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.
Antique French Belle Époque Rococo Style Bracket Clock by Henry Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in London, GB
Antique French Belle Époque Rococo style bracket clock by Henry Dasson French, 1882 Measures: Total height 136cm Clock height 86cm, width 37cm, depth...
Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
Rococo Giltwood Clock
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th century rococo carved and giltwood shelf clock, the crest with stork holding a bone in his beak pearched on a romantic castle ruin with carved...
Giltwood
Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large, superb and very decorative original antique French clock by the famous maker A.D. Mougin. It is boldly modelled in the Rococo style in finely gilded bronze. Asymmetric waisted case, decorated profusely with sweeping acanthus leaves, 'C' scrolls and floral swags. To the top is a large elaborate final of a stylised flaming lamp...
Bronze
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...
Ormolu
Fine Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A very fine and substantial ormolu clock by the clockmaker Vincenti. Stunning Rococo balloon form of sweeping acanthus swags, scrolls and floral flourishes. To the top of a beautiful...
Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock - Fully Restored
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb original antique French Rococo clock by Samuel Marti. Formed of sinuous leafy curves with floral foliate swag all in finely gilded bronze. The clock stands on a beautifully ...
Ormolu
Large Antique French Louis XV Ormolu Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and stunning original antique French Cartel Wall clock in finely gilded bronze, dating from around 1880. Elegantly designed in the Rococo style of Louis XV, it is formed of b...
Ormolu
Early Antique French Rococo Porcelain Boudoir Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely early French porcelain clock by Samuel Marti. Beautifully styled in the Rococo style with C scrolls and flowing foliage. Delicately decorated with exquisite bouquets of flow...
Porcelain
Ormolu Antique French Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent and very large original antique French Rococo cartel wall clock. Asymmetrically modelled in the Louis XV style, the dial bursting through the swirling clouds as the sun...
Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock - Fully Restored
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful clock of ornate Rococo design, the case finely cast with scrolling acanthus and rocaille ornament, the front and sides with pierced lattice panels back with fabric, raise...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Mathieu Planchon Belle Epoque French Cartel Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine late 19th century French Belle Epoque mounted bronze Dòre flame mahogany Cartel wall clock. The clock features a circular white enamel dial, which is inscribed with both Roman Numerals and Arabic Numbers. beautifully incised gilt hands and convex glass inscribed "Planchon A Paris". Circa 1880 French Mathieu Planchon apprenticed with his father, served several years with other clockmakers including Robert-Houdin and then went into business for himself eventually opening his shop at the Palais Royal in 1890. He was a skilled maker who was influenced by both earlier decorative trends and the ingenious clocks originally designed by Nicolas Grollier De Servierè that were illustrated in DeServierè’s catalog . Antique cartel clocks...
Ormolu
French Gilt Waterfall Clock Henry Dasson 1843
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A rare French 'waterfall clock' with a silk suspension pendulum action Has a unique waterfall feature with water spurting from the mouth of the lions mask Intricately cast with gilt ...
Bronze
Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Genius of Music
By Vincenti et Cie, Cie Des Bronzes De Bruxelles
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb and substantial ormolu clock from a design by the 18th century bronze founder Robert Osmond and made by the famous Compagnie des Bronze of Bruss...
Ormolu