Rococo
The term “Rococo” is derived from a French word meaning rockwork, and is applied to the style in which rock and shell forms are used as details.
No. 113. Detail of Wood-carving, Regency Period.
Ornament became extravagant and meaningless, and was wrongly used to serve the purpose of construction, the actual constructive elements being at times completely ignored. It cannot be denied, however, that powerful draughtsmanship and inventiveness were displayed, but without the consideration of practical execution, which is essential to all good design.
Evidently the artist or designer dominated the craftsman, who, however, grappled with difficulties in an admirable manner, often achieving results which would appear from the constructional point of view almost impossible of attainment.
The work of the latter part of the period expresses the enervated and frivolous spirit of the time.
Walls were panelled and often divided by pilasters, which, however, lost all structural significance.
Cornices and friezes were dispensed with, the frieze being replaced by a cove curving into the ceiling.
Mouldings were broken at angles and intersections into curves, scrolls and foliage.
Carved details of the curiously twisted leafage peculiar to the style were employed wherever possible.
Painted panels were fashionable, and were used particularly over doorheads. They were surrounded or framed by curved and enriched mouldings.
No. 114. Carved Wood Door. Louis XV.
Interiors of this later period were invariably painted white, and partly gilt, the wall panels decorated with tapestry or paintings with which are associated the names of Bouchier, Watteau, and Fragonard.
Ceilings were also painted, wall mirrors were employed and furniture (at this period at times extremely costly) was veneered and decorated with metal mounts in gilt ormolu.
Chair and table legs were of the cabriole type.
Bureaux fronts were swelled into curves both horizontally and vertically.
Veneer and marqueterie were much used.
Chased and gilt brass was employed to protect angles, as feet, handles, escutcheons and other ornamental details.
No. 115.
No. 116. Chair with cane back English, later half 17th century.