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.
Late 19th Century French Rustic Oil Painted Wooden Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
An oil painting on a wooden plate featuring a rustic barn scene. It features a rooster, several hens, and a chick, with a rustic barn backdrop. The artist's signature "Wm Revill" is...
Other
19th Century French Vineyard Grape Hod From Chateau Suau, Barsac
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century French Vineyard Grape Hod From Chateau Suau, Barsac A French Grape Pickers’s Hod from the Gironde Region in the South West of France, this galvanised hod would have bee...
Metal
Antique Terra Cotta Chalk-Painted Statue, Art Nouveau Period
Located in Dallas, TX
"Le Provencal Garcon" Terra cotta painted statue is a whimsical depiction of a well-dressed young lad who is obviously amused. The method used to embellish it was "chalk painting"...
Terracotta
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Bronze & Marble Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of antique French gilt bronze & marble figural nude candelabras. A neoclassical nude maiden atop a white marble column base.
Marble, Bronze
French Clamecy Earthenware Pharmacy Jar Faïence Pharmacy Jar
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Clamecy Earthenware Pharmacy Jar This Faïence Pharmacy Jar is decorated mainly in dark red and pink, Bol Armen is the inscription on the front A ...
Ceramic
$2,059
Superb Satinwood Planter
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Very good Victorian satinwood and ormolu mounted planter, with original zinc liner, in excellent overall condition. 33" high 27" wide 19" depth You are welcome to view this item at ...
Satinwood
$1,764
Box Birds
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with bluish, green and white polychrome enamels. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential element of the boudoir....
Ceramic, Wood
Large 19th Century French Wooden Clock Face
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large and heavy 19th Century French wooden clock face. With a mechanism on the box, which could be mechanised. NB. currently for decorative use only.
Wood
Late 19th Century French Dome-Top Burled Amboyna and Ebony Box with Original Key
Located in Middleburg, VA
An elegant late 19th-century French dome-top box, made circa 1900 and constructed from beautifully burled amboyna wood. Renowned for its striking grain and warm, glowing patina, the ...
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Hand Painted Faience Vase Signed Henriot Quimper
Located in Beirut, LB
This beautiful faience piece features colorful hand painted decor. The painted elements include a framer dressed in traditional, historically accurate clothing with floral decor . T...
Faience
Two 19th Century French Provincial Turned Beech Wood Candlesticks
Located in Middleburg, VA
A charming pair of 19th-century French Provincial candlesticks, turned from solid beech wood with a beautifully weathered whitewashed finish. Crafted in France circa 1860, these rust...
Beech
Robert Picault (1919–2000) Chamberstick, Vallauris, France, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Delightful hand-thrown ceramic chamberstick by Robert Picault, featuring his signature turquoise, brown, and white palette. The circular base and loop handle are decorated with Picau...
Ceramic
Carved Stone Statue of Saint Anne and Child Mary
Located in Vista, CA
Carved stone statue of Saint Anne and child Mary.
Stone
Saint Nicholas of Bari Handcarved Sculpture with Gold Leaf, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French carving depicting Saint Nicholas of Bari. It is handcrafted in carved wood and polychromed in gold leaf. France, 19th century.
Wood
Pair of Louis Philippe French Bronze Candelabra with Snuffers
Located in Godshill, 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...
Bronze
French Bronze Mandolin Player by Paul Mengin Art Nouveau Maiden Figurine 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French antique bronze figurine Shows a young female mandolin player in rest mode Superb casting, look at details li...
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Auguste Louis Lalouette Bronze Sculptures of Children, Antique, 1880
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful figures made in bronze that represent a couple of children, in what looks like a country scene. The proportions and details that define the figures is impressive.
Bronze
$6,198 / set
Pair French Bronze Cherub Candelabras Clodion
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of antique French cherub candelabras After Clodion, they are over two feet tall and cast from bronze and ormolu Class...
Bronze
Antique French Porcelain Flower Vase w/ Brass Candelabra
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Porcelain Flower Vase w/ Brass Candelabra Combine your candelabra and flower vase into one elegant piece. The central vase...
Brass
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
Hand Carved Bronze Sculpture "Playing Boy", France, 20th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Sculpture of a boy playing, made of solid hand-carved bronze with a black patina and a circular green marble base. France, 20th century.
Marble, Bronze
$850 / set
Vintage Boho Wrought Iron Urns - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your shelf, mantel, or garden vignette with this charming pair of vintage Boho-style wrought iron urns. Crafted with timeless classical lines and adorned with a raised vine m...
Wrought Iron
Parisian Marble Vase Small
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Parisian Stone Vase sourced by Martyn Lawrence Bullard from Paris, France Suitable for outdoor use
Marble
$19,500 / set
Late 19th Century French Griotte Marble Urns, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of French ormolu bronze-mounted rouge Griotte marble urns with bronze mask handles, leaves with a flame finial top.
Griotte Marble
Large Clay Bust of a Child by Philippe Seené, set on Bronze
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Clay Bust of a Child by Philippe Seené, set on Bronze This is an Exquisite Life size signed bust of a cherubic child, the bust is made in clay and is set into a bronze plin...
Clay
Large French Copper Candlestick with Bold Geometric Details
Located in Middleburg, VA
A superb example of late 18th-century French provincial metalwork! This large copper candlestick exudes sculptural presence and timeworn beauty. Hand-forged in Provence around 1780, ...
Metal, Copper, Tin
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...
Bronze, Tin
A Pair of 19th Century Brass Candle Sticks with Dancing Cherubs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of 19th Century Brass Candle Sticks with Dancing Cherubs The Candle sticks are decorative and are decorated with dancing cherubs, one has a tambourine The Candle sticks a...
Brass
French Provincial Giltwood Plinth, Late 19th Century, Colorful Design
Located in High Point, NC
A small pedestal, finely patterned in red, yellow, and brown from France, late 19th Century. A tiled and geometric top lain over meticulously carved cross hatching and scroll pattern...
Giltwood
French Provincial 19th Century Distressed Green Glazed Pottery Jug with Spout
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French provincial green glazed pottery jug from the 19th century, with double handles, front spout and unfinished base. Created in France during the 19th century, this jug features a green glazed body showcasing a nicely distressed patina. Accented with a large double handle with front spout, this 19th century French provincial green glazed jug...
Pottery