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French Provincial Boxes

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
Majolica Shell Money Bank Box, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica shell Money Bank Box, Circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Shell Money Bank Box, Circa 1900
Majolica Shell Money Bank Box, Circa 1900

Majolica Shell Money Bank Box, Circa 1900

Boite en céramique Francaise décoré à l'or fin, French Riviera Vallauris 1960
By Vallauris
Located in London, England
Boite à bijoux ou vide poche en céramique émaillé multicolore dorée à l'or fin . Fabriquée dans les ateliers de Vallauris elle est richement décorée à l'or fin et le ciselage des fle...
Category

1960s French Vintage French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Boite en céramique Francaise décoré à l'or fin, French Riviera Vallauris 1960
Boite en céramique Francaise décoré à l'or fin, French Riviera Vallauris 1960

Boite en céramique Francaise décoré à l'or fin, French Riviera Vallauris 1960

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.
Category

20th Century English French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Wood

Large Decorative Box, in Wood, England, 20th Century Fruits Decor
Large Decorative Box, in Wood, England, 20th Century Fruits Decor

Large Decorative Box, in Wood, England, 20th Century Fruits Decor

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...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Box in Ceramic with Geometrical Decoration Pattern Valluaris signed France 1960
Box in Ceramic with Geometrical Decoration Pattern Valluaris signed France 1960

Box in Ceramic with Geometrical Decoration Pattern Valluaris signed France 1960

19th Century French Provençal Walnut Fariniere, or Flour Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Provençal fariniere, or decorative flour box made of walnut with simple linear decoration of wheat and a flower urn. Waxed patina. This beautifully craft...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Provençal Walnut Fariniere, or Flour Box
19th Century French Provençal Walnut Fariniere, or Flour Box

19th Century French Provençal Walnut Fariniere, or Flour Box

Group Of Matching Decorative Italian Toleware Boxes
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Group of Italian toleware comprised of a hinged box, covered and footed compote and a covered oval box. The pieces in yellow/cream and decorated with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Metal

Group Of Matching Decorative Italian Toleware Boxes
Group Of Matching Decorative Italian Toleware Boxes

Group Of Matching Decorative Italian Toleware Boxes

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.
Category

19th Century English Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century Flowers Decor
Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century Flowers Decor

Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century Flowers Decor

Majolica Onnaing Hot Air Balloon Money Bank Box, Circa 1900
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Onnaing Hot Air Balloon Money Bank Box, Circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Onnaing Hot Air Balloon Money Bank Box, Circa 1900
Majolica Onnaing Hot Air Balloon Money Bank Box, Circa 1900

Majolica Onnaing Hot Air Balloon Money Bank Box, Circa 1900

Tabacco Pot, in Wood and Brass, Brown Color, French, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Tabacco box in wood. With brass. Leaf Decor pattern. Brown color. It has been made in France Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Brass

Tabacco Pot, in Wood and Brass, Brown Color, French, 1970
Tabacco Pot, in Wood and Brass, Brown Color, French, 1970

Tabacco Pot, in Wood and Brass, Brown Color, French, 1970

Wall Boxes in Cooper and Wood France 1960 Brown color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This wall boxes set, is in wood and Copper engraved plates. The colors are brown, and it has been made in France circa 1960.
Category

1960s French Vintage French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Copper

Wall Boxes in Cooper and Wood France 1960 Brown color
Wall Boxes in Cooper and Wood France 1960 Brown color

Wall Boxes in Cooper and Wood France 1960 Brown color

19th Majolica Parrot Tobacco Jar Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica tobacco jar with a parrot Onnaing, circa 1880.   
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Majolica

19th Majolica Parrot Tobacco Jar Onnaing
19th Majolica Parrot Tobacco Jar Onnaing

19th Majolica Parrot Tobacco Jar Onnaing

Majolica Ceramic Trompe l'Oeil Asparagus Covered Box
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Majolica ceramic trompe l'Oeil asparagus covered box By Fitz & Floyd Japan, circa 1980s Measures: 7.25"W x 4"D x 3.13"H Very good original vintage condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Ceramic Trompe l'Oeil Asparagus Covered Box
Majolica Ceramic Trompe l'Oeil Asparagus Covered Box

