French Provincial Building and Garden 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.
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Style: French Provincial
Large Trough Planter on Stand Rustic French Oak Brutalist XL Antique Serving Bar
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary and extremely rare, extra-large trunk-hewn trough planter on stand in lovely antique condition. Strikingly large, decoratively shapely and wonderfully characterful, this one-of-a-kind statement piece could be used indoors or outdoors as a planter – and could even double up as a stylish champagne bar on special occasions. However it’s displayed, this incredible gem won’t fail to add spectacular rustic splendour and a magnificent aesthetic of bygone traditional craftsmanship to any setting.
Traditionally crafted, the oak tree trunk would have been hand hewn and hollowed to create the animal trough and still has the original notched grooves to the underside, showing where it would once have sat on a larger farmyard frame. The present stand is traditionally crafted using pegged mortise and tenon joints and has lovely, slightly curving, ski-like legs in the antique southern French style, which really add to its beautifully imperfect rustic appeal.
All in all this is a quite extraordinary planter and an incredible find. Its breathtaking scale (we’ve never seen one even close to this size) and stunning, unapologetically rustic, almost Brutalist appeal, make it the perfect statement piece, which could be used either inside or out, for those looking for a fantastic one-of-a-kind treasure.
CONDITION
This is in very good antique condition. Extremely large and heavy, this super piece was traditionally crafted and is structurally sound and sturdy. The trunk planter has lovely gnarled, aged appeal and the base has to-be-expected minor marks and signs of wear to show its age, which only enhance its aged rustic appeal. The planter sits snuggly in the frame and can be removed for transporting separately. If using indoors, it could be waxed as preferred. Originally the top of the base may have had decorative securing struts running depth-ways across the top, the peg joints for which can still be seen and which a craftsman could recreate if required. Overall this is a truly incredible XL planter...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak, Teak
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique French Painted Farm Doors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wooden doors sourced from a farm in France, some wear in back corners.
Wonderful when mounted on a barn track as sliding doors.
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage French Shell Carved Red Marble Fireplace Surround
Located in Sheridan, CO
Continental red marble fireplace surround, early 20th c., having molded mantel shelf, over shell carved apron, pilaster corner supports, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
French Castelnaudary Terracotta Olive Snake Motif Planter, Circa 19th Century
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a rare find: an antique olive colored Castelnaudary French terracotta planter adorned with a rare snake motif. This uniquely versatile piece features three handles and has...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
Faux Bois Planter
Located in London, England
Concrete faux bois garden planter.
Circa 1930.
H 108cm x W 73cm x D 55cm
Category
1930s French Vintage French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Louis XV Marble Mantel
Located in Dallas, TX
Here we have a Louis XV antique black marble mantel with white veins. This is a lovely French piece that dates back to the 19th century.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Carrara Marble
Antique Late 19th Century French Large Sculptural Rustic Harvest Wooden Thresher
Located in Sheridan, CO
Large Antique rustic harvest wooden thresher / combine tool make a great sculptural piece. It could be wired and converted to a light to make a dramatic and unique light fixture.
Ac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Gadrooned Colonne Vessel
Located in Vista, CA
19th century French gadrooned colonne vessels 14" X 12".
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Gadrooned Colonne Vessel
Located in Vista, CA
19th century French Gadrooned Colonne vessels 14" X 12".
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Vintage French Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned Free Standing Archway
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Style Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned Free Standing Archway
This Vintage French Style Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned F...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Antique French Balacet Marble Mantel
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French mantel, crafted from Balacet marble in the 1880s, showcases exquisite Empire-style design and exceptional craftsmanship. The centerpiece features a hand-carved ge...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Serpentine Fender with French Style Neoclassical Andirons
Located in Asheville, NC
Colonial Williamsburg brass serpentine shaped pierced work, polished brass fire fender, pair of French style andirons with left and right brass cast...
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Garden Ornament Cast Stone Seagull on Wood Base
Located in South Salem, NY
20th Century garden ornament of a cast stone seagull on a wood base. The seagull retains much of its original paint.
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
French Provincial building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $749 and tops out at $17,724 while the average work can sell for $6,500.