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.
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Linen, Silk
20th Century French Rococo Furniture
Textile
Late 20th Century Turkish Rococo Furniture
Silk, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
1890s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Glass
Late 20th Century Persian Rococo Furniture
Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Turkish Rococo Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Rococo Furniture
Giltwood, Mirror
Mid-19th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Wool, Canvas
1810s English Antique Rococo Furniture
Brass
2010s Rococo Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Down, Feathers
Early 20th Century European Rococo Furniture
Wood, Mirror
1940s French Vintage Rococo Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Rococo Furniture
Linen
1950s German Vintage Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Rococo Furniture
Wood
1890s German Antique Rococo Furniture
Porcelain
1990s Italian Rococo Furniture
Cotton
1980s English Vintage Rococo Furniture
Tapestry, Wool
Early 19th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Creamware
Late 18th Century English Antique Rococo Furniture
Creamware
1770s Danish Antique Rococo Furniture
1930s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture
1920s Italian Vintage Rococo Furniture
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Furniture
Ormolu