Majolica Ceramic Trompe l'Oeil Asparagus Covered Box

19th Century French Blue Normandy Marriage Box
Located in Hastings, GB
An early 19th century hand painted Normandy Marriage Box, beautiful original paint and time worn patina, stunning colour. Width 48cm, Height 26cm, Depth 29.5cm Inner Depth (not i...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paper

19th Century French Blue Normandy Marriage Box
19th Century French Blue Normandy Marriage Box

19th Century French Blue Normandy Marriage Box

Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Very pretty Limoges porcelain old fashion Victorian style lace up boot shoe shaped trinket box is handmade in France and features a white background with skillfully hand painted clusters of deep pink roses, vining green...
Category

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box
Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box

Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s
By Fabienne Jouvin
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced in Paris by Fabienne Jouvin, 1980s. Very good condition with signs of usage and patina.
Category

1980s French Vintage French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s
Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

Antique Leather Embossed Box, France, 1880
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Leather embossed Antique box or small chest Great patine Cognac Color. Deposited with Brass Head Nails.
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Leather

Antique Leather Embossed Box, France, 1880
Antique Leather Embossed Box, France, 1880

Antique Leather Embossed Box, France, 1880

Antique French Metal Book-Shaped Box
Located in High Point, NC
This unique treasure was created in 19th Century France. Whimsical and unique, this metal box shaped like a leather-bound book, painted with a faux-wood trompe-l'œil finish that meti...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique French Metal Book-Shaped Box
Antique French Metal Book-Shaped Box

Antique French Metal Book-Shaped Box

19th Century French Boite à Sel or Salt Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French boite à sel, or salt box, made of walnut with hinged lid and small drawer with turned knob. Bold hand-carved decoration. Waxed...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Boite à Sel or Salt Box
19th Century French Boite à Sel or Salt Box

19th Century French Boite à Sel or Salt Box

Fine Quality Late 19th Century “Dome“ Shaped Box
Located in Middleburg, VA
Fine Quality Late 19th Century “Dome“ Shaped Box . Beautifully Crafted, Constructed of “Burled Amboyna Wood” with Ebony edging. Nice small proportions with a deep patination and reta...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Ebony, Amboyna

Fine Quality Late 19th Century “Dome“ Shaped Box
Fine Quality Late 19th Century “Dome“ Shaped Box

Fine Quality Late 19th Century “Dome“ Shaped Box

18th Century French Fariniere or Decorative Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An exquisitely carved Fariniere or flour box from Provence. Decorated with carved fish and flower swags, this fariniere features a lower inset panel w...
Category

1780s French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

18th Century French Fariniere or Decorative Box
18th Century French Fariniere or Decorative Box

18th Century French Fariniere or Decorative Box

French Boite à Sel or Salt Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French boite à sel, or salt box, made of solid walnut with hinged lid and small drawer. A rustic hand-crafted box with dark waxed finish. This box was used to s...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Walnut

French Boite à Sel or Salt Box
French Boite à Sel or Salt Box

French Boite à Sel or Salt Box

Late 19th Century Wooden Salt Box
Located in Vista, CA
Late 19th century salt box, with an intricate carved flower motif on the sliding door, resting on scroll feet with a top flower finial. 1880, 16.5" X4" X7".
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century Wooden Salt Box
Late 19th Century Wooden Salt Box

Late 19th Century Wooden Salt Box

18th Century French Decorative Hand Carved Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Provencal fariniere beautifully carved and constructed. A sliding front panel features two carved fish. The box is dovetailed with a false bottom drawer. Lovel...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

18th Century French Decorative Hand Carved Box
18th Century French Decorative Hand Carved Box

18th Century French Decorative Hand Carved Box

Antique 19th Century French Provincial Salt Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French provincial salt box.
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century French Provincial Salt Box
Antique 19th Century French Provincial Salt Box

Antique 19th Century French Provincial Salt Box

French Provincial boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial boxes 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 boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Limoges, Sarreguemines, Biot, and Castel Limoges. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $51 and tops out at $12,623 while the average work can sell for $433.

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