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.
Art Deco Faience Hb Quimper Bookends, a Pair
Located in Winter Park, FL
A good pair of Art Deco Faience bookends form HB Quimper, in good condition, very colorful. Dimensions are 7.5" long by 4.5" and 7" high. Each. Note, one small lost of glazing on the...
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Onyx "Ormolu Cassolettes"
Located in London, GB
"Ormolu Cassolettes" A highly attractive pair of late 19th Century gilt bronze and onyx cassolettes. The onyx cassolette pots raised on gilt bronze tripod decorated with raised faces and acorns exhibiting excellent hand finished detail ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 25.5 cm Width: 10 cm Depth: 10 cm Condition: Excellent Condition Circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze & Onyx SKU: 9167 ABOUT Ormolu is the gilding technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, and for objects finished in this way.The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of mercuric nitrate is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze; followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item is then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury vaporizes and the gold remains, adhering to the metal object...
Onyx, Bronze
Turn of the Century French Patinated Ecritoire with Display Glass Top
Located in High Point, NC
A patinated ecritoire produced during the turn of the century in France, this desk organizer is as functional as remarkable. Featuring a slant-top case crowned by a unique glass disp...
Glass, Wood
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in W 7.5 in D 7 in
Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Faience
$13,790
H 393.71 in W 393.71 in D 393.71 in
Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top Italy 1950’s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top, Italy 1950’s. Depth 84cm (approx 33inch), height 76 cm (approx 30 inch) Width in the back 204cm (approx 80 inch...
Leather, Nutwood
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
$3,957
H 31.89 in W 54.73 in D 29.14 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk, Beech & Walnut with Yellow Glass Top, 1950s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A beautifully restored mid-century modern desk that combines timeless charm with everyday functionality. The original high-gloss piano black top contrasts elegantly with the oiled ma...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality rare pair of 19th century French Vernis Martin cylinder top desks, each having marble tops with brass gallery, above a hand painted cupboard, flanked by mi...
Mahogany
$2,398
H 30.32 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Scandinavian Antique Table of Pine Wood with Green Patinated Frame, 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Scandinavian country side working table from the 19th century made of pine wood. The frame of table is hand painted with matte green pai...
Pine, Paint
French Faience Plate Henriot Quimper, circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
A French large faience plate with a farmer in the costume with flowers signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1950. Colorful yellow border and blue lines. Measure: 9.5 diameter.
Faience
$4,895
H 28.63 in W 45.32 in D 24.63 in
English Writing Table or Desk of Patinated Oak with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or desk of a handsomely patinated oak from the Edwardian era, featuring an inset embossed leather top, with moulded edge around the circumference, over a...
Metal, Brass
French Faience Plate Henriot Quimper, circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
A French faience plate with a farmer in the costume with flowers signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1950. Colorful yellow border and blue lines.
Faience
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century A richly ornamented French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze letter rack, dating to the late 19th century. This jewel-...
Ormolu
$3,800
H 20 in W 19.5 in D 10.5 in
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA . Exquisite English lap traveling desk portable. Countryside writing bureau in good condition conside...
Brass
$2,218
H 29.53 in W 40.16 in D 30.71 in
French Provincial Oak Table with Two Drawers, France, 19th Century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 19th Century / Table / oak / Rustic / France Provincial A charming example of 19th-century French Provincial craftsmanship, this rustic oak table embodies the warmth and si...
Oak
1800s French Antique Patinated Ecritoire
Located in High Point, NC
This antique ecritoire was crafted in France, circa 1800. A heavily distressed wooden ecritoire, this desk organizer flaunts a spacious case with an elegant slant top and a striking craquelure finish. Closed by a discreet lock, this one-of-a-kind antique will...
Metal
19th Century French Sterling and Enamel Dresser Set
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century French sterling and enamel dresser set Lovely set. Various pieces. Brushes, mirror, shoe horn, etched glass bottles. Good anti...
Sterling Silver, Enamel