Thomasville Country French
Late 20th Century American Country Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American French Provincial More Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Paint
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Late 20th Century British Colonial Console Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century English French Provincial Console Tables
Chestnut, Hardwood, Wood
20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Wood, Paper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Wine Coolers
Lucite
Vintage 1950s American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Rustic Dining Room Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Dining Room Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1970s French Serving Pieces
Brass, Bronze
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames
Nutwood
21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Cabinets
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
Brass
Late 20th Century French Provincial Console Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Buffets
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Buffets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Dressers
Oak
Late 20th Century American Other Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Oak
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Fabric, Cane
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
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.