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.
Exclusive Rococo Vidal Grau Dressing Table, C 1970 / Matching Furniture Avail
By Vidal Grau
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely rare circa 1970 rococo Vidal Grau dressing table. Their furniture range was based on a contemporary design using traditional quality...
Wood
18th Century Rococo Poudreuse
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Rococo poudreuse made in Stockholm, most likely by Christian Linning the Elder, circa 1760s. The piece showcases extremely high-quality craftsmanship with an advanced construction ...
Jacaranda, Pine
$1,250 / set
H 51.19 in W 36.62 in D 12.6 in
Cool Dutch 1970's Space Age Vanity Dressing Table & Matching Wallmounted Mirror
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fantastic 1970's Space Age Bedroom Vanity / Dressing Table The Vanity has an adjustable mirror and a drawer unit for storing your make up goodies ...
Brass
18th century Louis XVI Dressing Table
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI dressing table, France 1780. For the beautiful marquetry, the maker combined two types of veneer: Walnut and kingwood. The dressing...
Kingwood, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Provincial rococo table from the late 18th century. The table can be used as either a side table or a window table or wherever it fits best. Ma...
Pine
Scandinavian Dressing Table in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dressing or vanity table, teak, mirror, Scandinavia, 1950s. This refined, delicate dressing table is made in Scandinavia in the 1950s. The piece features the quintessential bow tie ...
Mirror, Teak
English Bamboo Dressing Table
Located in New York, NY
Impressive English bamboo dressing table adorned with beveled mirror. Beautifully lacquered top in a richly textured floral chinoiserie motif w...
Bamboo
$2,795
H 29.38 in W 40.13 in D 19 in
Kindel Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Fruitwood Vanity Dressing Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century French Regency Louis XVI vanity dressing table with flip-up mirror By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved fruitwood, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
Mahogany duchess dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany duchess dressing table, the original mirror plate in the moulded frame between carved supports, To the base with a large mahogany top above an arrangement of freeze drawers....
Wood
French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous Louis XV style vanity or "poudreuse" dates back to the mid 19th century and comes from France. The woman's dressing table has a very pretty walnut veneer pattern. The m...
Walnut
Mahogany dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany dressing table of small proportions, the shield-shaped bevelled mirror. Flanked by short drawers to each side above the figured mahogany top. The base section is fitted with...
Wood
LXV Style Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
Made in the French LXV style, this dressing table has been hand carved in solid wood, featuring the ornamental shell of the Rococo period. The design integrates a large adjustable mi...
Wood
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
Dutch Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Dutch mahogany and marquetry inlaid dressing table the arched mirror between tapered uprights to the base section fitted with long frieze drawer over a ...
Wood
Lovely French Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Very pretty French painted kidney shaped dressing table with bergere panels, three drawers and bevelled mirror, with matching bergere chhair, in very good overall condition. 59" hig...
Beech
Sold
H 30.5 in W 33.5 in D 16 in
Antique Rococo Style Venetian Hand Painted Vanity Desk & Side Tables, Set of 3
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Rococo Style Venetian Hand Painted vanity desk with 2 Single-Drawer Side Tables - 3 Piece Set Rare & Unique Antique Venetian Hand-Craft...
Wood, Paint
French 1920s Dressing Table and Chair
Located in London, GB
From 1920s France this Rococo styled set is a very decorative white painted kidney bean shaped dressing table and chair. The dressing tabl...
Cane, Glass, Beech
Sold
H 81.25 in W 45.5 in D 21.75 in
Antique French Oak & Marble Dressing Table with Tri-Fold Mirror, Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French dressing table offers oak construction with tri-fold mirror with gadroon cartouche surmounting marble top case with two...
Marble
18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusually small 18th century Swedish Rococo desk with one drawer and gilt bronze mounts, circa 1770, Stockholm, Sweden.
Wood
Italian Rococo Carved Walnut Vanity Table, Mid-18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a shaped top with rounded front corners, the top hinged in the rear and having an inset mirror on the underside, the conforming case with shaped and carved apron atop scrollin...
Walnut
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Dressing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lavish bird's-eye maple dressing table is a work of astounding artistry and rarity. The piece is elaborately embellished with exquisite Meissen Porcelain throughout. Exquisitely...
Porcelain, Mirror
Antique 19th Century Italian Giltwood Vanity Mirrors, Set of Two
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of antique Italian oval vanity boudoir giltwood wall mirrors with ribbon shaped ornaments at the top in Rococo style. Italy, late 19th century. All original pieces. The glass c...
Giltwood
18th Century Rococo Marquetry Vanity Console Table
Located in Berlin, DE
A Genoese mid-18th century trellis work marquetry vanity or console table, with a serpentine top opening to reveal a bevelled and arched mirror, with a bombe fronted set with a singl...
Mirror, Walnut
20th Century Italian Polychrome Vanity in the Rococo Style
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Gorgeous Italian vanity has the original finish in a dark mustard tone, with hand-painted bouquets of flowers. There are two working small drawers and mirror, that looks to be origin...
Wood
19th Century Venetian Rococo Style Painted Vanity
Located in New York, NY
Italy original hand-painted vanity with carved framed mirror and cabriole legs.
Vintage French Louis XV Style Lacquered Commode
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Outstanding vintage Louis XV style two-drawer commode with a very pale gray distressed lacquer finish, silver leaf detailing and ormolu; great quality and style at an affordable price. Would even make a phenomenal powder room sink...
Silver Leaf, Ormolu