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.
Early 19th Century French Rectangular Gold Gilt Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in the Provence region this wooden rectangular frame has fantastic gilt and patina. Add some vintage charm to your favorite water color, print or oil painting with this attr...
Wood, Paint
Large Mid-Century Carved Painted Wood Picture Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Carved Painted Wood Frame, 1950's Fantastic carved wood frame with liner, in a distressed finish and incredible patina. Great piece for your favorite oil painting as well as could a...
Wood, Paint, Giltwood
Marc Mongin Gold Leaf Framed Oil on Linen French Landscape Painting, Dated 1919
By Marc Mongin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Found in France, an oil on linen landscape painting, mounted in a wide, gold-leafed wood frame, signed and dated 1919. Painted by the French artist Marc Mongin, the scene is typic...
Linen, Giltwood
Antique Wood Rectangular Gold Gilt Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A charming frame from France that is suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. This frame certainly captures that vintage Europ...
Gold
Photo frame, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The photo is not provided. A charming set of four antique French earthenware plates dating from the early 20th century. Each piece features a different hand-painted design: scenes o...
Glass
Antique Wood Rectangular Gold Silver Gilt Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A charming frame in both gold and silver gilt from France that is suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. This frame certainl...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
A Set of Three Ornithological Engravings – Early 20th Century - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Set of Three Ornithological Engravings – Early 20th Century A beautiful set of three early 20th-century ornithological plates, depicting various bird species with remarkable precisi...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$680Sale Price|28% Off
Large French Rectangular Painted Wood Gilt Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in the Provence region this wooden painted rectangular frame has fantastic gilt. Add some vintage charm to your favorite water color, print of oil painting with this attract...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Dutch Oil on Canvas Painting of Old Man Smoking a Pipe Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original 19th century Dutch oil on canvas of an old man smoking a pipe which is part of a suite I have seven of these lifestyle, natural Dutch oil paintings, the others are all listed under my other items, they each have a very serene look and feel to them This one is of an elderly gentleman smoking a pipe The condition of the oil is very good, there will be some wear around the edges and it is unframed as you can see Dimensions Height:- 40.5cm Width:- 30.5cm Depth:- 2cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid. ABOUT US We are a privately owned family ran business founded in Wimbledon SW19 and now based in Pulborough RH20. We specialise in finding, restoring very fine luxury antique leather seating, along with every single other type of antique ranging...
Pine, Paint
Antique Gold Leaf Wood Frame, Hand-Crafted, North America, 1920
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful gold leaf antique wood frame. Measures: 27”.25 x 19”.5.
Wood
Indian Chief Oil Painting in Gold Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Painting of a Native American man with a head dress believed to by a tribal chief. This is signed and dated by Fred Grosson in 1981.
Wood, Paint, Canvas
Early 19th Century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French giltwood frame. The inside dimensions 39.25 x 31.25
Giltwood
Gilt Bronze Frame, Contemporary Work
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rectangular shape gilt bronze frame with a decor of small beads agglomerate. Contemporary work.
Bronze
$5,400
H 12.75 in W 8.75 in D 1 in
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Gilt Metal picture frame
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Gilt Metal picture frame. This impressive picture frame displays three sections for photos and can be hang or showcased on a ...
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Frame in Renaissance Style Wood Marquetry.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century Italian frame in Renaissance style wood marquetry. 19th century Italian Renaissance style wood marquetry frame. Frame: H: 25.5cm, W: 20cm, D: 1cm Interior view: H: 14,8...
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved and Silver Gilt Frame
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved and silver gilded Italian 19th century frame with sgrafitto and cross-hatch design.
$70,078Sale Price|20% Off
H 45.28 in W 59.45 in D 2.76 in
Alberto Carlieri, Capriccio with Christ and the Adulteress, Oil on Canvas
By Alberto Carlieri
Located in IT
Alberto Carlieri (Italy-Roma 1672-1720), "Christ and the adulteress", Oil on canvas, with frame cm H 115 x L 151 x 6.5, only canvas H 98.5 x L 135 cm...
Canvas
Antique Guatemalan Hand Carved Wood Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Antique rare Guatemalan wood frame with traditional geometric patterns, which are depicting Nature through the design. Wood backing, with metal wire to ...
