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.
$680Sale Price / set|51% Off
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
19th Century Wrought Iron "Rat de Cave" Candleholders, Normandy, set of 7
Located in Diest, BE
A rare and superb set of 7 rat de cave candleholders, hand-forged in wrought iron with wooden elements, Normandy, France, 18th century. Crafted by hand, featuring the traditional spi...
Wrought Iron
Antique Silver plated France church candle sticks 1850s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice pair of Silver Plated Church candle sticks .France 1850s Triangle shaped base . with Three saints Jesus Maria and Josef.. normal wear ...
Silver Plate
Antique French 18th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder, Circa 1700-1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Very old and beautiful hand forged iron candleholder. Amazing period piece with a very pure and rustic design. Despite of its high age this candleholder is still very strong. France...
Iron
$408Sale Price / set|50% Off
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of three pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique. France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentic...
Pewter
$1,154Sale Price|48% Off
French 17/18th Century Hand Forged Iron Gothic Style Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful hand forged Iron candleholder in Gothic style. Although the Gothic period was already over this style stayed popular for a long time in the French country side. Very beaut...
Iron
$325Sale Price|49% Off
Wrought Iron Rat De Cave Candleholder, 18th Century, Normandie, France
Located in Buisson, FR
Wrought iron rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 18th century. Weathered.
Iron
$679Sale Price|41% Off
French, 18th Century, Large Hand Forged Iron Rat De Cave Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Large wrought iron rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 18th century. Weathered. H:45cm W:19cm D:18cm .More photo's are available on request.
Iron
$348Sale Price|47% Off
French, 18th Century, Hand Forged Iron Rat De Cave Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Wrought iron rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 18th century. Weathered. H:30cm W:18,5cm D:19cm
Iron
$408Sale Price / set|50% Off
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of three pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique. France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentic...
Pewter
$679Sale Price / set|51% Off
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authenti...
Pewter
$3,250Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Pair of 17th Century Hand-Forged Iron Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of 17th century hand forged iron candleholders, France, circa 1650. Weathered with great patine more photo's available on request.
Iron
$679Sale Price / set|51% Off
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
Antique French Pinewood Candle Holders with Acanthus Décor, Circa 1840
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of early 19th Century candle holders on tripod base, carved out of Pinewood with acanthus leaf décor. Original polychrome silver gold patina, in good condition...
Metal
Large Hand Forged Iron Candleholder, Gothic Style, France, Circa 1650
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful hand forged Iron candleholder in Gothic style. Although the Gothic period was already over this style stayed popular for a long time in the French country side. Very beaut...
Iron
French H B Quimper Faience Ceramic Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French hand-painted Faience pottery candlesticks made by HB Quimper. Decorated in their Soleil Yellow pattern with a floral edge. The candlesticks are each embellished with...
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th French Faience of Desvres Candlestick, a Pair
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th pair of French Faience Candlestick with the Rouen Decor, from the faiencerie of Desvres, signed on bottom Mosanic. Note : one chip on the top. See last picture. Dimen...
Faience
Handmade Olive Branch Candle Holder from Provence
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this Olive Branch Candle Holder is a testament to the exquisite artisanship of Provence, France. Each piece, handmade, embodies the seren...
Metal
French Baroque Style Grey Painted Alter Candle Pillar Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Carved alter stand with fantastic paint and patina. Could be used with a pillar candle atop or just as is. Wonderful addition on a table or mantle in any formal or informal home seek...
Cement
Antique Hand Painted French Carved Giltwood & Floral Candlesticks - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of antique French hand painted carved wood candlesticks. Each is hand painted and depicts spray of flowers on a blue and gold background. Felt bottoms are in good shape.
Wood
French Provincial beautiful aged cast iron Candlesticks, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful, aged cast iron candlesticks from France, 1930s. Two solid iron bases decorated with floral and nature motifs. Perfect for atmospherically illuminating long summer evenings...
Iron
Large Provincial Copper Church Candlestick, France, ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / Candlestick / copper / Rustic / French Provincial This very large and tall, characterful candlestick from France, dating to around 1900, embodies the charming simpl...
Copper
Two 19th Century French Provincial Turned Beech Wood Candlesticks
Located in Middleburg, VA
A charming pair of 19th-century French Provincial candlesticks, turned from solid beech wood with a beautifully weathered whitewashed finish. Crafted in France circa 1860, these rust...
Beech
Robert Picault (1919–2000) Chamberstick, Vallauris, France, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Delightful hand-thrown ceramic chamberstick by Robert Picault, featuring his signature turquoise, brown, and white palette. The circular base and loop handle are decorated with Picau...
Ceramic
Large French Copper Candlestick with Bold Geometric Details
Located in Middleburg, VA
A superb example of late 18th-century French provincial metalwork! This large copper candlestick exudes sculptural presence and timeworn beauty. Hand-forged in Provence around 1780, ...
