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.
French Provincial Wood Box, with sculpted decors, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A French decorative box made of solid wood, dating from the 1950s, adorned with carved and painted panels depicting traditional figures (female and male portraits in regional costume...
Wood
$2,165
Jewelry box “Owl”
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular jewelry box “Owl”, ceramic lid with polychrome enamels highlighted with gold on a crackled background. Original green felt lining. On this box, Mithé Espelt makes gold a...
Ceramic, Wood
Wooden box and mirror, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wooden box with integrated mirror, made in France circa 1950. This elegant box features a metal hinged, expandable structure, typical of mid-20th-century sewing boxes or vanity cases...
Wood, Glass
Royal Limoges Castel France 22-Karat Gold Trinket Round Box in Cobalt Blue
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Royal Limoges France 22-Karat Gold Trinket Round Box in Cobalt Blue. Elegant large French vintage round Limoges trinket jewelry porcelain box i...
Porcelain
French Wooden Box with Ceramic Inlay – Geometric Floral Motif – Circa 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
French Wooden Box with Ceramic Inlay – Geometric Floral Motif – Circa 1950 Description: This is a decorative wooden box made in France around 1950. The lid features a refined geomet...
Wood, Ceramic
$2,165
Colombes
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Colombes Ceramic H x W x D : 6.50 cm. x 26.50 cm. x 9.50 cm. 2.56 in. x 10.43 in. x 3.74 in. Very good condition This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated wi...
Gold Leaf
Set of 2 Rectangular French Breton Wood Trinket Jewelry Boxes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in France, a charming set of two hand-carved wooden Breton style boxes. Breton is a type of French antique furniture from the Brittany region in France. The Breton style is ...
Wood, Paint
$2,406
Trésor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Trésor Ceramic, 1953 Catalog : [Candau p.75] H x W x D : 7.50 cm. x 10.00 cm. x 14.50 cm. 2.95 in. x 3.94 in. x 5.71 in. Stamped clay with geometric patterns, enamels and gold ...
Gold Leaf
$1,804
Flowers Jewellery box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Glazed ceramic jewellery box with flowers and blackened wooden base. This beautiful jewelry box is topped with a stamped earthenware lid and decorated with a floral enamel motif fea...
Ceramic, Wood
Sevres Style Porcelain Footed Dresser Box, circa 1920
Located in High Point, NC
Sevres style hand painted porcelain dresser box with hand applied ormolu mounts and feet. Wonderful condition.
Ormolu
$1,804
Box Birds
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with bluish, green and white polychrome enamels. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential element of the boudoir....
Ceramic, Wood
Wooden "tobacco" box, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A French wooden box from the 1950s, originally intended for storing tobacco. Rectangular in shape, it is distinguished by its clean, functional lines, typical of mid-20th-century utilitarian objects. The wood has a beautiful antique patina, with warm, deep tones that highlight the natural grain. The decoration is accentuated by a geometric pattern inlaid on the lid and front, adding a subtle graphic touch. Authentic and elegant, this "Tobacco" box is now ideal as a decorative object, storage box, or desk accessory, fitting perfectly into a vintage, mid-century, or classic interior. Key Features: Wooden tobacco...
Wood
Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 20th Century Fruits Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 20th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, Green and brown in color.
Brass
$2,045
Box Bird bronze
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Box Bird bronze Ceramic H x W x D : 27.00 cm. x 10.00 cm. x 6.50 cm. 10.63 in. x 3.94 in. x 2.56 in. Good condition This elongated box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decor...
Gold Leaf
Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century Flowers Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, red and brown in color.
Brass
Small Ceramic Lidded Box – France – 1960s – Patinated Glaze with Modern Geometri
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Small Ceramic Lidded Box – France – 1960s – Patinated Glaze with Modern Geometric Design Description: This is a small ceramic lidded box, made in France in the 1960s, showcasing a u...
Ceramic, Pottery
Large Decorative Box, in Wood, England, 20th Century Fruits Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 20th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, Green and brown in color.
Wood
Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century Flowers Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, Grey and Yellow in color.
Brass
Box in Ceramic with Floral Decoration Pattern
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This jewelry box, can be used as a vide poche too. It is in ceramic, and has been done in France in the 1950's, by a French artist named François Lambo. It is in a very good condition.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative square box by Mithé Espelt, stained wood box covered with a ceramic lid showing a single white and blue flower framed with gold glaze....
Ceramic
Wooden Hand Crafted French Art Deco Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, a very unique and well made box. The rounded ribbed sides and pull on the lid are very well thought out, with an aluminum detail on the sides. A complimen...
