The Rococo Revival began in Europe, primarily in England in the 1820s. It became a more prominent movement in the court of Louis Philippe of France and by the 1840s it was popular worldwide. The style drew from the 18th century designs of the French like those during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV, stylistically complex grand. However the Revival utilized the new technology of the 19th century, such as Belter’s wood lamination process. The process involved gluing sheets of wood together then steam heating them under pressure and bending and molding the wood into three dimensional curves. Because of wood lamination, it became much easier to get curves in wooden furniture. One of several styles permeating the decorative arts, the Rococo Revival spread to the United States through emigrant European-trained cabinetmakers and pattern books. American designers found inspiration in European designs, and international fairs showcased pieces in this style. This time period served as a last cry for handmade works as industrial mass production was becoming more and more common during the time. In America, the extravagant style slowly fell out of favor during the postbellum period, after the Civil War, because it was considered too extravagant. It only recently came to be appreciated again by “Victorian lovers” who enjoy the detailed older style. This has led to the increased value of Rococo Revival works today.
