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.
$295 / set
Pair Of Italian Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of fine Italian gilt wood wall shelves with a sweeping acanthus leaf supporting the shaped shelf. Two small metal hooks for hanging. Dimensions: 10 1/2" W x 5 3/4" D x 11" H C...
Giltwood
$12,500 / set
18th Century Italian Rococo Pine Wall Brackets
Located in San Marino, CA
Pair of 18th century Italian Venetian Rococo painted and gilt pine wall brackets.
Pine
$1,707Sale Price|44% Off
18th Century French Gilt Wood Sculptured Wall-Consoles
Located in Sofia, BG
18th century wall suspended consoles from France. Beautifully constructed in gilt wood and ornamented with a Rococo influence. The quality of th...
Giltwood
Pair Mid-Century Venetian Wall Shelf of Gilded Carved Acanthus Italy
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair of old petite venetian wall shelves, in gilded carved acanthus. W 6.5 x D 3 5/8 x H 7.5 in
Wood
19th Century French Pair of Small Gilt Wood Hand Carved Consoles in Rococo Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century French pair of small gilt wood hand carved wall mounted consoles in Rococo style. Both made with symmetrical decoration and ornaments all in very good authentic conditio...
Giltwood
Antique Italian Etagere in Walnut with Mahoganywood Inlay
Located in Casteren, NL
A delicate Italian étagère with four shelves on turned columns with finials on top. The étagère is made in walnut and has intricate inlaid designs in mahogany that is also called int...
Mahogany, Walnut
Italian Rococo Carved Wood Faux Bois Figural Wall Shelf / Architectural Element
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Rococo-style wooden wall bracket / shelf / architectural element featuring a carved face below an upper shelf with carved and shaped beveled edge, treated with a faux bois pa...
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Baroque Grey Painted Dragon Wall Shelves
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 18th Century Rococo Period Painted Wall Sconces are remarkable works, celebrating the asymmetrical naturalism of the movement with stylized shell, acanthus foliage and wildflowe...
Hardwood
Italian Rococo Gilt Bracket Shelf
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Rococo Revival (19/20th Cent) carved gilt wood wall bracket shelf with a white marble top. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Giltwood
Vintage Italian Rococo Silver & Gold Giltwood Carved Large Wall Shelf Bracket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Rococo Silver & Gold Giltwood Large Carved Wall Shelf Bracket. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 23" W x 10" D.
Wood
$12,950 / set
Pair of 18th Century Venetian Rococo Wall Shelves
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of 18th Century Venetian Rococo carved wood and gold gilded wall shelves. These are finely carved from wood and have a delicate curled scrol...
Gold Leaf
Four Decorative Porcelain Wall Brackets of Satyr Form
Located in London, GB
These wall brackets have been beautifully modelled and painted by hand. They take the form of satyrs, who were woodland gods in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. They are traditiona...
Porcelain
A Pair of Carved Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of giltwood wheat motif wall shelves, Italy, mid 20th Century, the good size measuring 15 inches high, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 iches deep.
Giltwood
$1,398
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 8.47 in
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Wall Cabinet / Small Cabinet Carved Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely antique 19th century Neoclassical wall cabinet / small cabinet Germany 1880. This German Grunderzeit cabinet is made from hand carved oak & is richly decorated. A true display of craftsmanship & quality. This cabinet has 2 doors and comes with a working lock & key. Its interior has 2 oak shelves. The cabinet has a very nice old restoration to the right side dating from the 1940s. A piece of furniture history with the right antique charm...
Brass
Carved shelf in gilded wood - Florence, mid-19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Fine Florentine shelf dating from the mid-19th century, entirely hand-carved in solid wood and finely gilded with gold leaf. The work features very rich sculptural work, with phytomo...
Gold Leaf
Antique English Barley Twist Carved Fruitwood Wall Shelf / Etagere
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century large scale English wall shelf with barley twist supports. It is in very good condition for its age. Proper anchoring is...
Oak
18th Century English Wall Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century Georgian oak wall shelf with stepped crown molding which has dental detail as well, following down to a lovely hand scalloped apron over four shelves. the shelves a...
Oak
$1,528
H 22.45 in W 13 in D 6.3 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Richly Carved Wall Cabinet 19th Century Brass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Luxurious & romantic French Renaissance revival Wall cabinet / small cabinet , richly carved & decorated with brass. Very nice craftsmanship with impressive carvings. When opened...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Pair of Wooden Shelves, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century pair of wooden shelves, 1980s. Pair of black painted wooden shelves with steel finishes in different sizes. 1980s. Go...
