Rococo Drawings
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.
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Glass, Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Tapestry, Wool, Silk
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Late 18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Mid-18th Century Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Belgian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wool, Silk
Late 20th Century American Rococo Drawings
Glass, Wood, Paper, Crayon
19th Century Antique Rococo Drawings
Wood, Paper
1980s American Vintage Rococo Drawings
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper, Crayon
1790s French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wool
1680s French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wool
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wool
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wood, Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Glass, Gouache