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.
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century German Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Danish Vintage Rococo Furniture
1990s North American Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
1930s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Metal
20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Vermeil, Silver
Late 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century English Rococo Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century German Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
1950s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Silver
1980s Vintage Rococo Furniture
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Rococo Furniture
Late 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century American Rococo Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century Rococo Furniture
Iron
20th Century Unknown Rococo Furniture
Crystal
1910s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1930s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Steel
1940s Vintage Rococo Furniture
Satin
Early 20th Century Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century German Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Rococo Furniture
Steel, Brass