Steel
19th Century Mahogany Corner Bracket with Inlaid Vignettes
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century mahogany corner bracket with inlaid vignettes. The vignettes depict a woman and a man fishing.
$2,300
H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in
18th Century Carved Giltwood Shelf / Wall Bracket / Architectural Corbel
Located in Madrid, ES
This hand carved giltwood shelf / wall bracket or architectural corbel clearly displays the strength, drama and beauty of Spanish Baroque style. The cen...
Wrought Iron
18th Century French Gilded Wall Hanging Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An 18th century French gilded wall hanging plaque, dating back to around 1750. This ornately shaped panel would have originally formed part of a panelled interior and has been adapte...
Oak
18th Century Wall Console in Wood
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant carved wall console in wood with acanthus leaf decoration from the 18th century Very beautiful patina and in very good condition Note: the upper part has been redone with a...
Giltwood
19th Century French Mahogany Wood Shelf with Twisted Column
Located in Austin, TX
19th century French mahogany wood shelf with twisted column.
Wood, Mahogany
Pair of 18th Century Italian Gilded Angel Sconces
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Pair of 18th century Italian gilded angel sconces. The pair originally came from a church in Tuscany and once adorned the wall of the historical church. They are hand-carved and gil...
Gold Leaf, Metal
Meissen Porcelain Wall Shelves
Located in New Orleans, LA
A fine pair of ebonized wood wall shelves mounted with colorful Meissen porcelain of the highest quality. Excellent condition. Circa 1870 11 1/2" wide x 10" high
Porcelain
Pair of Rococo Figural Cupid Wall Sconce Shelves 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Pair of Rococo Figural Cupid Wall Sconce Shelves, Painted Molded Resin, 20thC Measures- 11.5"H x 12.5"W x 8"D
Resin
Sold
H 40 in W 40 in D 15.4 in
Swedish Rococo 1770s Painted Wood Wall Cabinet with Chapeau de Gendarme Cornice
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood wall cabinet from the late 18th century, with chapeau de gendarme cornice, two doors and two drawers. Created in Sweden during the third quarter ...
Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 44 in D 12.3 in
Swedish 1770s Rococo Painted Wall Cabinet with Chapeau de Gendarme Style Cornice
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood wall cabinet from the late 18th century, with chapeau de gendarme style cornice, two doors and three inner drawers. Created in Sweden during the ...
Wood
Rococo Gilded and Lacquered Italian Pair of Gueridon
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of gueridons in gilded, lacquered wood. Florentin artist made, from the second half of the 18th century The bases of these elegant consoles are a weave of leaf, flower, and bran...
Wood
Sold
H 6 in W 19 in D 5.25 in
Midcentury Italian Carved Giltwood Rococo Style Wall Brackets / Shelves, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a diminutive pair of Italian carved giltwood Rococo style wall shelves or brackets by Decorative Crafts. They are poplar and an unusual size. The shelves are in very good vin...
Giltwood
Large Florentine Giltwood Wall Shelf
Located in Houston, TX
Oversized 19th Century giltwood Florentine wall shelf.
Giltwood
Sold
H 43.25 in W 42 in D 14.3 in
Swedish Rococo Style 19th Century Black Painted Wall Cabinet with Bonnet Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style painted wood wall hanging cabinet from the 19th century, with bonnet top, black painted finish, two doors and distressed patina. Created in Sweden during the 19th century, this Rococo style wooden wall cabinet...
Wood
Sold
H 43.25 in W 40 in D 14.3 in
Swedish Rococo Style 19th Century Grey Painted Wall Cabinet with Distressing
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style painted wood wall cabinet from the 19th century, with angular pediment, distressed grey paint, molded accents and two doors. Created in Sweden during the 19th century, this Rococo style wall cabinet features an angular pediment with molded accents, sitting above two simple doors. These doors open to reveal light painted inner shelves offering convenient storage opportunities, including an upper serpentine one, made to store spoons. The ensemble is painted in a soft grey color with great distressing, typical of the Swedish taste aiming at brightening the rooms during the dark and long Scandinavian winters. The sides are sans décor and the back is, of course, unfinished. With its Rococo lines, rustic character and nicely weathered appearance, this grey painted Swedish Rococo style wooden wall...
Wood
Sold
H 6.25 in W 12.5 in D 5.25 in
2 Italian Florentine Rococo Gold Gilt Winged Cherub Angel Bust Shelf Sconces
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two vintage cherub/angel/putti wall sconces or shelves painted gold, Made in Italy. Measure: 13".
Hardwood, Paint
Charming, French Marble Console Wall Shelf
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Charming, French marble console wall shelf A beautiful console style wall shelf this is a Half moon shaped Marble top set on a wall fixed bra...
Marble