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.
Romweber French Rococo Louis XV Cream Lacquered Nine-Drawer Dresser, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial or Rococo Louis XV style nine-drawer dresser By Romweber USA, Circa 1960s Carved cream lacquered walnut, with gold gilt trim, and original brass hardw...
Brass
Chest of Drawers Swedish Rococo Light Wood, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers Swedish Rococo light wood, Sweden. A beautiful chest of drawers with amazing inlays and construction. Made in Sweden during th...
$7,064Sale Price|20% Off
18th-Century Italian Rococo Sideboard in Burl Wood, Northern Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Enhance your living space with our exceptional 18th-century Italian sideboard. This rare antique, attributed to Northern Italy's craftsmanship, exhibits ornate design with a sophisti...
Wood
18th CENTURY VENETIAN CHEST
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful and refined Venetian chest of drawers, characterized by a wavy front veneered in walnut briar and maple briar. It has a linear shelf base whic...
Wood, Nutwood, Fir
Italian Rococo 18th Century Semainier Dresser with 5 Drawers
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Rococo-style (18th Century) serpentine semainier / dresser having 5 drawers with carved gilt trim and bronze drawer pulls, parcel-gilt and painted in a light green, ...
Wood, Giltwood
Danish Rococo Chest of Drawers, Copenhagen, 1760
By Mathias Ortmann
Located in Copenhagen, K
Period 18th century Rococo dresser with white, beveled marble-top and brass hardware by Mathias Ortmann. Furniture by M. Ortmann urniture is of exceptional quality and represent t...
Marble
Fine Paint Decorated Marble Top Bombe Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Italianate design bombe chest in a speckled finish in black and red on pale tan. With carved neoclassical motifs- swags on the drawers, bows and ovals in between, and complementar...
Marble, Brass
Romweber French Rococo Louis XV Satinwood and Parcel Painted Triple Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Rococo Louis XV style triple dresser or credenza By Romweber USA, Circa 1940s Book-matched satinwood, with painted tr...
Brass
Rococo Period Serpentine Carved-Wood Chest of Drawers, 18th Century, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French period rococo serpentine chest of drawers from the 18th century. This antique commode from France features a rectangular shaped top, with softly-rounded corners and serpenti...
Wood
Italian Rococo Neapolitan Chest of Drawers, Commode, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian Rococo Gilt Bronze-Mounted Walnut and Fruitwood Inlaid Commode Naples, Circa 1760 An 18th-century Italian Rococo commode from Naples, c...
Bronze
Elegant 18th C. Italian Late Rococo Style Chest W/Beautiful Book-Match Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian late Rococo style chest of drawers with serpentine form and book-match veneers, circa 1780. This 18th century chest from Italy features a shapely serpentine top and body, ...
Wood
An 18th Century Swedish Period Rococo Serpentine Chest with a Lovely Elm Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18th century Swedish period Rococo Serpentine chest of three drawers. This antique commode from Sweden has a shapely serpentine body with beautiful elm veneer. The skirt is heav...
Metal
18th c Swiss Rococo Fruitwood Serpentine Commode with Tumbling Block Parquetry
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Continental Rococo fruitwood three drawer commode with serpentine front, probably Swiss in origin, dating to the 18th century, with exceptional tumbling block par...
Fruitwood, Satinwood
$6,302 / item
H 35.04 in W 44.89 in D 16.15 in
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Style Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Deep Sea Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers. In a Deep Sea Blue color background with our sunflower...
Wood
Swedish bombe-shaped Rococo chest of drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
“Beautiful Swedish Rococo bombe-shaped chest of drawers with elegant curved sides and a serpentine front, characteristic of Swedish Rococo. Three drawers with bronze fittings, as wel...
Pine
$800Sale Price|20% Off
H 58.08 in W 31.5 in D 20.08 in
French Louis XVI Style Dressing Table Coiffeuse Dresser, circa 1960-70, France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Stunning Louis XVI style dressing table that embodies the elegance and timeless charm of Classic design. Featuring a large mirror, faux ...
Wood
$3,875
H 47.25 in W 32 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Teak Highboy / Chest of Drawers by Svend A. Madsen, 1960s
By Falster Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by Danish designer Svend Age Madsen for Falster Mobelfabrik during the 1960s, this exceptional mid-century teak highboy embodies everything collectors admire about Scandinav...
Teak
19th C. Large Fine Figured Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top made of book matched figured wood with cross banding and fine herringbone string inlay. With a bull nose edge. The tall chest with two short over three long drawers with book matched fronts and matching herringbone string inlays, and fine pierced brass bales and a key. The carved skirt rail raised on all bracket feet. Measures Width. 47 1/2", Depth 23", Height. 45 1/4" Condition: Please see all detail photos. The chest top with some expected scratches and some loss to the finish, slight alligatoring, chipped top front edge corners, some chips and breaks to the drawer moldings (a few preserved for...
