Rococo Furniture
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.
1840s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Paper
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Elm, Yew
1940s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Glass, Pine
18th Century European Antique Rococo Furniture
Other
1950s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Fabric, Cotton
17th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu
1760s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Gold, Brass
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror
1760s Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Birch
1920s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Belgian Rococo Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
1990s Spanish Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Textile, Silk
Mid-18th Century European Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Late 20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Marble
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
18th Century Portuguese Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Paint
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1760s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century North American Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel
18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Jacaranda, Pine
1760s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Rococo Furniture
Iron
1760s Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Glass, Wood
1810s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain