French Provincial Architectural Elements
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.
to
7
17
15
32
Height
to
Width
to
244
188
138
134
124
109
101
101
85
85
84
67
51
38
36
13
12
5
4
18
10
4
4
1
1
1
1
14
9
8
5
5
27
24
3
32
32
32
1
Style: French Provincial
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Steel
Collection of 3, 19th Century French Zinc Flame Roof Finials
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
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Zinc
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Pine
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...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Fruitwood
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Set of 2 Vintage French Cast Iron Garden Pedestals Green Patina
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These striking early 1900 hundres cast iron pedestals from northern France or Belgium reveal a subtle green patina beneath their surface. One piece is adorned with charming angels and intricate floral garlands, the other features a column design. They certainly offer a timeless aesthetic. Perfect as plant stands to frame a doorway or staircase, their bold presence effortlessly enhances any space.
The column pedestal measures 16W x 28.75H with the top opening measuring 13.5 The angel pedestal...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique White French Wrought Iron Balcony Railing, 19th Century
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century French fence railing from a balcony section constructed from wrought iron. It is beautifully handcrafted with twisted, scrolled decoration and heart motifs. The iron sti...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Delft
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...
Category
1810s French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Blue Provincial Boiserie Panel
Located in Mckinney, TX
A beautiful mid-19th century, decorative provincial architectural wood wall panel with original worn “French blue” paint.
Enhance an empty wall with this wonderful work of art to ad...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
18th Century French Bronze Bell by Biron PARIS
Located in Chillerton, 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...
Category
18th Century Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
18th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Large French Potiere or Pot Rack Wall Shelf
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French oak potière, or shelf with brass hooks for hanging pots and pans in the kitchen. The top has six brass hooks and the bottom ledge has a groove to display plates and platters...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
19th Century, French Zinc Mythical Lion- Wolf Head Fragment
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare decorative zinc item that once graced a facade, France, circa 1850-1900
Weathered and small losses and old repair
Measurement here below includes the wooden base.
...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Zinc
Faded Red Painted Zinc Cross from France
Located in Houston, 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. ...
Category
1850s French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Zinc
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...
Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
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. ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Sandstone
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...
Category
1930s French Vintage French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Pair of Hand Carved Oak Columns Sculpted by French Artisan 20th century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French artisan hand carved pair of oak columns 20th century
Impressive and decorative
The oak came from the Pays Basque region of France and was sculpted by a French Artisan
Good classical columns for architectural features, furniture, garden and patios
Top of column...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
French Architectural Crown Sculpture Fragment, 1910's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in France, an exquisite Antique French Architectural Iron Fragment. Originally it was a chandelier. The fabulous patina shows off the rich history and prior use and will mak...
Category
1910s French Vintage French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
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...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
A Pair of Large 19th Century French Brass Curtain Tie Backs
Located in Chillerton, 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...
Category
19th Century Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 ...
Category
19th Century Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century Antique French Provincial Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
French Provincial architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial architectural elements 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 architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $299 and tops out at $36,217 while the average work can sell for $1,995.