Aluminum
Malachite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. This green Malachite box has a hexagon shape with a white onyx marble star with gold gilt detail on top lid. A great decorative piece or jewelry box (as demonstrated), to hold necklaces, rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimensions: 3.38" Depth x 4" Width. Purple charoite box shown also available, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314228491742 Green malachite box with cameo, search ref. #: LU1314228492012 (SOLD) Small gold and malachite turtle...
Malachite, Onyx
Vintage Wooden Trinket Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Small Walnut trinket box lined with felt. Original felt on the bottom. Shown with life size hand model for scale. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1970. ...
Felt, Wood
Limoges Paris Round Rose & Gold Vintage Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand painted Limoges porcelain trinket box, France, circa 1970-1980. The round box is braced with a metal frame featuring a floral clasp. Decorated with a pink rose and gilded scr...
Metal
Japanese Jewelry Box, 1900
Located in Marseille, FR
Jewelry box Japan 1890/1900 decorated with a hundred Menukis in embossed brass and inlays measuring height 33 x 33 x 15 cm. Menukis are ornamental pi...
Rosewood
Italian Leather Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Italian tan leather jewelry box with gold embossed fleur-de-lis design on top, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Box, with its demi-line (halfmoon) shape, has an all-tan leather exte...
Leather, Suede
Wooden box with metal inlay. Possibly french, 19th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Box with metal marquetry. Wood, metal. Possibly French school, 19th century. Has damage. Requires restoration. Rectangular chest with a flat lid that has a dark wood interior decor...
Metal, Other
$625
H 9 in W 16 in D 10 in
Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Box with Sailboats Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1920, the antique wood and brass coffer is decorated on the top with a repousse sail boat scene in the manner of Claude Vernet. T...
Brass
Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic jewelry box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Stamped clay, enamels in shades of green, gold, blackened wood box Date of creation: around 1955-1960 Bibliography: " Mithé Espelt,...
Ceramic
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt — Lunel, France, 1950s. A stunning mid-century ceramic jewelry box crafted by renowned French artist Mithé Espelt in Lunel, France, d...
Ceramic, Wood
French Limoges Trinket Box Red Chile Pepper France
By Limoges
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Charming Limoges Porcelain Trinket Box in the shape of long red chile pepper. The interior of the box is marked Peint Main Limoges France 015/750 This rare piece would certainly be a...
Brass
The Two Doves and the Branch
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Radiance in a corner This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with orange and scarlet polychrome enamels. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential elemen...
Ceramic, Wood
Sunflower Jewelry Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Slight enamel skip on one corner This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid adorned with burgundy enamel and a golden sunflower, offering a precious warm and luminous ha...
Gold Leaf
Box Bird bronze
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This elongated box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with gold enamel. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential element of the boudoir. It is both useful and an od...
Gold Leaf
Large Antique French Ormolu Beveled Glass Jewelry Casket or Dresser Box
Located in Pearland, TX
A stunning antique French brass ormolu beveled glass footed jewelry casket or dresser box with hinged lid and lovely flower shaped handle. This fine quality box has the original tuft...
Ormolu
Box Pink Bird
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This object reflects Mithé Espelt's work, a celebration of women's everyday lives, made infinitely precious. How is Mithé Espelt? Marie-Thérèse Espelt, better known as Mithé Espelt,...
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Little flower
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A jewelry box created as a tribute to the American musician and composer Sidney Bechet, by one of the leading figures in 20th-century French ceramics, who turned her art into an ode ...
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Jewelry Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A rectangular jewelry box whose fine craftsmanship resonates with the talent of this renowned French ceramist. Here, the artist creates a sparkling decorat...
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Jewelry Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
The French ceramist invites us to contemplate the beauty of everyday objects through a glazed motif of pink and white daisies, decorating a square jewelry box...
Enamel
Sold
H 3.55 in W 4.34 in D 5.52 in
Box in Ceramic with Geometrical Decoration Pattern Valluaris signed France 1960
By Vallauris
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This jewelry box, can be used as a vide poche too. It is in ceramic, and has been done in France in the 1950's, by a French artist named . It is in a very good condition. Box in Cera...
Ceramic
Unique Limoges France Toilet Shaped Hand Painted Porcelain Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Collectible handmade and hand painted Limoges France porcelain miniature toilet shaped trinket box features a white background with pretty hand painted floral motifs accenting differ...
Metal
French Wood Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful antique jewelry box in original wood finish, metal hardware and round legs. Great metal carving details especially on the legs.
Wood