French Provincial Folk Art
FRENCH PROVINCIAL STYLE
Removed from the fashions of the court, French Provincial style developed in the provinces of the country, such as Provence, Normandy, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, French Provincial furniture was not as ostentatious as the designs being produced for the royal palaces, but elegant S-shape cabriole legs and ornate carvings elevated the sturdy chairs, sofas, tables and bedroom furniture intended for everyday use.
Although it varies by region, antique French Provincial furniture is unified by solid construction and an artisanal attention to design. While this furniture often followed the metropolitan trends — including the Rococo or neoclassical aesthetics of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI — since it was produced in the French countryside it was more subdued with nods to its rustic settings.
Local materials like fruitwoods, oak, beech and walnut were used to construct large French Provincial armoires for storage and comfortable armchairs with rush-woven seats. Wrought-iron elements and carvings like floral details and scallop patterns were common as ornamentation. Furniture was frequently painted white or other muted colors that coordinated with gilt and would acquire a patina of age over time. Other wood was just stained with vibrant fabric such as toile de Jouy, which sometimes depicted pastoral scenes, adding color as upholstery.
The style arrived in the United States after World War I, with soldiers returning home wanting furniture like what they had seen in the rural homes and castles of France. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, designer John Widdicomb split from his family business, the Widdicomb Furniture Company, and had been focusing on Louis XV– and French Provincial–style furnishings since the early 1900s. Other American manufacturers such as Baker, Drexel, Henredon and Thomasville also responded to demand. Today antique French Provincial pieces and reproductions continue to be popular.
Find a collection of antique French Provincial dining tables, seating, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: French Provincial
A Carved Alpine Oxen Yoke - French Alps - XIXth century.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A huge carved oxen yoke, dating back to the 19th century, is a beautiful example of Alpine folk craftsmanship. Its intricate carvings and rustic charm make it a truly captivating dec...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Small black French Stone Mortar with stone Pestle
Located in Rümmingen, BW
This small French mortar was sourced in the south of France. It's an iconic and traditional kitchen object which is found all over France. Its traditional use was and still is to gri...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Stone
Late 19th century, French Folk Art Copper Sailboat Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful and rare folk art copper sailboat weather-vane . A real unique find with gorgeous vert de gris patine.
France, circa 1880-1900.
Weathered , small losses and old repairs.
P...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Framed Leonard Wren "French Pastry" Giclée Print
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful giclée (canvas print) artwork signed by Leonard Wren. His artwork was inspired by his many travels and became famous for his beauty of the world through capturing the joy l...
Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Large Easter Bunny Chocolate Mold Circa 1900
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly dense cast aluminum two-part chocolate mold, in the form of a standing Easter bunny with a woven basket on his back. Incredible antique piece that is timeless. The piece...
Category
Early 1900s Danish Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
Pair Late 19th Century French Decoys/ Cork Coots
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely pair of French folk art decoys. Two Coots made out of cork and with wooden beaks.
On the bottom you can see lead weights to keep them on place on the water.
Very decorative an...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cork
Small 19th Century, Hand Forged Iron French Folk Art Rooster, Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely and original small antique folk art hand forged rooster weathervane with an wonderful patine. A real unique find.
France, circa 1800-1900.
Weathered condition. measurements in...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Cheese Boards
Located in Houston, TX
Antique cheese boards from France, dating to early 20th century. Heart-shaped handles carved into boards. Four available and sold individually, priced $...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
1930s cubist still life from Paris
Located in DARLINGTON, WA
1930/ signed cubist still life painting
Category
1930s French Vintage French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Antique French Woven Wire Basket, circa 1900
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming handcrafted Provincial French woven wire work basket, circa 1900. A well-executed nicely shaped 'pannier' with moveable handles and decorative loop...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wire
Ceramic Tiles by Danikowski
Located in Paris, FR
9 ceramic tiles by Boleslaw Danikowski (1928-1979), after studying Fine Arts in Lille, practiced his profession as a potter and ceramicist in a small vil...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Small Metal Figurine of a North African Vendor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful small figurine with removable pieces representing a North African street vendor.
Category
1930s French Vintage French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Metal Wire Egg Basket Rustic French Farmhouse Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique French metal wire egg decorative basket, rustic French farmhouse decor with collapsible zigzag lids and two folding handles, loop feet, the basket has...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Fruitwood French Farmhouse Grain Scoop
Located in New Orleans, LA
Full of character and rich in history, this antique French Provincial fruitwood grain scoop was once simply utilitarian, used to shovel oats into sacks. This fruitwood scoop has a lo...
Category
1830s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Fruitwood
Pair of Antique French Carved Pine Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of very decorative Antique French Carved Pine Panels featuring center medallions with musical instruments, sheet music and floral/foliate motifs. Framed with raised moldings and carved leafy scrolls. Likely door insets from an Armoire...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair of French Countryside Oil Paintings in Original Frames, by Alfred Blonde
Located in Madison, MS
This pair of early 20th century oil paintings by Alfred Blondear are truly stunning. They feature the English countryside landscape. The homes/farms are a tan/cream color with red ro...
