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.