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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
French Provincial 18th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Biot Jar with Glaze
Located in New York, NY
A grand scale French provincial terracotta Biot Jar produced in the Biot region of southern France. With its original yellow glazed rim and traces of ochre colored glaze dripping thr...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Antique French Door in Provençal blue with herbalist or pressed flowers
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Old French Door in Provencal Blue with a Herbalist or Pressed Herbs Collection with their description signs on each of them. Each herb...
Category

1790s Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Organic Material, Wood, Paint

French carved and polychromed column with grapevine decor, France 18th century
Located in ECHT, NL
Polychromed and hand carved decorative column. Ideal for your wine cellar, bar or deli. Made from a single piece of wood. It has grape vine decors carved into it. The paint is still ...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Paint

An Antique 18th century Provincial French Stone Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An 18th century French Caen Stone Provincial Fireplace. The cantered jambs with stop fluted front panels and carved raised panels. The frieze serpentine in design with raised panelle...
Category

1780s French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

18th Century French Provincial Olive Oil Biot jar with Yellow and Green Glaze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large size French terracotta olive oil Biot jar from Provence with yellow glazed lip and green drippings from the 18th century. Emanating rustic Provencal charm, this large 18th-ce...
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

18th Century Twisted Column Plinth Pedestal Torchere
Located in Somerton, 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Fruitwood

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Pair Grand 18th Century Country French Walnut Doors ~ Plaquards
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Grand 18th Century Country French Walnut Doors ~ Plaquards in Frame are ideal for creating a wall accent or for using in your architectural plan to add interest that simply cann...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

An 18th Century Provincial Louis XV Style Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A charming and very well executed late 18th century Provincial Louis XV style fireplace in Calacatta and Breche Violette marbles. The jambs with paneled Breche Violette and fine carv...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Breccia Marble, Statuary Marble

Gorgeous Pair of 18th Century French Iron Gates
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Gorgeous pair of 18th century French iron gates.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Provincial Tole Washstand
Located in New York, NY
French Provincial grey faux wood painted tole washstand with side bars and gold wreath decoration.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Tôle

17th Century Antique Farm Mantel
Located in Dallas, TX
This 17th century antique farmer's mantel is a subtle yet elegant breakfast room or study mantel. Measurements: 44.5" W x 12.5" D x 43.5" Firebox: ...
Category

17th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Antique French Green Door
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measures: 99" H x 51" W Sold as a pair.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Related Items
Set of French Painted Double Entry Door with Iron Insert
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large French painted double entry doors with transom frame. Wrought Iron work insert in door frame and top. Nice high relief carved wood and iron details. There is some hardware in t...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique 18th Century French Limestone Fireplace Mantel
Located in Napa, CA
Beautiful antique limestone fireplace, circa 18th century, in Louis XIV style, with softly corbelled legs and dramatic carved edge in relief across underside of mantel. Left leg ...
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Italian Baroque Columns, 18th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Outstanding pair of 18th century Italian Baroque carved and paint decorated columns. finely carved and hand poly-chromed spiral motif. Measures: H.85" x D.12".   
Category

18th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Massive Early Terracotta Olive Jar
Located in Houston, TX
Massive early terracotta olive jar dating to 19th century, Tuscany. Nice natural patina. Its dramatic scale makes this jar an excellent decorative...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

French Provincial Doors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking, tall pair of doors wear their age with grace, and would bring character and intrigue to any doorway. They also work remarkably well as accent pieces, taking a bare cor...
Category

