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
$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
$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
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Crystal, Bronze
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
Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Crystal, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm
Crystal, Bronze
French Faience Floral Plate Henriot Quimper Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Floral Plate Henriot Quimper Circa 1950.
Faience
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
$2,950Sale Price|34% Off
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 9 in
Bronze Inkwell in Ram's Head Design, Late 19th Century, France
Located in Montreal, QC
There was a great appetite for things Scottish in Victorian England. Plaids, Scottish regiments, Tartan Carpets, Marmalade etc. The ram's head also makes...
Bronze
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...
Crystal, Malachite
Quimper Faience Teapot with Breton Woman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Quimper Faience Teapot with the lid. Breton peasant woman in virtually unused condition. Can be parcel posted. More pieces to follow.
Faience
Collection of 5 French Quimper Faience Plates
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful collection of French Quimper plates. This collection has been curated over the years and would make a fantastic colorful statement piece on any coffee table or dining room ...
Faience
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
Sold
H 21.1 in W 20.1 in D 20.3 in
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
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