Rococo Folk Art
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-19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Carrara Marble
18th Century Antique Rococo Folk Art
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Vintage Rococo Folk Art
Plywood, Pine
1850s Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gesso, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Metal, Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Metal, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Silver Plate, Metal
1790s Belgian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Hardwood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
18th Century American Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
1750s French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Terracotta
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Silver Leaf, Metal
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
1750s Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Iron
1880s Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Rococo Folk Art
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Rococo Folk Art
Bone, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
19th Century English Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
Early 20th Century American Rococo Folk Art
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Canvas, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf, Metal
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood, Cherry
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Canvas, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Brass
Mid-18th Century German Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood, Canvas
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
1760s Swiss Antique Rococo Folk Art
Iron
Late 18th Century English Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
18th Century British Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Folk Art
Chestnut
20th Century American Rococo Folk Art
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Canvas, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Folk Art
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Folk Art
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Rococo Folk Art
Copper