Metal, Copper, Tin
Antique Italian Hand-Carved Giltwood Candlestick, 17th-18th Century
Located in Lincoln, GB
Antique Italian Altar Hand-Carved Giltwood Candlestick This decorative Italian altar candlestick, dating from the late 17th to early 18th centur...
Giltwood
Pair of Sculptural Ceramic Candle Sticks
Located in Millbrook, NY
Pair of Pale Terracotta Handmade Sculptural Candleholders from South America. These candlesticks are hand built with a rustic yet modern sensibility. The rounded shaped footings give...
Clay, Terracotta
Pair of 19th Century Copper Candleholders
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of firm 19th century copper candleholders. Originates Nothern France, dating circa 1850.
Copper
$537Sale Price|42% Off
H 14.38 in W 13.78 in D 7.49 in
18th-19th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful 18th-19th century hand forged iron candleholder. A wonderful example of primitive folk art. A perfect balance between utility and aesthetics. Southern France, Spain, 18th...
Iron
Candleholders Italian Tall Rococo Period 18th Century, Italy
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candleholders made during the Rococo period in Italy. Decorated with carvings and hand painted in silvery gold color and light coral red.
Wood
Pair Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Louis XV Style Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of antique French 19th century Louis XV style five light gilt bronze candelabra Beautiful antique French five light gilt bronze hand chiselled pair of Louis XV style can...
Bronze
18th Century Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Allerum, SE
18th century Swedish folk art wrought iron Candle Holder. ca 1780 Sweden.
Wrought Iron
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Carved Wooden Candleholders
Located in Bradenton, FL
Very nice Pair of 19th Century Italian pillar candleholders. Features beautiful carved bulbous and curved wooden design. Round base. Nice black and tan patina. Wonderful form.
Wood
18th Century French Gothic Forged Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1780 and forged of solid iron, the candle holder stands on four scrolled legs over a turned central shaft decorated with a few ornamental discs. The tall wrou...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Floor Candleholder
Located in Delft, NL
Wrought iron floor candleholder A wrought iron standing tripod floor candleholder with 5 candle holders with collars on a partially ...
Wrought Iron
Pair Weighted Sterling Silver Fluted Candle Sticks/Holders
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-958 Pair fluted weighted sterling silver candle sticks Marked sterling on bottom with makers name.
Sterling Silver
$815Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 43.71 in
Pair Of Antique Decorative Candlesticks, English, Silver Plate, Candle Sconce
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique decorative candlesticks. An English, silver plated candle sconce, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Elegant pair of candlesticks with a bright...
Silver Plate
18th century gilt wood altar candle stick pair
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
authentic age patina, worm holes to wood, created at a time where only one decorated side was suitable. French or Italian, mid 19th century, showing their age and charm. A stately pa...
Other
19th Century pair of wrought iron "Rat de cave" candleholders
Located in Diest, BE
A rare and exquisite pair of rat de cave candlesticks, hand-forged in wrought iron with wooden details, originating from Normandy, France, 19th century. Expertly crafted by hand, the...
Wrought Iron
French, 17/ 18th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Very old and beautiful hand forged iron candleholder. France, circa 1650-1750. Weathered.
Iron
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
French, 18th Century, Hand Forged Iron Rat De Cave Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Wrought iron rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 18th century. Weathered. H:22cm W:14cm D:16cm
Iron
Brass Push Up Candlesticks, French, 19th C.
Located in Ross, CA
Brass push up candlesticks made in France in the 19th century. The pushup feature is fully functional, the set is matching and well rounded at the base with no dents.
Brass
French 18th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Very old and beautiful hand forged iron candleholder. Amazing period piece with a very pure and rustic design. Despite of its high age this candleholder is still very strong. France...
Iron
French, 18th Century, Hand Forged Iron Rat De Cave Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Wrought iron rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 18th century. Weathered. H:24cm W:13cm D:12cm
Iron
Sold
H 31 in W 10 in D 10 in
2 Maitland Smith French Marble & Bronze Candlesticks Candelabras Candle Holders
Located in Dayton, OH
A large pair of Maitland Smith candlesticks, circa last quarter 20th century. Features French styling with exceptional craftmanship. Each candle holder is made from bronze with a seven light candelabra along the top over a central Grecian column with tessellated marble, foliate and acanthus motif. The candle stick is mounted on tripod with downswept legs over a layer tri-form plinth vase...
Marble, Bronze
Handmade Olive Branch with Roots Candle Holder from Provence
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this Olive Branch with Roots Candle Holder is a testament to the exquisite artisanship of Provence, France. Measuring 8 inches in length ...
Metal
Handmade Olive Branch Candle Holder from Provence
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this Olive Branch Double Candle Holder is a testament to the exquisite artisanship of Provence, France. Each piece, handmade, embodies th...
Metal
19th Century French Giltwood Candlestick
Located in High Point, NC
This wooden candle holder was made in France. An ancient tradition of necessity and pleasure: providing light, emitting heat, pleasant fragrances, and keeping time– the little flame ...
Giltwood