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.
1880s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Cane, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Fruitwood
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver Plate
1860s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Velvet, Poplar, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Antique Rococo Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
Mid-19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1850s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
1890s Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Metal
1870s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Plate
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1850s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Unknown Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
1870s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1850s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
1880s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Terracotta
19th Century American Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
1870s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Pottery
1880s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Fabric
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
1860s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1820s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic, Pearlware, Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Copper
1860s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Copper
1860s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Delft
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1860s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Textile, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood