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.
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
18th Century and Earlier British Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass, Iron
18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Limestone
1970s American Vintage Rococo Furniture
Chrome
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Kingwood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Kingwood
Early 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1930s Swedish Vintage Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Rococo Furniture
Plaster
20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
1760s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
1880s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Rococo Furniture
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
1760s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Padouk
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Brass
19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood, Mercury Glass