Here is an excellent example of rococo revival found on Trademe. This dining display cabinet clearly exhibits very strong elements of this style and period in design. Namely the volume of sinuous ornamental forms that make this cabinet fundamentally rococo (Colle, 2009).
First and foremost is the visual bombardment of leafy, curvilinear details and over decorative woodwork. Lines and forms appear organic and dynamic, notably are two opposing motifs at each of the cabinets ends which are structurally dysfunctional but exemplify these themes as well as a sense of hierarchy.
Looking more closely reveals a painted scene, centrally below two glass panels. A pastel colour palette is evident, and predictably, so too are water themes from which rococo draws much inspiration. In this image aesthetic principles comply with those of rococo but reject any so-called ‘true principles’ of the design reform, widespread at a time in which this cabinet may have been built according to its owner.
That is to say, its design is irrelevant to function and is illusionistic.
Asymmetry is a factor unique to rococo and distinguishes itself from other trends in design. Elements of asymmetry generally ubiquitous in rococo forms are not so frequent in this example but reside at the centre-most point of this furnishing in very rocaille nature.The sum of these elements is the ultimate contrast to the strict mathematically derived proportions seen in neoclassical style. They appear delicate and feminine, fashionable attributes of a historic trend to which this dining cabinet conforms (Varriano, 1986).
References
Varriano, J. (1986). Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Settembrini, L., Colle, E., De Giorgi, M. (Eds.). (2009). 500 Years of Italian Furniture: Magnificence and Design. Milano, Italy: Skira Editore S.p.A.
