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.
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1870s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
1870s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Softwood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
1860s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver Plate, Copper
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1870s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century American Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
Early 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
1880s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain, Mirror
1880s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Glass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver Plate, Copper
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wire
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Beech, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel
1870s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Steel, Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1870s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Linen, Wood
Mid-19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain