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.
$1,076Sale Price|43% Off
Antique French 19th Century Zinc Dove Roof Finial, Circa 1850-1900
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and very rare zinc roof ornament with a dove. France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered, minor losses measurements include the wooden base. H:31,5cm W:23cm D:11cm
Zinc
$691Sale Price|41% Off
19th Century French Iron Weathervane Roof Finial
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful iron weathervane roof finial. Very rare piece. France, circa 1800-1850. Weathered Measurement includes the wooden base.
Iron
$2,376Sale Price|50% Off
Antique French 19th Century Copper Eagle Weathervane, Circa 1880
Located in Buisson, FR
Very beautiful copper eagle weather vane with amazing verdigris patine . France circa 1880, weathered. Measurements include the wooden base. H:59cm W:55cm D:37cm
Copper
19th Century French Pair of Antique Pinewood Garden Treillis Obelisks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of tall treillis obelisks in Versailles green topped by pointed finials, in good condition. These antique hand crafted painted Pinewood obelisks have multiple layers ...
Pine
Vintage Dutch Delft Style Craftsmen Tile
By Delft
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful hand painted blue and white Delft style ceramic tile featuring a boy holding a heart shaped balloonl. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-20th Century Mea...
Delft
Antique Victorian French Country House Iron & Glass Garden Cloche
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Lantern Cloche – C A stunning octagonal lantern cloche, salvaged from France. The cloche creates a miniature greenhouse and provides a beautiful form of protection of plants...
Steel
Property Bronze Airin Bell Dated 1815 with its Wrought Iron Top and Wood Beam
Located in Miami, FL
The bronze Airin bell dated 1815 is attached to its wood beam with its wrought iron mounts. The bell clapper is lacking. The dimensions of the bell is 1...
Bronze
Eclectic Modern-Historic Blend Interior – 18th Century French Stone Fireplace
Located in Beervelde, BE
This authentic 18th century French fireplace surround, crafted from rare grey-beige hardstone, is a refined example of rustic elegance. Its proportions are exceptional, making it per...
Stone, Limestone
A Pair of Large 19th Century French Brass Curtain Tie Backs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large 19th Century French Brass Curtain Tie Backs The Tie Backs or Hooks are solid brass, they have a decorative crest which swings on a backplate The brackets have a s...
Brass
18th Century French Bronze Bell by Biron PARIS
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century French Bronze Bell by Biron PARIS Old bronze bell with inscription: “E. Biron à Paris” this piece is in good original un resto...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Bell with Zinc Cupola
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French cupola from a rooftop belfry housing a cast bronze bell. Cupola has wrought iron frame with zinc roof. Bell hangs from wood yoke and has a 36" long pull chain a...
Bronze, Iron, Wrought Iron, Zinc
$1,654Sale Price|47% Off
18th Century Twisted Column Plinth Pedestal Torchere
Located in Sherborne, GB
A stunning rich, textural, sculptural column. It is a gentle twist, hand carved, perfect for showing sculpture, floral displays, adding an ancient ar...
Fruitwood
$184Sale Price|65% Off
Brass and Cast Iron Antique Pump and Spout Mounted on Wood, c. 1900
Located in Ross, CA
Antique French brass (plated over copper) well pump mounted on wood with a cast iron handle. Made in France by Delacroix by around 1900. the brass stamp reads "pompes delacroix " la...
Brass
19th Century Stone Doorway Arch
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A 19th century stone door surround. Simply but elegant rustic executed. Dated 1819 and decoretad with a geometric frieze and centrel flower rozet. ...
Sandstone
Faded Red Painted Zinc Cross from France
Located in Chireno, TX
Faded red painted zinc cross from France. 19th century zinc cross painted in a dusty coral hue faded from its original red color. Beautiful gray zinc color and brownish rust patina. ...
Zinc
Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased from Hollyhock in West Hollywood, California. A large panel in ecru paint with carved painted and gilt high relief decoration- a gilt bow and swags at the top over a basket of fruits with a garden rake...
Wood
Solid Axel-Vervoordt Style Fireplace Original Reclaimed Base Stone In Limestone
Located in Beervelde, BE
This solid base stone is a striking piece of off-white French limestone, perfect for those who appreciate the timeless elegance of Axel Vervoordt’s aesthetic. The rectangular, reclai...
Stone, Limestone
Architectural Fireplace in Pearl Beige Limestone
Located in London, GB
An architecturally moulded fireplace in pearl beige limestone. The flat jambs and frieze with moulded shelf above. French, modern. Sizes: Shelf width 1407 mm / 55 3/8 in Overall ...
Marble
$1,076Sale Price / set|43% Off
Set of Three Antique French Zinc Flame Roof Finials, Circa 1850-1900
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful collection of 3 zinc flame roof finials. France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered, small losses. Measurement is individual and of the largest. H:32/44cm W:18,5cm D:cm
Zinc
Pair 0f Vintage French Iron Metal Wall Hooks Coat Racks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming authentic pair of white chippy painted hooks found in Southwest France. We see these wall hooks displayed in an entry was holding coats, hats or French market baskets...
Metal, Iron
Vintage Dutch Delft Style Craftsmen Tile
By Delft
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful hand painted blue and white Delft style ceramic tile featuring a man playing with a club and a ball. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-20th Century Meas...
Delft
Antique Dutch Delft Style Craftsmen Blue and White Tiles, Pair
By Delft
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful pair of hand painted blue and white Delft ceramic tiles featuring farm landscapes and shepherds. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-20th Century Measures...
Delft
Vintage Dutch Delft Style Craftsmen Blue and White Tiles, Pair
By Delft
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful pair of hand painted blue and white Delft style ceramic tiles featuring people making sausage and fishing. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-20th Century...
Delft
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved stone Antique Farm Fireplace Mantle Chimney Surround Los Angeles CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved stone Antique Farm Fireplace Mantle Chimney Surround Los Angeles CA . A Rare 18th century unique original antique French Limestone fireplace mantel. this country fireplac...
Stone, Limestone
Antique Dutch Delft Style Blue and White Tile Featuring a Soldier
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful antique hand painted blue and white Delft or French Provincial style ceramic tile featuring a soldier carrying a flag. This would make an excellent coaster. Holland, Cir...
Ceramic
$624Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Weathered Green Shutters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Antique French wooden shutters. Original ironwork, chippy paint and wood. See pics.
Iron
Early 19th Century Bronze Hat and Coat Hooks
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Bronze Hat and Coat Hooks These Early 19th Century Heavy Bronze Hat and Coat Hooks are an elaborate and very attractive piece, they are in the French Empire style...
Bronze
Antique French Wood Stepped Podium
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Trapezoid solid wood French roster / podium. Three-step stairs on each side. The center with double doors with carved recessed panels, opening to a shelf, and flanked by carved tall ...
Wood
$760Sale Price / item|20% Off
Linen carder, popular art, early 20th century, France
Located in LYON, FR
Very pretty wooden decorative object with very pretty details and inlays in the wood. An object just for the pleasure of the object and to d...
Oak
French Boudin Fireplace in Light Travertine Stone
Located in London, GB
A substantial French Boudin fireplace in light travertine stone, with moulded jambs and shaped moulded frieze. An imposing yet graceful piece. A copy of an original. N.B. May be subj...
Limestone
An Early 19th Century French Provençale White Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Provençale white marble fireplace inlaid with coloured marbles and carved with centre shell and foliage to jambs. Shelf Width: 1715 mm 67 ½" Overa...
Marble
French Directoire Fireplace in Grey Bardiglio Marble
Located in London, GB
An attractive French Directoire fireplace in grey Italian Bardiglio marble. The panelled frieze and jambs with matching inlaid white marble diamond panel featuring rosette and foliag...
Marble
French Provençale Style Arabescato Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A French Provençale style Arabescato marble fireplace, with ornately carved Rococo frieze and jambs of scrolls and foliage. Unusually high ...
Marble
18th Century French Provençal Carrara Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An 18th century French Provenc¸al Carrara marble fireplace, with inlaid Brocatelle and dark green marble to frieze and jambs. Carved motif to centre of frieze, and carved scroll desi...
Carrara Marble