Category
Early 20th Century British French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Rose Passion Vase by Daum, 1990s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rose passion vase by Daum, 1990s.
Category
1920s Vintage French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Crystal
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Antique French Dressing Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of primitive Country French Dressing Chairs. Time-softened hardwood frames with curved flat crest rails on the tall shaped slat backs...
Category
19th Century European Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cane, Hardwood
Quimper French Hand Painted Faience Pottery Flask
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish French faience pottery hand painted flask with a Breton figure by Quimper and dating from the latter 19th century. The small rounded flask has a ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Vintage French Provincial Rattan Handled Basket, 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage rattan picnic basket, 1950s, France.
Mid-Century Modern vintage French Provincial rattan handled shopping basket, made out of woven rattan.
The vintage condition is very go...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
Antique High Back Parlor Chair, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
French antique throne high back parlor chair with original floral upholstery and tacks. Carved wooden frame with scrolling floral motif dated 18...
Category
1870s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Fine Traditional French Provincial Dark Stained Armoire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very fine traditional antique French armoire with a useful and hard to come by 12” depth. A carved bonnet over a frieze with carved cross motif. With the Classic shaped and carved bu...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Wire Hen Shaped Egg Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1970s or earlier vintage wire hen or chicken shaped egg basket.
Great for displaying farm fresh eggs that don't need refrigeration, all with a touch of...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wire
Painted Faux Grain Tole Cutlery Caddy
Located in Houston, TX
Painted faux grain tole cutlery caddy from France circa 1880-1910.
Note: Original/early finish on antique and vintage metal will include some, or all, o...
Category
1870s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Amazing Cameo Carved Shell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic hand carved shell with a girl carved out. Fine condition.
Category
1880s American Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Shell
Vintage French Provincial Rattan Lidded Handled Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Modern vintage rattan picnic basket, 1980s, France.
Large Mid-Century Modern vintage French Provincial rattan lidded handled pic...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
18th Century Oval Carved Wood Framed Bishop Portrait
Located in Ross, CA
Oval carved wood portrait of Casimir-Frédéric de Rathsamhausen-Wibolsheim (1698-1786). Known as Dom Léger, he was a Catholic cardinal at the Abbey of Murbarch in France's Rhine valley...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Rare Antique French Circus Advertisement Painted Oak Medallion Sign Artwork
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare large antique hand painted solid oak plank circus advsertisement featuring an eight day special invite to Cirque Milfleur in Paris France. Seulement, Huit Jours, A Paris, La Gro...
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Oak, Paint
Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Italian c...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Monumental Antique Life Size French Carved Folk Art Restaurant Chef Baker Statue
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental antique life size chef or baker statue. Carved of wood in the style of a cigar store figure, featuring a tall chef with traditional Frenc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Large Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Large colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Ita...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Finely Proportioned Coconut Goblet in 17th Century Taste
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A finely proportioned coconut goblet in 17th century taste
19th century or earlier.
Turned and polished coconut shell,
swag and drop engraved top f...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Coconut
Audoux Minet Style Oval Wall Mirror Nautical French Provincial Rope & Jute
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Audoux Minet style oval nautical French Provincial Robe & Jute wall mirror.
Superb handmade craftsmanship.
Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Antique French Provincial Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique French provincial oil Painting.
Scene of the country side with 2 small houses near a river in a forest.
South of France, Province.
Oil...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Bone Inlaid Wall Art in Blue Resin with Celtic Dragon Pattern- Instock
Located in New York City, NY
Feast your eyes on our Bone Inlaid Pattern Wall Art in Blue Resin. This isn't just art; it's a mesmerizing blend of tradition and contemporary design.
Imagine multiple Celtic dragons...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Bone
Folk Art French Revolution Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French folk-art figural mantel clock in carved wood and composite commemorating a fighting unit “Les Sections du Temple” in the French Revolution. The clock depicts a single figure “sans culots” with a walking stick flanked on one side by a drum and on the other by a black mortar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Rare Late 18th Century French Hand-Carved Angel Wood Statue Articulated Arms
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare late 18th early 19th-century hand carved wood statue of an Angel with lovely movement and articulated arms
A truly stunn...
Category
18th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent signed Filmont, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Painted Ceramic Donkey
Located in Washington, DC
A painted ceramic donkey from the Normandy Region of France.
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Aubusson Style Large Tapestry Decorative Pillow
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large decorative French Aubusson style tapestry pillow backed with silk velvet.
Beautiful vintage French Provincial pillow with Aubusson style roses and decorative floral bouquet.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
French Provincial folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include J. Filmont Caen, and Quimper Faience Pottery. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $130 and tops out at $15,544 while the average work can sell for $1,200.
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