French Provincial Decorative Objects
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
Grande Maison HB Quimper French Faïence Breton Figural Knife Rests, Set of Eight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A scarce set of eight Porte Couteau, or knife rests, each signed HB Quimper, Grande Maison, de la Hubaudière or the HB factory. “H” for Hubaudière, the f...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
19th Century French Miniature Coffer Marquetry
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century miniature French coffer, or small hinged box, made of solid walnut with marquetry inlay. Original decorative bronze hardware and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Normandy
By Bavent
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
18th Century French Decorative Hand Carved Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Provencal fariniere beautifully carved and constructed. A sliding front panel features two carved fish. The box is dovetailed with a false bottom drawer. Lovel...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
Continental Wire Basket
Located in New York, NY
Antique continental wire basket with turned wood handles, Europe, late 19th century.
Dimensions: 19"W x 15" D x 12" H to handles; 7" H to top of basket.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
19th Century Majolica Rooster Massier Jardiniere
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely colorful Majolica rooster jardiniere laying on a pink and brown wall attributed to Jerome Massier, circa 1890.
Reference / Page 98 " Barbotine...
Category
1890s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Rare Late 18th Century French Hand-Carved Angel Wood Statue Articulated Arms
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare late 18th early 19th-century hand carved wood statue of an Angel with lovely movement and articulated arms
A truly stunn...
Category
18th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of gilt bronze candelabras with Madonna lily, Roses and Chrysanthemums.
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in Washington, DC
A gilt bronze candelabra decorated with Maddona lilies, roses, and chrysanthemums.
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century Pair of Bronze Representing Young Woman by Jean Baffier
Located in Marseille, FR
Bronze and tin dated 1911 by Jean Baffier recognized for his work on the peasantry Berrichonne. This pair of empty pockets (differences in the headdresses...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Morbier Clock
Located in Woodbury, CT
A painted case, enamel dial with brass surround and an elaborately decorated pendulum are the defining characteristics of a Morbier clock. At nearly eigh...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
4 French Provincial Carved Life-Size Horse Heads
Located in New York, NY
4 French Provincial (19th Century) carved pine life-size horse head wall plaques on black painted panel.(PRICED EACH)
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Pair of Louis Philippe French Bronze Candelabra with Snuffers
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of 19th century Louis Philippe French bronze candelabra with snuffers
A tall and impressive pair of 19th century French bronze candelabra, the candelabra are set on triangula...
Category
1880s Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Antique Brass Candelabra Converted into a Table Lamp
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Late 19th century French antique brass candelabra converted into a table lamp.
Three candleholders in brass, nice hammered designs.
Candle h...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
French Sevres Opaline Glass Vase with Handpainted Gold Trim and Flower Motif
Located in Miami, FL
French Sevres Opaline Glass Vase with Handpainted Gold Trim and Flower Motif.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Opaline Glass
Pair of Monumental Figures of a Duke & Duchess
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French (19th Cent) white painted monumental figures of a Duke & Duchess on square bases. (att. to be patron saints of a provincial French town & used in an annual parade)
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair of Blue and Gold Vases
Located in Washington, DC
These are an exceptional pair of large blue and gold high glazed ceramic vases.
The detail in gold has really superb quality peacocks surrounded with leaves.
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
french provincial primitive wooden footed fruit bowl
Located in Rümmingen, BW
On offer is this lovely French provincial wooden footed bowl.
Its imperfect and rough appearance is typical for objects found in the south of France. This bowl can be used to displa...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
French Scalloped Porcelain Floral Faience Birds Jardiniere Planter Cachepot 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
French Desvres style porcelain planter / jardiniere / cachepot / compote / footed centerpiece bowl - oval form with scalloped, gilded edge, tapering to a flared base. Hand painted wi...
Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage French Concrete Urns, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
Weathered by exposure outdoors, this pair of antique urns, created in 20th century France, are brimming with unique character. A sharp geometry, artfully shaped, creates an eye-pleas...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
French Majolica Triple Vase Vase Jerome Massier Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Triple Vase Vase Jerome Massier Circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Pair of carved wooden columns / wine press screws, French objects
Located in Zandhoven, BE
This pair of wine screws is hard to find and extremely decorative
The carved wood by hand in the 19th century is amazing.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Painted Chateau Grape Hod Wine Bucket
Located in Bradenton, FL
Wonderful late 19th/early 20th century grape hod wine bucket. Bucket has hand painted French designed artwork with the words "Chateau", "Malescot Exupery", "Margaux". Grape Hops were...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Maitland Smith Porcelain Brass Bronze Pedestal Fruit Bowl Jardiniere Centerpiece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Porcelain Brass Bronze Pedestal Fruit Bowl Jardiniere Centerpiece. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 15" Diameter.
Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Style Oxblood Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Handled Vase Leaves Foliate Ormolu
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century oxblood red porcelain vase with gilt bronze base, rim, and double handles in the manner of French inspired vase. Features swirl...
Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Terracotta Amphora Olive Jar
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th Century French Terracotta Amphora olive jar.
French provincial double handle amphora vessel with green glaze from the 19th century. The terracotta jug features a green glazed...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Small French Faience Jardinière Desvres, circa 1900
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
Small French faience jardinière with floral pattern Desvres, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Faience, Ceramic
Large French Biot Jar with Yellow Glazed Rim
Located in Houston, TX
Large French Biot jar with yellow glazed rim. Stamped. circa 1930-1959.
Category
1930s French Vintage French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Midcentury French Vallarius Provincial Marine Blue Ceramic Vase, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury French Provincial marine blue ceramic vase. The bulbous shape adorned with a terracotta stripe through the center and white flowers. Provenance from the French commune of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
19th C French Tall Case Morbier Clock or Comtoise Signed B. Bignon à la Martigné
Located in Milford, NH
A fine faux bois grain painted pine case comtoise or morbier tall clock of a grand scale with porcelain enameled clock face with Roman numeral dial and calendar, signed by the clockm...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
French Provincial decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Limoges, Bavent, Fives-Lille, and Alfred Corneau. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $51 and tops out at $125,000 while the average work can sell for $778.
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