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.
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Steel, Metal
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Delft
Late 19th Century Israeli Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
1880s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1880s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Opaline Glass
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1880s American Antique Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1830s Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Birch
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Leather, Oak
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
1880s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Faience
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Gesso, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
1880s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Cane, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas, Wood
1890s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Antique Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
1860s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain