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 Rustic Charming Pine Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Rococo drop-leaf table from Sweden, crafted around 1770. The table has one leaf, originally the table most likely had two but one has disappeared during the passage of time. ...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Rococo Folding Table with Tripod Base, Antique
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo folding table. With decorative tripod base. Scraped back to secondary paint.
Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Drop-Leaf Table with Salmon Pink Paint
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A period Swedish Rococo table with two drawers and one short drop leaf. In completely untouched original Salmon pink paint.
Wood
Swedish Drop Leaf Gate Leg Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Swedish style gate leg table with one drop leaf. The top can be separated from the base by pulling out a peg on each end. Table is 28.5" tall, 40" long and 36" wide when open...
Pine
$1,000
H 26.5 in W 21 in D 38 in
Antique Early American Pine Drop Leaf Farmhouse Dining Breakfast Table Console
Located in Dayton, OH
A quaint early 20th century farmhouse drop leaf breakfast table or console. A rectangular form made from pine with cut corners along the lea...
Pine
$5,600
H 29.5 in W 70.25 in D 51.25 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Drop-Leaf Table Gate Leg Console
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Swedish pine drop-leaf table with gate-leg construction and a narrow, highly versatile form. The table features a newer professionally applied layered soft green p...
Pine, Paint
Swedish Painted Pedestal Drop-Leaf Table, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming Swedish table from around 1880, designed with two drop-leaf flaps that allow the piece to expand or contract as needed. The table is supported by a central turned pedestal...
Pine
19th Century English Regency Folding Table or Tripod
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare original English Regency folding table or tripod table 18th-19th century. Through and through massive mahogany. Slim ballroom shank, of whi...
Wood, Mahogany
18th Century Portuguese Chestnut Drop Leaf Dining Console Table
Located in Round Top, TX
18th century Portuguese chestnut drop leaf dining table which may also serve as a console. This form includes a single drawer on each end, turned legs, 2 gate legs, and a trestle bas...
Chestnut
Antique Swedish Gustavian Drop-Leaf Table, Pinewood, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian Klaffbord (drop-leaf) table made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian foldable dining, kitchen table has a grey-blue finish, sup...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Pine Drop-Leaf Gate Leg Table
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish pine drop-leaf gate leg table with a versatile, functional design. The gate leg base allows the legs to adjust as the leaves are raised or lowered. A single draw...
Pine
Antique Cherry Shaped Drop Leaf Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine antique cherry dining table with a nice grain and shaped hinged leaves. The plain apron is raised on turned tapering legs on peg feet. ...
Cherry
$3,352
H 28.75 in W 44.89 in D 45.67 in
19th Century Swedish antique Folk Art Drop leaf table with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Folk Art drop-leaf table in painted pine. The table is in a very unusual model with a drawer and a door at the front. Nice storage inside.Untouched original condition with original ...
Pine
19th Century Biedermeier Folding Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique Biedermeier folding table, circa 1830. Veneer on solid wood. Veneer framed in thread and stripes. Turned on both sides turned columns ...
Wood, Maple
Swedish Karl Johan (Biedermeier), Drop-Leaf Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Karl Johan drop-leaf center table of red mahogany gracefully shaped pedestal base. Dimensions: 52.5" Wide when the leaves are up and 32" Wide when they are down 28.25" Deep 28.75" High
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Baroque Drop Leaf Table
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish Baroque drop leaf table with leg support on each side- extending table to 59" wide. One leaf dropped to 39" wide and both leaves dropped only to 21" wide. Very...
Iron
Swedish Drop-Leaf Table, 18th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful oversized 18th century rustic Swedish Rococo farmhouse table. Original paint with aged ochre patina. Two drop-leafs with single drawer offers many possibilities for uses. ...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual drop-leaf table in Rococo from Sweden. The table is made circa 1770 and has double leafs and fold out legs. Dry scraped by hand down to the original first layer of paint. The...
Pine
Antique Swedish Rococo Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This antique Swedish Rococo drop-leaf table still features traces of its original paint, and has a wonderful age-worn patina. Both sides can be ...
Wood
Swedish 18th Century Rococo Drop-Leaf Table, circa 1760
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Rococo drop-leaf table with elegant cabriole legs, circa 1760, Origin: Sweden, all original 18th century paint This 18th century Swedish, Rococo drop-leaf table is multifunc...
Pine, Paint
Fine George III Mahogany Pembroke or Supper Table
By Matthias Lock
Located in London, by appointment only
The rectangular twin-flap top above a mahogany-lined frieze drawer, the reverse with a simulated drawer, on carved cabriole legs headed by foliate carving, with a concave-sided shall...