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.
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
$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
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 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
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
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
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
$339
H 8.27 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Style Bronze Oval Desktop Picture Frame
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XVI style bronze oval photo or picture desktop easel frame from circa the 1900s. This adorable picture frame is made of bronze and has an easel supporting leg on the bac...
Bronze
Oversized Antique Gilt Wood Art Frame C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
This oversized antique art frame is crafted from wood with a gilt finish, dating to approximately 1890. The frame features intricate decorative molding, including a repeating pattern...
Giltwood
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
$6,799
H 14.97 in W 14.97 in D 6.7 in
Large Gilt Bronze and Dioptase Lamp Picture Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Tall model of photo picture or drawing frame light lamp in gilt bronze and dioptase stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz.
Quartz, Stone, Bronze
$1,116
H 28.35 in W 22.45 in D 2.45 in
Antique Black Tramp Art Frame Folk Art Picture Frame Carved Wood Carved Oak
Located in Munich, DE
This tramp art picture frame was handcrafted and hand carved in the last decades of the 19th century. It is decorated with for pointed stars, square and rectangular pyramids, lozeng...
Oak
Antique Carved Gilt Wood Frame With Glass C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Carved Gilt Wood Frame with Glass C1900 Measures - 25"H x 23"W x 4.75"D A beautifully crafted antique carved gilt wood frame from around 1900. This piece features intricate...
Giltwood
$411
H 5.67 in W 7.21 in D 1.5 in
Anthroposophical Rudolf Steiner Hand-Carved Wood Photo Picture Frame ca. 1930s
By Rudolf Steiner
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This charming hand-carved wooden photo frame, dating to the 1930s, reflects the anthroposophical design principles inspired by Rudolf Steiner. Crafted from solid wood with a warm two...
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Carved Wood Art Nouveau Tabletop Frame
Located in Toronto, CA
A beautifully preserved early 20th century Italian carved wood tabletop photo frame, crafted circa 1915–1925 and notable for its substantial, large-scale presence. This elegant piece...
Glass, Wood
$336
H 7.68 in W 5.91 in D 5.52 in
Vintage Sorrento Olive Wood Rectangular Portrait Photo Frame 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A truly superb decorative Italian Sorrento olive wood photo frame retailed by Poultons, 352 Strand W.C, London, circa 1860 in date. This rectangular portrait olive wood frame features marquetry inlaid satinwood masks and ducks, with an easel back and featuring an original photo of Prince...
Wood, Olive, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Gold Gilded Rectangular Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in a market in Europe, this fantastic wooden frame is suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. We just love the look ...
Wood, Paint
$425 / item
H 15.36 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Chalten Large Wood & Alpaca Silver Picture Frame by AIREDELSUR
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Inspired by the trails of the Chalten Mountain, in the south of the Andes mountain range, this family of trays, flower vases, containers and picture frames is born. The mountain hiking...
Metal
Hand Painted Picture Frame by MacKenzie Childs
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice hand painted picture frame by MacKenzie Childs, circa 1990s. The frame is in new unused condition and is for a 4" x 6" photograph; the over...
Wood
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
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
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 Choudrant, 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 Choudrant, 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