The Rococo style – an introduction
Find out more about the style without rules
Rococo
Rococo emerged in France in the 1720s and remained the predominant design style until it fell out of fashion in the 1770s. Excessively flamboyant and characterised by a curved asymmetric ornamentation and a use of natural motifs, Rococo was a style without rules. Compared to the order, refinement and seriousness of the Classical style, Rococo was seen as superficial, degenerate and illogical.
Collection highlights
-
Mantua, 1740 – 45, England -
Cosway Sitter's chair, by Matthias Lock, about 1755, London, England -
Norfolk House Music Room, 1748 – 56, London, England -
Mirror, designed by Thomas Chippendale Sr, 1762 – 65, London, England -
Girandole (wall light), designed by Thomas Johnson, 1760 – 65, London, England -
Design for a chimney piece, plate no.179 in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, by Thomas Chippendale, about 1753 – 62, London, England -
Plate, by Bow Porcelain Factory, about 1756, London, England -
Design for a woven silk, made by Anna Maria Garthwaite, 1749, Spitalfields, London -
Kettle, by Paul de Lamerie, 1730 – 31, London, England -
Coffee pot, manufactured by Bow Porcelain Factory, about 1760 – 65, London, England -
Candlestand, designed by Thomas Johnson, 1756 – 60, London, England -
Vase, by Derby Porcelain factory, 1758 – 60, Britain -
Clock, made by John Ellicott, 1740 – 50, London, England
Features
Header image: Mirror, Thomas Chippendale, 1762 – 65, London. Museum no. 2388-1855. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London