirt is heav...
Metal
H 44 in W 48 in D 22 in
Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Rococo Chest of Four Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th-century Swedish Rococo chest of four drawers with an oak front and pine sides and drawer bottoms, consistent with period craftsmanship. The chest features a newer professio...
Brass
H 36 in W 42 in D 20 in
Chinese Chippendale Painted Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Chinese Chippendale style painted chest of drawers, the rectangular paneled top, and sides above four blind fret paneled drawers, on similar bracket feet. Inspired by a George III ...
Wood
H 30 in W 84 in D 18 in
Mae Solid Wood Credenza, Cabinet, or Dresser, by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Solid wood case / hand-turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass pulls / premium, full extension, soft close drawer slides / solid wood, dovetai...
Brass
H 36.75 in W 51.13 in D 22.88 in
French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome Louis Philippe console chest or commode from France, of beautifully patinated burled walnut with a figured marble top, featuring four fitted long drawers, brass escutcheon...
Marble, Stone, Metal, Brass
H 32.25 in W 77.5 in D 19.75 in
Romweber Figured Walnut Dresser With Crema Marble Inset Panels
Located in Chicago, IL
Romweber Furniture Italian Regency style nine-drawer long chest/cabinet/dresser with figured walnut and inset marble drawer fronts. Cast brass three part filigree pulls open the outs...
Burl, Walnut
H 40 in W 23 in D 53 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Bombe Chest of Drawers
By Charles Cressent
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning French Louis XV bombe marble-top chest of drawers commode from the 19th century, styled in the manner of Charles Cressent (France, 1685–1768), finished in luxurious Rocco ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
H 37 in W 53 in D 25.5 in
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Style Hand Carved Walnut Commode or Chest
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late-eighteenth century Louis XIV style hand carved walnut commode or chest of drawers was found in the region of Normandy, France. This piece features three drawers of dovetail...
Bronze
H 33.47 in W 39.38 in D 21.26 in
18th Century Black Painted Rococo Commode Chest of Drawers, Bombe Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian Rococo bombe shaped chest of drawers from Mid-18th Century. We see this antique Italian small dresser or console placed in a foyer, living room or bedroom. This piece would b...
Pine
H 28.5 in W 45 in D 18.25 in
45" Vintage Midcentury Mahogany Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage mahogany dresser manufactured in the midcentury 1960s period. A dresser featuring four large pull out drawers with slatted handles, ...
Mahogany
H 31 in W 42.5 in D 23 in
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Pine Chest of Three Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th century Swedish Rococo chest of three drawers crafted in pine. The chest features a newer professionally applied painted finish composed of layered gray, blue, and antique ...
Brass
H 31.75 in W 68 in D 20 in
1950s Red Lion Parquetry Front Mahogany Nine-Drawer Dresser
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent build quality and design for this, circa 1950s modern nine-drawer long dresser. Beautifully wood grained mahogany parquetry front door that opens to reveal three sliding drawers. Six additional parquetry front drawers have patinated brass pulls and escutcheons. Pierced apron with sculpted legs. From Red Lion Furniture...
Brass
H 28.75 in W 75 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Teak Nine Drawer Dresser
By Kai Kristiansen, Falster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Dyrlund
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century nine drawer dresser made from teak wood, Denmark. Excellent teak grain throughout the entire piece. This long and low dresser features a bank of three drawers on the left...
Wood, Teak
H 39 in W 22.5 in D 50.25 in
Early 19th century French Bleached Fruitwood European Serpentine Chest
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous France; ca. 1800 Fruitwood; brass Approximate size: 39 (h) x 50.25 (w) x 22.5 (d) in. A handsome serpentine fruitwood chest of French design. Its original finish has been...
Brass
H 34.65 in W 44.49 in D 20.08 in
Antique French Dresser Bombe Louis XV Style Commmode
Located in Buxton, GB
Fabulous Bombe Chest of Drawers with Red Marble Top French Baroque Style Bombe Commode with two different tones of inlays, that add contrast to the piece Rouge Shaped Marble Top ...
Marble, Bronze
H 35.44 in W 51.58 in D 24.41 in
Antique French Dresser Bombe Louis XV Style Commode
Located in Buxton, GB
This Fabulous Large Bombe Chest of drawers/Commode would look Fabulous in any room. French Rococo Style Bombe with a shaped cream Marble Top and Bronze Detailing Mahogany Inlays co...
Marble, Bronze
H 33 in W 50 in D 20 in
Vintage French Rococo Style Italian Bombe 4 Drawer Commode Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Rococo Style Italian Bombe 4 Drawer Commode Chest Dresser. Item features "Antiqued/Distressed" finish, 4 drawers, nicely carved details, solid wood construction. Circa...
Wood
H 30.69 in W 43.5 in D 21.63 in
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Black Painted Commode with Original Brass Hardware
Located in Wichita, KS
An exceptional 18th century Swedish commode from the Rococo period with original brass hardware, ormolu, and locks. This commode has a serpentine front, shaped top and apron to the f...
Brass
H 32 in W 44 in D 18.75 in
Italian Rococo Chest of Drawers, Commode, 20th Century
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Italian bombe commode chest of drawers of oyster burl olive veneer made in the Rococo style. The case possesses graceful curves with serpentine...
Brass
H 47 in W 48.75 in D 24.5 in
Antique Large Rococo Chest of Drawers Painted Blue, Denmark Dated 1779
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Large Rococo Chest of Drawers Painted Blue, Denmark Dated 1779 Danish large chest of drawers in blue painted finish with side handles. Curved rococo front with four drawers on original base raised on cabriole legs. The large drawers are each fitted with bronze keyhole...
Wood, Paint
H 38.5 in W 45 in D 25 in
Large Antique Rococo Oak Chest of Drawers With Blue Painted Finish Circa 1800's
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive large oak chest of drawers is quite dramatic thanks to the (newer) blue professionally applied painted finish accenting the Rococo curv...
Wood, Oak, Paint
H 26.5 in W 31 in D 15.5 in
Vintage Italian Rococo Mahogany Burl Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite Italian Rococo marquetry chest of drawers, circa last quarter 20th century. Made from mahogany with a burled case and floral marquetry inlays. Features a serpentine bomb...
Mahogany, Burl
H 45.75 in W 50 in D 22 in
Antique Large Blue Pained Rococo Chest of Drawers from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the striking blue painted finish that draws one to this handsome large oak chest of drawers. Later professionally painted in blue and teal shades...
Wood, Oak, Paint
H 44.25 in W 48.25 in D 25 in
Large Blue Painted Rococo Chest of Drawers, Denmark circa 1780-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The allure of this striking oak chest of four drawers is due to the (newer) blue painted finish accenting the Rococo curves and cabriolet feet. Please examine photos to appreciate th...
Wood, Oak, Paint
H 38 in W 50.13 in D 21 in
French Gray Painted Commode
Located in Westwood, NJ
Embellished with an artful hand carved floral motif across serpentine drawer fronts between classically lined stop-fluted columns balanced on turned and tapered feet. Dimensions: 5...
Wood