Rococo Furniture
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.
1880s Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
1780s Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Rococo Furniture
Walnut
1930s American Vintage Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
19th Century European Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze, Other
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Iron
1770s French Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Early 19th Century Peruvian Antique Rococo Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Rococo Furniture
Birch
18th Century Scandinavian Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Nutwood, Fir
20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century German Rococo Furniture
Faience
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Swedish Vintage Rococo Furniture
Pine
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s American Antique Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood, Glass, Gesso
Early 20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Tapestry, Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Rococo Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Furniture
Sterling Silver
2010s American Rococo Furniture
Ceramic
1930s American Vintage Rococo Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s European Antique Rococo Furniture
Silver
18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
Oak, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Rococo Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Giltwood
Early 19th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Rococo Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Quartz, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Metal, Tôle
Late 20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Swedish Rococo Furniture
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Rococo Furniture
Composition
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Furniture
Pine
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Delft
18th Century German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Furniture
Delft