Wood
$295
H 6.5 in W 3.75 in D 0.38 in
Antique Louis XVI Style French Gilt Bronze Picture Frame, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze picture frame 19th Century Classic elaborate bow motif crest, stylized laurel leaf border with fine beaded details. Black velvet back with ...
Bronze
$408
H 12.6 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Late 19th Century French Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French photo frame in Empire style, dating from the late 19th century. The frame is decorated with finely detailed gilt copper ornaments that give it a refined and timeless c...
Copper
$373
H 6.3 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
19th Century Ormolu Gilt Bronze Picture Frame - Louis XVI Style - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ormolu gilt bronze picture frame. Very fine details, Louis XVI style. France, circa 1880-1890. The picture frame is 15,5 cm tall, the diameter is Ø12 cm. Diame...
Bronze
A Pair of French 19th Century Gold Leaf Miniature Frames Lovely pieces
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French 19th Century Gold Leaf Miniature Frames Lovely pieces, shaped and moulded and gold leafed, formerly used to show 2 Miniature portraits, the back of one had been rep...
Gold Leaf
French Mirror
Located in Rümmingen, BW
This over-the-mantel mirror has still its original mirror plate and wooden frame as well as wooden back panels. This classic French design will add class and an elegant flair. The go...
Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 23.5 in D 3 in
French Louis XVI Style Gilt Oval Wall Frames With Bow Wreath and Fruit Garlands
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis XVI style gilt wall frames with bow wreath and fruit garlands, early 20th. Each frame has carved ribbon and foliate crest, oval reeded f...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Sold
H 14.5 in W 21.5 in D 1.25 in
Antique French Rose Triple Oval Picture Frame Carved Oak Black Forest c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Rose Triple Oval Picture Frame Carved Oak Black Forest c1890. Direct from France, a highly carved antique triple oval picture frame. The large frame has carved serp...
Oak
Sold
H 9 in W 11 in D 0.5 in
Vintage 1950s Audoux Minet Braided Rope Frame – Mid-Century French Design
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in IT
This vintage braided rope frame by renowned French designers Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet dates back to the 1950s, embodying the charm of mid-century French design. Crafted with met...
Rope
Hand Carved French Walnut Picture Frame/Easel
Located in Malibu, CA
Ornate antique French picture frame in dark brown walnut. The frame is adorned with finely carved details of scrolls & foliate design. In...
Fabric, Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 14.5 in W 21.5 in D 1.25 in
Antique French Rose Triple Oval Picture Frame Carved Oak Black Forest, c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French rose triple oval picture frame carved oak black forest c1890. Direct from France, a highly carved antique triple oval picture frame. The large frame has carved serpentine edges to all sides and features six lovely, dimensionally carved open French roses, with rosebuds and foliage intertwined between the flowers.Three oval frame openings with carved center edges for your family photos...
Oak
Sold
H 17.33 in W 22.84 in D 1.58 in
J.Macle "The Cows" Oil Painting Hand-Painted French School 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice oil on canvas of a forest landscape. A soothing atmosphere is visible with the sunlight streaming through the foliage. This beautiful painting of a good quality of executio...
Canvas
Sold
H 17.92 in W 23.23 in D 0.79 in
« Still Life with Flowers » Oil on Canvas Hand-Painted French School 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful oil on canvas of the XIX th century. In this wicker basket, we find irises, daisies, anemones, wallflowers… Still life painting from the 19th century. Still life rea...
Canvas
Antique French Oak Wall Ornament
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden wall ornament from France, circa 1900. This antique ornament oozes into a surprising pointed shape, handcrafted in oak. Emblazoned with ...
Oak, Paint
Turn of the Century French Wooden Black Board
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden black board from France, circa 1900, crowned with gilded carvings. Festoons of carved leaves drape elegantly over the upper corners of the blackbo...
Wood, Giltwood
Gold Starburst Convex Cameo Mirror with Photo Frames
By Syroco
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful gold starburst style convex mirror with 8 round photo frames surrounding. Created from plastic, (we believe by Syroco) this lovely piece is created from plastic. At it’s center, a convex mirror. It is surrounded by 8 smaller round convex glass frames...
Glass, Mirror, Plastic