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-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1750s Portuguese Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Gold Plate, Silver Plate
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Majolica
18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
1850s Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
14k Gold
Mid-18th Century Portuguese Antique Rococo Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-18th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Stone, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Early 18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Brass
1990s Italian Rococo Furniture
Hardwood
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1920s English Vintage Rococo Furniture
Iron
1760s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
1880s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Other
18th Century Spanish Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver, Other
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
20th Century Spanish Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Agate, Coral, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Carrara Marble
1760s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1750s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Late 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Oak
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Malachite, Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Mahogany
2010s American Rococo Furniture
Canvas, Ash, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s British Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Fruitwood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
18th Century European Antique Rococo Furniture
Stone, Other
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Metal, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Coral, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Glass
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Gesso, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Pyrite, Gold Plate
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Stone
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Spanish Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu