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.
Antique Swedish Rococo Desk with Light Blue Paint, Drawer and Curved Rococo Legs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish rococo desk from the late 1700s. The desk is a country house furniture in rococo style with a large drawer. Heavily curved rococo legs and also a curved table top and...
Pine
A Blue Rococo 18th Century Writing Table With Drawer, Finland
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful 18th Rococo writing table in absolutely original condition. The table features a single drawer and a beautiful vintage patina with the original...
Pine
French Louis XV Style Dame Bureau Plat, Desk With Marquetry And Bronze Mounting
Located in Vienna, AT
Hardwood frame with a marquetry in a different kind of wood and bronze mountings. Three drawers with keys. Fully restored with a glossy fnish.
Bronze
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century French Carved Oak Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a fabulous quality, very highly carved table made in France, circa 1920. The table has extremely Fine quality carvings throughout. The side...
Oak
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Florentine Table with Ornate Carved Gilt base
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 21.75 inches high x 24.5 inches wide x 24.5 inches deep This elegant Italian Florentine table is a beautiful example of the renowned pietra dura inlay tradition, a decor...
Composition, Marble
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Italian writing desk is a stunning celebration of Venetian Rococo artistry, bringing the romanticism of 18th-century European design into the modern home. The ...
Brass
Fine 18th Century French Games Table with removable Leathertop Writing Desk
Located in Richmond, VA
Fine 18th century French walnut games table and leathertop writing desk. The table features a removable leather top that flips over to a baize covered card table. Beneath the removab...
Leather, Baize, Walnut
18th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Rococo Desk/ Table with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
18th century Swedish Antique Rustic provincial rococo table/ desk from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. A very rustic rococo desk with incred...
Pine
$31,200Sale Price|20% Off
Venetian Rococo Gilt Painted Faux Stone Console Entry Table Office Desk Antique
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Venetian Rococo gilt painted faux stone console entry table office desk antique. An exceptional large 18th century serpentine front and sides molded...
Wood, Paint, Giltwood
French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An imposing Louis XV ebonized writing table with finely chased gilt bronze mounts. The stepped moulded rectangular top inset with the original gilt-tooled leather above three frieze drawers with elaborate ormolu handles and escutcheons, the reverse conformingly organized with three simulated drawers, allowing this bureau plat to be freestanding, the cabriole legs with sabot feet headed by female masks. The iconic Coco chancel lived with a Rococo writing desk...
Bronze
Vintage Custom Venetian Antique Rococo Style Antique White Carved Executive Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Custom Venetian Antique Rococo Style Antique White Carved Hand Painted with Leather Top 9 Drawer Executive Desk Make a dramatic statement with this Vintage Custom Venetian ...
Wood
$3,420 / item
Contemporary Console Table in Gold Leaf
Located in New Orleans, LA
The custom regal gilded finish on this Tara Shaw Maison collection console table ensures it will stand out in any space. Pairs with Tara Shaw's gold leaf martini table. Handcrafted i...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Rococo 18th Century Writing Table with Drawer, Origin: Sweden, Circa 1760
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Rococo 18th century writing table with single drawer with accentuated cabriole legs, origin: Sweden, circa 1760 with all original green color. The purity of the design lac...
Pine, Paint
Hendrix Allardyce Rococo Style Lacquered Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime rococo style lacquered library table or writing table desk crafted by Hendrix Allardyce Hollywood, California. The desk is fronted by a large storage drawer with a round bras...
Brass
Louis XV Style Kingwood & Ormolu Bureau Plat by Simon Loscertales
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A beautifully crafted Louis XV French style bureau plat, made in the 1960s by Simon Loscertales and distinguished by its exquisite Kingwood veneer, ornate bronze ormolu mounts, and r...
Bronze
Vintage French Provincial Style Carved Antique White Writing Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Provincial Style Carved Antique White 3 Drawer French Mahogany Inlay & Book Matched Satin Writing Desk Vintage French Provincial 3-drawer writing desk with an ant...
Mahogany
French Rococo Style Walnut & Gilt Bronze Bureau Plat
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant French rococo style bureau plat writing desk made in walnut with ormolu accents. Features a top with a tooled leather writing-surface w...
Bronze
Italian Rococo Serpentine Desk in Venetian Walnut, Circa 1750s
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian (18th Century) walnut serpentine shaped desk with 2 side doors and 2 narrow front doors above a drawer with a pull out front interior chair having a left arm.
Walnut, Upholstery
Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine 18th century Swedish Rococo desk / console table with one drawer and in Its original colour. Ca 1770 Sweden.
Pine
Norwegian Rococo Painted Table, Hand-Carved Pine, 18th Century Design
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Norwegian table from the late 18th century, that is a Scandinavian interpretation of Italian Baroque tastes with exaggerated features to feel as if a completely original s...
Iron
Italian Rococo Writing Table
By Guiseppe Biondo
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Italian walnut rococo writing table, the lovely faded olive inset leather top with gilt tooled edge and thumb molded walnut banding over molded frieze with single drawer, the ap...
Leather, Poplar, Walnut
18th Century Swedish Rococo Painted Writing Table with Three Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Swedish Rococo writing table dating from the 18th century, crafted in wood and raised on four elegantly curved cabriole legs. The table features a rectangular overhanging top above ...
Brass
$11,611Sale Price|50% Off
19th Century Rococo Style Ladies' Desk from Royal Collection
Located in London, GB
19th Century Rococo style ladies' desk inlaid with light wood in the form of flowers and foliage, cabriole legs with attached brass fittings, frame with drawer. At the bottom with fi...
Hardwood
Italian Rococo Early 19th Century Oak Table with Carved Apron and Cabriole Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Rococo style walnut and oak table from the early 19th century, with serpentine top, carved apron, cabriole legs and petite casters. Created in Italy during the early years...
Brass
Italian Rococo Style Table, Desk With Faux-Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Mid 19th Century Italian Table / Desk with Original Paint and Faux Marble Top, Wonderfully Carved Apron and Cabriole Legs on Scroll Feet. ...
Wood
$1,600
H 29.5 in W 88 in D 28.33 in
The Hawthorn Desk, Antique Long Wooden Writing Desk with Single Drawer
Located in New York, NY
This antique wooden desk carries a quiet strength, its well-worn surface rich with texture and history. A single drawer, fitted with a simple pull, offers practicality without excess...
Wood
$5,995
H 29.5 in W 94.5 in D 35.25 in
Early 20th Century French Oak Monastery Table, Dining Table, Farm Table, Trestle
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Found in the region of Normandy, France, this early twentieth century artisan-made oak monastery table or dining table features a 2.75 inch thick top made from three planks of wood. ...
Oak
$10,500
H 31 in W 52 in D 31 in
Louis XV Style French Kingwood Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Bureau Plat 'Desk'
By Jean-Pierre Latz
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19th century French Bureau Plat in kingwood and amaranth parquetry with three drawers to one side with gilt bronze decoration all round; notable are the drawer handles modelled with Chinese heads; the two ends decorated with Apollo heads...
Kingwood
Sold|$1,350
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 29 in L 29.5 in
Early 20th Century French Oak, Writing Table, Game Table, or Breakfast Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Found in the region of Normandy, this French writing table from the turn of the early twentieth century is constructed of solid oak and features a single drawer on one side. The tabl...
Oak
1970s Writing Desk, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item was carefully refurbished - sturdy and stable - mahogany veneer
Metal
$2,568
H 30.71 in W 79.14 in D 35.44 in
Early 20th Century French Rustic Oak & Elm Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This elegant table was made in France in the 20th century. The table was made in oak & elm with beautiful grain patterns. It has a very warm color and the table shows marks of use, o...
Wood
$125,000
H 30.5 in W 79.5 in D 38 in L 30.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood Bureau-Plat Desk
By H. Conquet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and large French 19th century Louis XV style ormolu mounted (gilt bronze) kingwood and walnut bureau plat by H. Conquet after a model by Charles Cressent. The shaped rect...
Bronze
$10,000
H 30 in W 94.38 in D 39.25 in
Antique French Oak Trestle Dining Table, Early 20th Century, Lyon
Located in Astoria, NY
An early 20th-century French oak monastery trestle dining table, sourced in Lyon, France. Distinguished by its substantial proportions and sculptural architectural base, the table dr...
Oak
$3,495
H 29.5 in W 63 in D 32.75 in
Early 20th Century French Bleached Oak Monastery Table, Dining Table, Trestle
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale bleached artisan-made oak monastery table or dining table from the turn of the twentieth century is from the region of Normandy, France. Resting on a sturdy trestle ...
Oak
$2,454
H 30.32 in W 79.53 in D 36.23 in
Antique Oak Early 20th Century French Rustic Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This elegant table was made in France in the early 20th century. The table was made in solid oak with beautiful grain patterns. It has a very warm light color and the table shows man...
Oak
$913
H 29.93 in W 41.34 in D 25.6 in
19th-Century Walnut Writing Desk with Turned Legs and Spacious Drawer
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
An elegant 19th-century writing desk crafted in solid walnut wood, distinguished by its refined proportions, graceful turned legs, and timeless classical character. This sophisticate...
Walnut
$18,950Sale Price|44% Off
H 30 in W 68 in D 36 in
A French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Satinwood 3-Drawer Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted satinwood bureau plat (desk). The gilt banded rectangular top set with gilt bronze acanthus mounts at the corners centering a gilt banded ...
Bronze
18th Century French Walnut Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut writing table with a banded and beveled edge around the top, following down to a simple apron containing a singl...
Walnut
Antique Hand-Painted Floral Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful and unique writing desk is rustic yet utilitarian, and would work well as either a decorative piece or as a genuine work space in an apartment, office, or bedroom. Pla...
Wood
$4,394Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.94 in W 39.38 in D 63 in
Mid 20th Century Carved Marquetered Country French Provincial Oak Dining Table
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Mid 20th century country french provincial oak dining table in the style of Jean-Charles Moreux. Circa 1940 The table featur...
Oak
Swedish 20th Century Black Rococo-Style Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Made in Sweden in the twentieth century, this black Rococo-style writing desk has a tabletop framed on three sides and a subtly curved front edge. The Rococo style is seen in the sha...
Wood
Rare 18th Century Gustavian Writing Desk
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Swedish Rococo Secretary Desk retaining beautifully worn black surface with blue undertones and rich natural patina throughout. The shaped case with serpentine sides opens to a near ...
Wood
Sold
H 37.01 in W 35.83 in D 19.69 in
Antique Swedish Period Rococo Secretary Desk with Drawers and Original Hardware
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique period rococo secretary desk from the late 1700s. This Swedish antique is made by hand in solid pine with elegant, curved proportions characteristic to the rococo period. The...
Pine
Sold
H 31.75 in W 41.75 in D 23.5 in
Italian Early Rococo Period Walnut 1-drawer Writing Table, ca. 1740
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with concave sides and shaped rounded corners atop a case housing one drawer with a shaped apron, the case raised on cabriole legs terminating on hoof feet
Walnut
French Louis XV Rococo Style Painted Desk or Dining Table
Located in Houston, US
French Louis XV Rococo style painted desk or dining table featuring beautiful patina and carved legs.
Wood, Paint
French Antique Desk Writing Table - Rococo Furniture
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Gorgoeus French shaped writing table or desk - Love the shape to the top with elegant curves - We date this desk to circa 1930 - Features intricate marquetry inlay work with floral...
Wood
19th Century Rococo Walnut Six Drawer Desk from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century rococo desk crafted in walnut with veneer and darker trim detailing along the desk top edge. The desk is freestanding, with finished presentation on the reverse; there a...
Walnut
Vintage Olive Burl Writing Desk, Louis XV Style, Mid-Century
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Vintage olive burl solid wood writing desk in Louis XV Style . Likely a mid-to-late 20th-century revival piece. Its design is a fantastic match for the neoclassical and Art Nouveau a...
Wood, Olive, Fruitwood
18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A beautifully crafted French Rococo writing desk from the Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century. This desk features hand carved detailing throughout and cabriolet legs. Very versat...
Oak
Swedish Rococo table circa 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant Swedish Rococo table circa 1780, showcasing the sinuous charm and refined craftsmanship of the period. This sculptural piece features a shaped top with serpentine edges, g...
Pine
18th Century French Rococo Library Table
Located in Bozeman, MT
Exceptional 18th century Rococo centre library table in it's original color with great finish. Incredibly rare piece due to the length and condition. Ca 1750 France.
Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 44.25 in D 24 in
Italian, Sicily, Louis XV Period Rosewood & Brass Writing Table, mid 18th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
this versatile and layered writing table is epertly crafted of rosewood veneers with brass detailing, the sliding top with bookmatched veneers opens to reveal a leather writing surfa...
Brass
Remarkable 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Allerum, SE
Remarkable Swedish 18th century rococo desk in Its original colour with gallery containing four compartments and two drawers. Fantastic patinated surface and proportions. Ca 1760 Swe...
Pine
Louis XV Walnut Side Table
Located in Chireno, TX
Louis XV walnut side table circa 1730-1759. Hand-carved in French walnut, circa 1730-1759, for a provincial market. Mortise and tenon joints...
Walnut
19th Century Rococo Soft Blue Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period Rococo desk from Dalarna Sweden. With decorative curved legs and one single drawer. Repainted in soft light blue.
Wood