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 Victorian Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Rolling Sewing Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Victorian Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Sewing Table on wheels with a compartmented top drawer and large storage lower drawer. Very good antique condition.
Mahogany
French Sewing Table, Manner of Alphonse Giroux Paris, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
French Sewing Table, manner of Alphonse Giroux, Paris, 19th century. This pretty small sewing table has a beautiful birds eye maple veneer and its...
Birdseye Maple
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Country Work Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish country work table in gustavian style from the early 1800s, most likely from the years between 1810 and 1820. The table is from Northern Sweden and is a strong piece with a s...
Pine
19th Century French Bistro Table
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
French bistro table, made of iron, wonderful aged patina, circa 1920.
Steel
Victorian Walnut Sewing Table
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very nice earl Victorian Burl walnut sewing stand and work table in very good condition. This unique piece has a fold out writing or work surface under...
Walnut
19th Century General Store Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Store table from Rooker's General store in Gadsen, TN. Rooker's opened for business in 1862. These tables were used for displaying wallpaper rolls. Perfect...
Wood, Paint
$1,625Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.34 in W 21.66 in D 16.54 in
19th Century Sewing or Side Table Made of Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful sewing or side table made of walnut, solid and veneer with ribbon inlays. The table dates back to the time of Altdeutscher Stil period, circa 1870. In very good restored co...
Pine, Walnut
$1,595
H 18 in W 17 in D 32.5 in
Early 20th Century Carved Trestle-Base Sewing Table with Twin Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th-century sewing table with a decoratively carved trestle base and warm brown finish. The rectangular top sits above two narrow drawers, giving the piece a compact work surf...
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Sewing Table, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Original 19th century Biedermeier sewing table, mahogany veneer. This unique exquisite table comes from Northern Germany. The locking, hinged lid raises to reveal nine compartments,...
Mahogany
19th Century French Patisserie Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century French patisserie table. A rare model with decorative rams heads and its original marble top. Circa 1860.
Marble, Iron
19th Century Victorian Period Burr Walnut Davenport Desk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 19th century figured burr walnut Davenport desk. The piano top fall lifts to reveal 2 burr walnut veneered drawers and a pull out and ...
Walnut
Early 19th Century American Classical Sewing Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A fine and rare, beautifully restored American Classical period sewing stand work table in mahogany and rosewood. Elegantly sophisticated, this scarce antique is a wonderful example of high quality early 19th century American craftsmanship. Exhibiting fine detail throughout, the exquisitely handcrafted work table features a hinged shaped top with rounded corners, curved concave front, stunning highly figured matched rosewood inlay complimented by mahogany cross banded edge, set over a conforming shaped case. Lifting the top opens to reveal a fitted interior divided into eight compartments, including a hinged lid with built-in flip-up pin cushion, various size shaped lids are finished in mahogany accented by contrasting satinwood string banded border, a faux drawer front with contrasting mother-of-pearl escutcheon rests above a single frieze drawer with hand carved dovetail joinery and original turned wooden pull. Below, a perfectly proportioned carved, turned and fluted solid mahogany central pedestal rises from a shaped platform base, in true Empire fashion, the base is further raised on ornately carved paw feet. Beautiful, rich antique mahogany color...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
$1,472Sale Price|30% Off
H 27.96 in W 20.87 in D 14.97 in
19th Century French Writing Sewing Stand in Bird's-Eye Maple Veneer
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century French writing sewing stand made of bird's eye maple veneer, circa 1830 top lifts to reveal original mirror frame and moving compartments. Very good condition for its ag...
Walnut