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.
Ormolu-Mounted Rococo Style Antique Marble Urn
Located in London, GB
This exuberantly designed lidded urn is carved in veined green marble. The body of the urn is of canted ovoid shape and mounted with twin acanthus leaf ormolu handles. The body of th...
Marble, Ormolu
$6,547 / set
Pair 19th Century French Gilded Fire Screens
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of late 19th century French gilded ormolu Rococo style fire screens, each with elegant scrolling foliate decoration.
Ormolu
Antique Ormolu and Cut-Glass Rococo-Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique ormolu and cut-glass Rococo-style chandelier French, 19th Century Height 130cm, diameter 90cm This Rococo-style chandelier is filled with the opulent details that characte...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Ormolu Candlesticks, Rococo Design, France, Circa 1860
By Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Louis XV Style Candlesticks. Each baluster stem cast with C-scrolls and below a nozzle and drip-pan, on a spreading rocaille-cast and moulded circular base These charmi...
Ormolu
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
Ornate Rococo Gilt-Bronze Hall Lantern, French, Circa 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Rococo Style Gilt-Bronze Hall Lantern. Grand in scale, this palatial lantern is finely cast in gilt-bronze. It is sumptuously modelled with asymmetrical C-scrolls, swept aca...
Ormolu
Pair of Late 19th Century French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Fireplace Chenets
Located in Tarzana, CA
Why buy from us? 1. Always 100% guaranteed! 2. Free shipping in the USA 3. Strive for 100% customer Satisfaction 4. Returns Accepted. A Pair of late 19th Century French Rococ...
Bronze
18th Century Giltwood Fragment Mounted as Lamp. Amazing Watergilding.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Single 18th century giltwood fragment mounted as lamp. Amazing Watergilding. Great Scale.
Giltwood
French Louis XV Style Brass Firescreen with Scrolls and Leaf Form Throughout
Located in London, GB
A French Louis XV style brass firescreen with scrolls and leaf form throughout. The mesh embellished with matching decoration. 19th century. Height: 760 mm 29" Width: 780 mm 30 ¾".
Brass
Elegant Giltwood Overmantel Mirror from France
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French giltwood overmantel mirror with a Rococo foliate surmount above a cushion moulded, ogee frame. This encloses the crisp bevelled glass. A very elegant mirror. F...
Gesso, Giltwood
Nailsea Style Glass Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
Elegant Rococo style glass & brass oil lamp base, now converted for electricity. PAT tested and compliant for the U.K. Can be adapted for worldwide wiring if required. This will ha...
Brass