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.
Italian, Napoli, Rococo Period Cross-grained Walnut Hinged-Top Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Neapolitan walnut cross-banded and parquetry top, 18th century. The shaped rectangular lid is laid in a striking geometric parquetry of cross-grained walnut, framed by a bold cross-...
Walnut
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
Vintage Walnut Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in South Shields, GB
A solid mahogany Art Deco dressing table with a stepped top and large circular mirror set on a shaped backplate. Fitted with two banks of four drawers and a central drawer above the ...
Wood, Walnut
1930s Deco vanity table/dressing table
Located in London, Lambeth
Compact Deco dressing table chrome metal frame with mirrored surface and vanity mirror Cc 1930 French
Chrome
$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
Napoleon III Period Vanity Table or French Travailleuse
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty Napoleon III period three-tier 'travailleuse', or work table, fitted out for use as an elegant vanity unit. The top tray opens with a hinged lid to reveal a mirrored ba...
Brass
Art Deco Teak Dressing Table
Located in Topanga, CA
An Art Deco teak dressing table featuring a beveled mirror at the center. The dresser is designed with a pair of central drawers and side door compartments, combining functionality ...
Teak
$2,300
H 56.3 in W 50.4 in D 15.75 in
1940s, Italy, Chippendale Walnut Mirrored Dressing Table and Burl Walnut Veneer
By Cantu
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1940s, Italy, Chippendale walnut mirrored Dressing table and burl walnut veneer with biselled mirror Cabinet and polished with shellac and wa...
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
$4,622
H 29.14 in W 31.5 in D 17.52 in
18th Century French-style Poudreuse, circa 1780, plum wood and walnut
Located in Münster, DE
Poudreuse, circa 1780, plum wood and walnut, rectangular body with flared legs and hinged panels, several small drawers and false drawers, original interior fittings, shellac finish...
Fruitwood, Nutwood
$3,750
H 29.25 in W 29.75 in D 16 in
18th Century Venetian Rococo Chinoiserie Yellow Polychrome Paint Dressing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most charming authentic antique Venetian Chinoiserie decorated poudreuse (dressing table) with beautifully aged original patina! Venice, Italy, 18th century A wonderful...
Gesso, Mercury Glass, Wood, Oak, Pine, Paint
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
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
$9,500
H 29.5 in W 44.5 in D 25.75 in
Important Beau Brummell Regency Period Flame Mahogany Gentleman's Dressing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and spectacular George III period (1760-1820) Beau Brummell gentleman's dressing table. There is no mistaking this remarkably distinctive table's complex design and superb quality, which is certain to attract attention, add interest, and become a conversational talking point wherever you place it. Metamorphic like, the multipurpose piece transforming from a library table or console - vanity - work table - writing desk) Refined elegant sophistication at its finest, born in late 18th / early 19th century at the height of the George III Regency period, also known as the golden age of classical English furniture design. Exquisitely hand-crafted of the finest mahogany, having a rectangular top with warm, rich, highly figured swirl - flame mahogany, contrasting satinwood string banding and intricate cross-banded inlays, covered with an optional later glass top, above a trio of drawers affixed with beautiful gilt brass lion pull hardware, the center drawer opening to reveal a divided interior fitted with numerous compartments, richly grained mahogany veneered lids, and a lovely Worcester porcelain desk set. Above the drawer a pull-out panel with inset green felt functions as both a writing - work surface extension and brushing slide. Flanking the main drawer, a pair of drawers slide-outward and open to reveal brass hinged large panel mirrors that can also be used to double the work surface, when lifted the mirrors can rotate and additional lidded storage compartments are revealed, including a pin cushion for sewing, horse hair bristle brush, and divided slots coin compartment. Having elegant clean lines, simple apron, highest-quality reinforced drawers to support the additional weight and allow them to fully extend, all rising on tapered square legs, terminating in patinated brass capped feet with casters. Dimensions: (approx) 29.5" High, 44.5" Wide, 25.75" Deep (table form) Provenance: From the Collection of Gloria Monnet Nicholson, Tulsa, Oklahoma Acquisition: Acquired from highly reputable auction house Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. June 2022 Fine Furniture & Decorative Arts Signature Auction #8085 catalog. Who was Beau Brummell: George Bryan "Beau" Brummell (1778–1840) was an important figure in Regency England and, for many years, the arbiter...
Brass
$8,450
H 64.75 in W 36.5 in D 20.5 in
Antique Karl Johan Dressing Table/Vanity & Mirror in Mahogany w/ Rococo Carvings
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite Karl Johan dressing table or vanity in fine West Indies mahogany with elaborate floral and foliate rococo carvings along the mirror frame and center pedestal base. Offer...
Mahogany
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