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.
Antique 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Bombe Shaped Wine Cellerette Cooler 1760
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptionally rare & fine antique Dutch marquetry bombe shaped rosewood wine cellarette/cooler, circa 1760. The hinged top of ogee/sarcophagus form and finely inlaid with floral p...
Rosewood, Satinwood
$1,555Sale Price|74% Off
19th Century Petite Rococo Style Asian Dry Bar Chinoiserie Hand Painted
Located in Cookeville, TN
Sourced From an Estate in Saint-Malo, France, this is a Stunning 19th Century Petite Rococo Style Asian Dry Bar. It has Chinoiserie Hand Painted Scenes. This Chinoiserie-Style Liqu...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Astrelli Drinks Cabinet by Madheke
Located in Gurugram, IN
Encapsulating a blend of historical depth and modern sophistication, the Astrelli drinks cabinet is finely detailed with antiqued brass accents and expe...
Brass
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 19.69 in D 20.08 in
Very Rare Antique Fully Restored George III 1780 Hardwood Wine Cooler Cellarette
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, fully restored, George III circa 1780-1800, Mahogany Cellarette or Wine cooler with the original zinc lined internal compa...
Hardwood
1950's Drinks Cabinet
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
A 1950's drinks cabinet with original internal glass, stands, mirror and drawers. Renovated to the highest standard with a new exterior finish. Width: 83cm / 32.6" Depth: 35cm 13...
Marble
Vintage Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Dry Bar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite mid-century dry bar is a masterful example of Chinoiserie artistry, featuring a deep black lacquer finish that serves as a dramatic canvas for its intricate ornamentat...
Wood, Lacquer
$29,592
H 38.98 in W 29.14 in D 15.75 in
18th Century Wrought Iron Italian Hobnail Antique Safe Strong Box
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and rare example of late 18th century Italian master blacksmith craftsmanship, this antique studded safe with typical all-around hobnails and great wrought iron details. It...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$25,244
H 94.49 in W 53.55 in D 25.99 in
Antique Walnut Dutch Marquetry Bureau Cabinet Bookcase 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an important antique Dutch walnut and marquetry bureau bookcase, circa 1780 in date. It has been made from the finest burr walnut w...
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautifully inlaid 18th Century Dutch walnut chest of drawers. Circa 1780. With foliage and birds decorating the top, front and sides. The serpentine top is above three bombe drawer...
Brass
19th Century Hollywood Regency Parquetry Armoire with Dry Bar
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely crafted armoire with parquetry banded double doors and sides inlaid with matching shaped burled panels. Brass escutcheons with a key. The carved cornice with ebonized moldin...
Wood
19th Century Painted Rococo Style Chinoiserie Chest
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Rococo style serpentine-front chest decorated in the Chinoiserie style with painted figural and architectural scenes. The two drawer façade is executed in red and ochre ...
Wood
$5,463
H 46.07 in W 47.64 in D 18.9 in
Late 20th Century Bamboo and Rattan Dry Bar Cabinet, Art Deco Style
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an exceptional Art Deco Revival Bar Cabinet designed in style of Axel Enthoven. This piece is made of natural materials - a combination of oak veneer, w...
Bamboo, Rattan
$22,000
H 41.25 in W 79.25 in D 29 in
Early 19th Century French Renaissance Carved Oak Dry Bar with Tole Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a wine cellar, library, or entertaining space with this exceptional antique dry bar, crafted in France circa 1820. Executed in the Renaissance Revival taste, the substantial ...
Sheet Metal
20th Century Italian Art Deco Drinks Cabinet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th Century Italian, late Art Deco drinks cabinet. Smart and stylish drinks cabinet on stand; in sycamore and rosewood veneers. Circa 1940.
Rosewood, Sycamore
$1,115Sale Price|50% Off
H 51.19 in W 24.81 in D 14.57 in
19th Century French Marble Top Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century French mahogany cabinet in Louis XVI style with geometric patterns on both front and sides. The top surface is made ...
Marble
$9,861 / item
H 60.63 in W 13.78 in D 15.75 in
Rhomboid Vanity/Drinks Cabinet in Cream Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$12,519 / item
H 68.9 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Contemporary Home Drinks Cabinet in Gold, Silver, Copper, Brass
Located in Riga, LV
Perfect for entertaining at home, the COSMO drink cabinet has everything you need for your dinner or party drinks. It can be also a perfect storage for dishes, your favorite glass se...
Silver, Brass, Bronze, Copper
18th Century Dutch Marquetry Vitrine
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 18th century Dutch marquetry inlaid vitrine, having glazed doors and sides, with shelves within, above three bombe fronted floral marquetry inlaid Oak lined drawe...
Boxwood, Walnut
Sold
H 34.5 in W 47.25 in D 23 in
Italian, Venezia, Rococo Period Walnut 2-Door Credenza, Mid 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with a molded edge and rounded front corners above a conforming case with two doors opening to reveal interior shelving, the solid walnut doors have bookmatc...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 44 in D 18 in
Continental Rococo Style Walnut Serpentine Front 2-Door Cabinet, Early 20th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a shaped top with molded edge and serpentine shaped front atop a conforming case with two doors each having a large brass escutcheon plate, the interior with an open middle ba...
Walnut
Italian Antique Walnut Two-Tier Serving Table Bar Cart, Early 20th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An attractive two-tier serving table designed with slices of unusually thick burl walnut veneers set in chaotic patterns against one another throughout either tray. This is framed in...
Walnut
Sold
H 56 in W 63.5 in
Venetian Painted Parcel-Gilt Chinoiserie Bar Drinks Cabinet, Italian, circa 1920
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Venetian painted parcel-gilt chinoiserie bar drinks cabinet, Italian, circa 1920, hand painted decoration throughout with exotic and stylized birds in a lush bloom filled oriental ga...
Wood
An Italian, Emiliana, Rococo Walnut Two Door Credenza with Hinged Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
the hinged rectangular molded edge top with notched rounded corners opening to reveal a shallow shelf, the rounded corners continuing downward in a confo...
Walnut