Rococo Secretaires
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.
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Secretaires
1960s American Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Wood
1940s Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Metal
2010s German Rococo Secretaires
Steel
1920s Dutch Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
Mid-19th Century German Antique Rococo Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1870s French Antique Rococo Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Teak
1970s French Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Brass
1910s Italian Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Brass, Silver Leaf
1920s Italian Vintage Rococo Secretaires
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Paint, Wood