Quimper Plate Bird

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.

The unique graceful design and classic style of antique and vintage delft and faience make these pieces an exceptional addition to any dining room.

The popularity of the blue-and-white porcelain developed in 14th-century China inspired delft and faience pottery in Europe. The global expansion of trade through the Dutch East India Company led to the import of numerous examples of Chinese porcelain, resulting in the creation of Dutch delftware, which is the term generally used to describe the tin-glazed earthenware that Dutch potters used. There were other imitations of Chinese porcelain produced by ceramicists throughout Europe, but delftware was the most successful. This iconic tradition — the subject of a 2020 exhibition at the Kunstmuseum den Haag​ ​— resembled Chinese porcelain but was more affordable.

True blue delftware originates only from a single location: Delft in the Netherlands. These precious pieces pair well with French faience. Unlike delftware, French faience utilizes a lead-and-tin glaze. This earthenware has roots in late-16th-century France. French Provincial delft and faience tend to feature snow-white lacquered surfaces with colorful painted images or floral designs.

In terms of elegance and versatility, Baroque delft and faience always impress. The most extravagant and boldly hued pieces are Rococo delft and faience. Plates, tureens and other objects made in this style are frequently ornate and intricately decorated, making them ideal for display.

Modern Dutch design masters often incorporate vintage decor into their contemporary designs and delftware items are a popular choice. Browse antique and vintage delft and faience now on 1stDibs.