Brass
$8,717 / item
H 38.98 in W 38.19 in D 22.45 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers. This beautiful piece echoes the sweetness of those still s...
Wood
English Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
English, mahogany five-drawer chest with rosewood crossbanded top. Beaded drawers have inset olivewood stringing and oval brass hardware featuring the Prince of Wales triple plume an...
Mahogany
Danish Modern Teak Vanity Dresser Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Interesting midcentury Danish modern flip top chest of drawers, having a flip up top surface which opens to reveal divided storage spaces, over three de...
Teak
$2,480
H 37.8 in W 38.98 in D 19.1 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers in Oak, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A characterful chest of drawers in the style of Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf, crafted in oak and made in Denmark in the 1960s. The commode features four drawers, offering ample storage ...
Brass
Black Japanned Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Japanned chest of drawers with three small drawers over three long drawers. The legs are of a cabriole style with pad feet. The term "Japanned"...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Walnut Nine Drawer Dresser by Drew Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring classic mid-century sophistication and exceptional storage to your home with this vintage nine-drawer walnut dresser by Drew Furniture. Showcasing the clean lines and quality c...
Walnut
$5,298
H 33.08 in W 44.49 in D 24.41 in
18th Century Swedish Rococo Chest of Drawers from Northern Sweden
Located in Boden, SE
A beautiful 18th century Swedish Rococo Chest of drawers from Lulea Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. The Chest of drawers has wonderful curvaceous and beautiful Shaped legs. The Chest ...
Pine
Sold
H 39 in W 22.5 in D 50.25 in
Early 19th century French Bleached Fruitwood European Serpentine Chest
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous France; ca. 1800 Fruitwood; brass Approximate size: 39 (h) x 50.25 (w) x 22.5 (d) in. A handsome serpentine fruitwood chest of French design. Its original finish has been...
Brass
Antique French Dresser Bombe Louis XV Style Commmode
Located in Buxton, GB
Fabulous Bombe Chest of Drawers with Red Marble Top French Baroque Style Bombe Commode with two different tones of inlays, that add contrast to the piece Rouge Shaped Marble Top ...
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Dresser Bombe Louis XV Style Commode
Located in Buxton, GB
This Fabulous Large Bombe Chest of drawers/Commode would look Fabulous in any room. French Rococo Style Bombe with a shaped cream Marble Top and Bronze Detailing Mahogany Inlays co...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Rococo Style Italian Bombe 4 Drawer Commode Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Rococo Style Italian Bombe 4 Drawer Commode Chest Dresser. Item features "Antiqued/Distressed" finish, 4 drawers, nicely carved details, solid wood construction. Circa...
Wood
Sold
H 30.69 in W 43.5 in D 21.63 in
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Black Painted Commode with Original Brass Hardware
Located in Wichita, KS
An exceptional 18th century Swedish commode from the Rococo period with original brass hardware, ormolu, and locks. This commode has a serpentine front, shaped top and apron to the f...
Brass
Sold
H 46 in W 45.75 in D 25 in
Antique Rococo Large Oak Chest of Drawers Painted Yellow, Denmark, circa 1800s
Located in Round Top, TX
Large rococo oak chest of 4 drawers with serpentine front resting on cabriolet feet. The four drawers each have 2 brass pulls and key ho...
Wood, Oak, Paint
Italian Rococo Chest of Drawers, Commode, 20th Century
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Italian bombe commode chest of drawers of oyster burl olive veneer made in the Rococo style. The case possesses graceful curves with serpentine...
Brass
Sold
H 47 in W 48.75 in D 24.5 in
Antique Large Rococo Chest of Drawers Painted Blue, Denmark Dated 1779
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Large Rococo Chest of Drawers Painted Blue, Denmark Dated 1779 Danish large chest of drawers in blue painted finish with side handles. Curved rococo front with four drawers on original base raised on cabriole legs. The large drawers are each fitted with bronze keyhole...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 38.5 in W 45 in D 25 in
Large Antique Rococo Oak Chest of Drawers With Blue Painted Finish Circa 1800's
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive large oak chest of drawers is quite dramatic thanks to the (newer) blue professionally applied painted finish accenting the Rococo curv...
Wood, Oak, Paint
Sold
H 26.5 in W 31 in D 15.5 in
Vintage Italian Rococo Mahogany Burl Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite Italian Rococo marquetry chest of drawers, circa last quarter 20th century. Made from mahogany with a burled case and floral marquetry inlays. Features a serpentine bomb...
Mahogany, Burl
Antique Large Blue Pained Rococo Chest of Drawers from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the striking blue painted finish that draws one to this handsome large oak chest of drawers. Later professionally painted in blue and teal shades...
Wood, Oak, Paint
Sold
H 44.25 in W 48.25 in D 25 in
Large Blue Painted Rococo Chest of Drawers, Denmark circa 1780-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The allure of this striking oak chest of four drawers is due to the (newer) blue painted finish accenting the Rococo curves and cabriolet feet. Please examine photos to appreciate th...
Wood, Oak, Paint