Jean Cocteau Ceramique
Vintage 1950s French Ceramics
Earthenware
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Terracotta
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Books
Paper
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Vintage 1980s French Books
Vintage 1980s French Books
Paper
Vintage 1980s Books
Jean Cocteau Ceramique For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Jean Cocteau Ceramique?
A Close Look at French-provincial Furniture
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.
- What is Jean Cocteau known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Jean Cocteau was a man of many talents and was known for his paintings, poetry, screenplays and novels. He also was a director and sometimes an actor. Considered some of his most important works are the poem L'Ange Heurtebise, the novel Les Enfants Terribles, the play Orphée, and the movie La Belle et la Bête. Find an assortment of Cocteau art from the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Was Jean Cocteau a Surrealist?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Yes, Jean Cocteau was a Surrealist. In fact, he is one of the most important figures of French Surrealism. However, the French painter, poet, designer, printmaker, playwright and filmmaker always denied being in any way connected to the movement. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Jean Cocteau art from some of the world's top dealers and galleries.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024What movement Jean Cocteau was a part of is open to debate. The French artist and writer is today thought of as one of the most important figures of French Surrealism. However, he always denied being in any way connected to the movement. As a result, some people simply classify his work as modernism. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Jean Cocteau art.