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.
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
$27,036Sale Price|20% Off
Dutch Rococo Bombe Parquetry Commode, 18th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Stunning mid 18th century Dutch Rococo Bombe Commode with quality padouk, tulipwood, laburnum and Kingwood parquetry with shaped exceptional origi...
Padouk
$16,000Sale Price|36% Off
Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian Venetian Secretary (Secretaire / Bureau Cabinet) 18th Century An 18th-century Italian Venetian Baroque secretaire, crafted in burl walnut and walnut veneer, exemplifying the...
Walnut
18th Century Continental Parquetry Inlaid Commode with Serpentine Front
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th century continental parquetry inlaid commode with serpentine front, hoof feet, and 3 drawers.
Fruitwood
Dutch Marquetry Vitrine on Chest Early 18th Century Transitional
Located in London, by appointment only
An 18th century Flemish marquetry vitrine on chest, the shaped crest centred by a finial above two glazed doors opening to a shelved cupboard, the vitrine sits on a serpentine chest ...
Walnut
18th Century Rococo Cabinet of Masterpiece Quality
Located in Ljungby, SE
An extraordinarily high-quality Rococo cabinet crafted to the standard of a master’s piece. Painted in Rococo style, the cabinet has never been veneered. It features double front leg...
Wood
$4,647Sale Price|50% Off
Trumeau Mid-19th Century, Northern Italy
Located in Vicenza, VI
Trumeau datable to about 1860, from northern Italy. The cabinet in question is entirely veneered in walnut and burl walnut, filleted in Fine woods, with a fir back and interior. T...
Wood, Walnut
Important 19th Century French Mirror Console with Italian Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Important 19th century French mirror console with marble Measures :console: 145cm x 90cm high Mirror measures: 192cm x 130cm In total, the c...
Wood
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...
Oak
Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
A very rare cabinet or secretaire with a chest of drawers in solid walnut wood, inlaid with fruitwood in a neoclassical style. The central lid can be folded down, turning into a writ...
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Pair of Gilted Turin Cabinets
Located in Marseille, FR
Pair of gilted and lacquered Turin cabinets from the beginning of the 19th century. Coming from a small Genoese palace, this false pair of cabinets (a few centimeters differentiate t...
Fruitwood
$17,907 / item
Pair of Tall French Louis XVI Porcelain Mounted Cabinets
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful tall pair of French Louis XVI kingwood cabinets with outstanding oval Sevres style porcelain plaques depicting cherubs, covered with gilt ormolu mounts, each with a singl...
Tulipwood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Vitrine Cabinet with Floral Carving
Located in Ljungby, SE
A two-part Swedish Rococo cabinet from the second half of the 18th century. The cabinet features two glazed doors with hand-blown glass. The upper section has four shelves, and the l...
Blown Glass, Wood
$2,846Sale Price|28% Off
Rococo Style Handcrafted Two Drawer Chest with Marble Top, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This Rococo style two drawer chest dates to the 19th century and was handcrafted in Italy. The piece is constructed using linden and oak wood, materials traditionally appreciated for...
Wood
19th Century Frederickian Rococo Showcase Massive Walnut Wood with Warm Patina
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive walnut, finely carved and framed. High-rectangular, one-door, curved and three-glazed corpus on high slanting volute-like curled feet connected with crossed richly carved mid...
Walnut
20th Century Splendid Display Cabinet in the Antique Rococo Style Beech Carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, finely carved and polished, poliment gilded. High-rectangular, one-armed, cambered and three-glazed corpus on high, oblique, volute-like, curly feet, connected with ...
Beech
Astrelli Console Cabinet by Madheke
Located in Gurugram, IN
A celebration of craftsmanship and ornamentation, the Astrelli Console Cabinet draws from Rococo sensibilities while embracing quiet modernity. Featuring leather drawer fronts with ...
Brass, Metal