Rococo Ornamentation

The word "rococo" comes from the French "roc" and "coquille", which could be literally translated into English as "rock cockle" and be quite accurate.

The term arose from the passion that existed during a portion of the Louis Quinze period for using rocks and shells along with wisps of nondescript foliage carved with bewildering scrolls in every conceivable variety of shape, as the prevailing details of ornamentation.


The broken shell, the twisted acanthus, the curled endive, and the flowing scroll formed a part of interior woodwork. The cornice, the wainscot, the mantel, the moldings of windows and doors, the frames of pictures, embodied one and the same idea.

To harmonize with this setting furniture was, of necessity, constructed on similar lines. Plain surfaces were abhored. Everything was ornamented to such a degree that its real purpose became a secondary consideration.