Editing Rococo (section)

==Furniture and decoration==
The ornamental style called ''[[rocaille]]'' emerged in France between 1710 and 1750, mostly during the [[Régence|regency]] and reign of [[Louis XV]]; the style was also called ''[[Louis Quinze]]''. Its principal characteristics were picturesque detail, curves and counter-curves, asymmetry, and a theatrical exuberance. On the walls of new Paris salons, the twisting and winding designs, usually made of gilded or painted stucco, wound around the doorways and mirrors like vines. One of the earliest examples was the [[Hôtel Soubise]] in Paris (1704–1705), with its famous oval salon decorated with paintings by Boucher, and [[Charles-Joseph Natoire]].{{Sfn|Cabanne|1988|page=102}}

The best known French furniture designer of the period was [[Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier]] (1695–1750), who was also a sculptor, painter. and goldsmith for the royal household. He held the title of official designer to the Chamber and Cabinet of Louis XV. His work is well known today because of the enormous number of engravings made of his work which popularized the style throughout Europe. He designed works for the royal families of [[Electorate of Saxony|Saxony]] and [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portugal]].

Italy was another place where the Rococo flourished, both in its early and later phases. Craftsmen in Rome, Milan and Venice all produced lavishly decorated furniture and decorative items.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Juste-aurèlie messonier, candelabro d'argento, Parigi, 1734-1735 , 02.JPG|Candlelabra by [[Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier]] (1735–1740)
File:Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier - "Chariot of Apollo," Ceiling Design for Count Bielinski's Cabinet, Warsaw, Poland - Google Art Project.jpg|''Chariot of Apollo'' design for a ceiling of Count Bielinski by [[Meissonier]], Warsaw, Poland (1734)
File:Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier - Canapé executé pour Mr. le Comte de Bielinski Grand M.al de la Couronne de Pologne, en 1735.; Canapé... - Google Art Project.jpg|Canapé designed by Meissonnier for Count Bielinski, Warsaw, Poland (1735)
File:Bottega romana, console, 1710 ca., base in legno e piano di marmo.JPG|Console table, Rome, Italy ({{circa|1710}})
</gallery>

The sculpted decoration included fleurettes, palmettes, seashells, and foliage, carved in wood. The most extravagant rocaille forms were found in the [[Console table|consoles]], tables designed to stand against walls. The [[Commode]]s, or chests, which had first appeared under Louis XIV, were richly decorated with rocaille ornament made of gilded bronze. They were made by master craftsmen including [[Jean-Pierre Latz]] and also featured marquetry of different-coloured woods, sometimes placed in draughtsboard cubic patterns, made with light and dark woods. The period also saw the arrival of [[Chinoiserie]], often in the form of lacquered and gilded commodes, called ''falcon de Chine'' of ''Vernis Martin'', after the ebenist who introduced the technique to France. [[Ormolu]], or gilded bronze, was used by master craftsmen including [[Jean-Pierre Latz]]. Latz made a particularly ornate clock mounted atop a cartonnier for [[Frederick the Great]] for his palace in [[Potsdam]].{{clarify|Which one?|date=April 2024}} Pieces of [[Chinese export porcelain|imported Chinese porcelain]] were often mounted in [[ormolu]] (gilded bronze) rococo settings for display on tables or consoles in salons. Other craftsmen imitated [[Japanese lacquer]]ed furniture, and produced commodes with Japanese motifs.{{Sfn|Ducher|1988|page=144}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200" perrow="4">
File:Secretaire - Bernard II van Risamburgh - Münchner Residenz - DSC07490.JPG|Desk for the [[Munich Residenz]] by [[Bernard II van Risamburgh]] (1737)
File:Kambli Cartonnier with a clock of Frederick II.jpg|Clock-chest for [[Frederick the Great]] (1742)
File:Chinese - Bowl Mounted with Two Fish - Walters 492266.jpg|A Chinese porcelain bowl and two fish mounted in gilded bronze, France (1745–1749)
File:LatzEncoignure1a.jpg|An [[encoignure]] by royal cabinetmaker [[Jean-Pierre Latz]] ({{circa|1750}})
File:Commode.jpg|Lacquered Commode in Chinoiserie style, by Bernard II van Risamburgh, [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] (1750–1760)
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[[Great Britain|British]] Rococo tended to be more restrained. [[Thomas Chippendale]]'s furniture designs kept the curves and feel, but stopped short of the French heights of whimsy. The most successful exponent of British Rococo was probably [[Thomas Johnson (designer)|Thomas Johnson]], a gifted carver and furniture designer working in London in the mid-18th century.