1920s French Vintage French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

French Provincial Doors
French Provincial Doors
H 97 in W 52.5 in D 2 in
Antique Architectural Wood Pedestal Plinth, 2 Available
Located in Sheffield, MA
The very rustic antique wooden column plinth, pedestal or base in the classical style can be used as side table, end table or pedestal for either...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Small 19th Century Yellow Glazed French Ceramic Confit Jar #2
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful small confit jar with its characteristic yellow glaze. Confit jars were used primarily in the South of France for the preservation of meats such as duck or goose for dishes such as cassoulet or foie gras...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Solid Teak French Chateau Sutter Mesh Doors with Original Ironmongery
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A very solid, high quality pair of hardwood 19th Century French shutter doors in original paint. A superb looking pair of doors with original ironmongery, including meshed upper section with iron bars. The doors do not have any glazing so these would have been originally used as shutter type door. Being hardwood, these are suitable for exterior or interior application. Would make a lovely entrance into an ensuite or bathroom or as a decorative feature on a Juliet balcony...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

Pair of Carved Wood Squared Pedestal Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of vintage American carved wood pedestal columns. This pair of bleached wood columns feature squared bodies with a single raised panel at each side, stacked molding just benea...
Category

20th Century American French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carved Wood Squared Pedestal Columns
Pair of Carved Wood Squared Pedestal Columns
H 56.25 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Antique Cast Iron French Door Knocker
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Antique cast iron French door knocker A gilt cast iron door knocker often described as the hand of Fatima or the hand of Eve. The piece is de...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Cast Iron French Door Knocker
Antique Cast Iron French Door Knocker
H 5.91 in W 1.97 in D 2.56 in
Small 19th Century Yellow Glazed French Ceramic Confit Jar #3
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful small confit jar with its characteristic yellow glaze. Confit jars were used primarily in the South of France for the preservation of meats such as duck or goose for dishes such as cassoulet or foie gras...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Three Antique Painted French Doors
Located in Houston, TX
Three antique painted French doors, heavy painted antique wooden doors (circa 1910-1930, France), deeply carved with geometrical moldings, in their original paint. Two doors hinge to...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

Three Antique Painted French Doors
Three Antique Painted French Doors
H 98.75 in W 59.38 in D 3 in
Previously Available Items
French, 17/18th Century, Hand Forged Iron Village Cross
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique hand forged iron cross that once stood in the centre of a Provençal village. France, circa 1650-1750. Weathered. Measurement is with the wooden base.
Category

17th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Door in Provençal blue with herbalist or pressed flowers
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Old French Door in Provencal Blue with a Herbalist or Pressed Herbs Collection with their description signs on each of them. Each herb...
Category

1790s Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Organic Material, Wood, Paint

French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique hand forged iron weathervane. Beautiful eyecatcher, France, circa 1600-1700. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category

17th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
H 28.75 in W 16.93 in D 3.94 in
Late 18th Century French Carved Panels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century. French. Very finely carved. Some minor losses to some of the carved details, but very minor.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Pair of Large Anduze Jars by the Gauthier Poterie
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of large Anduze jars (planters) by the Gauthier poterie, circa 1790-1809. Decorated in dark brown and green drip glaze and adorned with swag decoration...
Category

1790s French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

18th / 19th Century French Weathered Oak Capital with Figures
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered hand carved oak Capital with 2 figures, France 18/19th century. Weathered and old repairs. Measurement includes the wooden base.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

18th Century French Provincial Mantel
Located in palm beach, FL
Antique mantel fireplace, hand-carved in gray lacquered wood, with moved mouth shape and beautiful original antique patina, hand-built in the first half of the 18th century French provincial.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique hand forged iron weathervane. Beautiful eyecatcher, France, circa 1600-1700. Weathered. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category

17th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
French, 17th Century, Forged Iron Weathervane
H 28.75 in W 14.97 in D 3.55 in
18th Century Carved Fragment on Stand
Located in Vista, CA
Pair of 18th century carved fragment on iron and marble stand.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Iron

18th Century Carved Fragment on Stand
Located in Vista, CA
18th century carved fragment on marble stand.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

18th Century Carved Fragment on Stand
Located in Vista, CA
18th century carved fragment on iron and marble stand.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Iron

French 18th Century Carved Stone Fountain Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful carved stone fountain head with a great expression, France, circa 1750. Weathered.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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.

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