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French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

FRENCH PROVINCIAL STYLE

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.

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Style: French Provincial
Set of 11 Brass and Copper Pétanque French Boules or Italian Bocce Balls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A game in which the objective is to throw or roll heavy balls (called boules in France, and "bocce" in Italy) as close as possible to a small target ball. Early 1900s, great accents,...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

Set of 11 Brass and Copper Pétanque French Boules or Italian Bocce Balls
Set of 11 Brass and Copper Pétanque French Boules or Italian Bocce Balls

Set of 11 Brass and Copper Pétanque French Boules or Italian Bocce Balls

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Antique French Cast Iron Scale

Antique French Cast Iron Scale

19th Century French Provincial Carved Artists Model
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century French Provincial Carved Artists Model . Made of Beech with a rich color and deep patination. Articulated joints and mounted on a cust...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Beech

19th Century French Provincial Carved Artists Model
19th Century French Provincial Carved Artists Model

19th Century French Provincial Carved Artists Model

Related Items
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cast iron flatback panel originally from a balcony rail in France. Dating to the mid-late 19th century, these decorative objects were used as building or garden elements. Heavy, weighing about 25 pounds, and aged with a beautiful patina, the panel shows a robed figure within an ornate scrolled frame. Imagine it as a piece of outdoor sculpture, used as a fireback, turned into a table base, or framed in a garden gate. Measures: 26.5 inches H x 15.5 inches W x 1.25 inches deep. In very good antique condition with the desired rusted patina.
Category

1850s French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel

French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel

H 26.5 in W 15.5 in D 1.25 in
French Painted Wood 19th Century Mannequin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French painted wood 19th Century mannequin. Lovely hand painted details and eyes. Very rare display item.
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Wood

French Painted Wood 19th Century Mannequin
French Painted Wood 19th Century Mannequin

French Painted Wood 19th Century Mannequin

H 36 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 19th century, parabolic reflectors such as these were employed in scientific experiments to study the behavior of light, heat, and sound. These brass parabolic mirrors, when p...
Category

19th Century American Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors

Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors

H 35.75 in W 16 in D 12 in
Monumental Pair of Polished Brass Faux Tusks
Located in Hanover, MA
***AUTUMN SALE*** Amazing pair of life-sized polished cast solid brass faux elephant tusks mounted to tiered round brass stands, attributed to Suzanne Dahl and Jerry Barich from the...
Category

1980s American Vintage French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Monumental Pair of Polished Brass Faux Tusks
Monumental Pair of Polished Brass Faux Tusks

Monumental Pair of Polished Brass Faux Tusks

H 68.5 in W 23.5 in D 16.5 in
Set of 19th Century French Pétanque Boules
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful set of 19th century French pétanque boules, comprised of four iron studded balls and one marble cochonnet (jack). The set can be used in pla...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Iron

Set of 19th Century French Pétanque Boules
Set of 19th Century French Pétanque Boules

Set of 19th Century French Pétanque Boules

H 4 in W 4 in D 4 in
French 19th Century Carved Stone Vase
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered carved stone vase with a star, France, circa 1800-1900. Weathered and old repair.
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Stone

French 19th Century Carved Stone Vase
French 19th Century Carved Stone Vase

French 19th Century Carved Stone Vase

H 17.72 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in
Antique 19th-Century French Carved Stone Column
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant antique stone column from the 19th century exhibits expert craftsmanship typical of French artisans of the period. Beautifully carv...
Category

1870s Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Antique 19th-Century French Carved Stone Column
Antique 19th-Century French Carved Stone Column

Antique 19th-Century French Carved Stone Column

H 27.96 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Antique Cast Iron Coat of Arms Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This late 19th century cast iron plaque depicts the coat of arms depicts of the Prince of Wales on Nantglyn war memorial. Dating to circa 1880, this is an impressive decorative piec...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Iron, Metallic Thread

Antique Cast Iron Coat of Arms Plaque
Antique Cast Iron Coat of Arms Plaque

Antique Cast Iron Coat of Arms Plaque

H 13 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Antique Heavy Cast Iron Dachshund Weiner Dog Boot Scraper
By Hubley Manufacturing Company 2
Located in West Chester, PA
An antique heavy cast iron boot scraper in the from of a dachshund dog. Scraper section is 9.25” long
Category

Early 20th Century American French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Antique Heavy Cast Iron Dachshund Weiner Dog Boot Scraper
Antique Heavy Cast Iron Dachshund Weiner Dog Boot Scraper

Antique Heavy Cast Iron Dachshund Weiner Dog Boot Scraper

H 7.625 in W 22.25 in D 6.5 in
French Cast Iron Horse Head Butcher Shop Trade Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand wall mounted sculpture or statue of a French Butcher's Shop trade sign horse head. Constructed from cast iron with a later black painted finish. The horse bust is mounted to a ...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

French Cast Iron Horse Head Butcher Shop Trade Sign
French Cast Iron Horse Head Butcher Shop Trade Sign

French Cast Iron Horse Head Butcher Shop Trade Sign

H 30 in W 14 in D 21 in
Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish
By Hubley Manufacturing Company 2
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This rare antique Hubley cast iron parrot doorstop is a stunning example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully sculpted...
Category

Early 20th Century American French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish
Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish

Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish

H 8 in W 5 in D 2 in
19th Century French White Pony Tricycle
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century French velocipede of a white pony, the horse of polychromed wood with horsehair mane and set upon an iron tricycle. Deaccessioned from the MacLean Collection of Asian...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

19th Century French White Pony Tricycle
19th Century French White Pony Tricycle

19th Century French White Pony Tricycle

H 34.5 in W 23.5 in D 40 in
Previously Available Items
Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Antique French Cast Iron Scale

Antique French Cast Iron Scale

H 16.5 in W 29.9 in D 12.2 in
Antique French Metal Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This vintage scale was produced in France, circa 1900. A household classic from the Roberval brand, the cast iron Force model. Fully functional, the original brass weighing pans have...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Antique French Metal Scale
Antique French Metal Scale

Antique French Metal Scale

H 9.1 in W 19.7 in L 9.1 in
Antique Belgian Bronze Bell
Located in High Point, NC
This antique bell was made in Belgium. A solid rod is attached to two slanted pieces to form an elegantly curved handle, almost echoing the bell’s silhouette. With its rich patina, t...
Category

Early 1900s Belgian Antique French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Belgian Bronze Bell
Antique Belgian Bronze Bell

Antique Belgian Bronze Bell

H 16.1 in W 9.4 in D 9.4 in
1960s Belgian Concrete Windmill Garden Ornament
Located in High Point, NC
This concrete windmill ornament was made in Belgium, circa 1960. It is a delightfully charming piece, with its handcrafted quality and carvings of tiles on the roof and a door at the...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage French Provincial Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Metal

1960s Belgian Concrete Windmill Garden Ornament
1960s Belgian Concrete Windmill Garden Ornament

1960s Belgian Concrete Windmill Garden Ornament

H 39.8 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in

French Provincial mobiles and kinetic sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial mobiles and kinetic sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mobiles and kinetic sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial mobiles and kinetic sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mobiles and kinetic sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $1,900 while the average work can sell for $880.

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