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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
Returnable Items Only
20th Century Chinese Cloisonne French Style Enamel Mantel Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
20th century Chinese Cloisonne French style enamel mantel (fireplace) clock. Item includes cloisonne enamel case, brass frame, battery ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

French Horloge de Parquet or Tall Case Clock
By Avenol Pere
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Horloge de Parquet or tall case clock from Brittany. Elegant solid cherry case in two parts, with book matched panels and a ch...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Fariniere or Decorative Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An exquisitely carved Fariniere or flour box from Provence. Decorated with carved fish and flower swags, this fariniere features a lower inset panel w...
Category

1780s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Majolica Onnaing Book Money Bank Box, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica money bank books made by Onnaing. The piece was crafted, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th Majolica Parrot Tobacco Jar Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica tobacco jar with a parrot Onnaing, circa 1880.   
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

French Copper and Iron Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
Charming French Antique copper lantern with metal base. The lantern, without glass, has a wonderful aged patina with some verdigris. Would look great with a large candle in it or cou...
Category

19th Century English Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Copper

Emile Gallé for St. Clement, Dish on Four Feet in Hand Painted Faience, 1870s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Emile Gallé for St. Clement. Dish on four feet in hand painted faience. Decorated with flowers and birds, 1870s. In very good condition. Signed. Measures: 30.5 x 15.5 x 6.5 cm.
Category

1870s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience

French Majolica Flowers Basket With Bird Jean Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica flowers (pansies and daisies) basket with bird signed Jean Massier, circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Majolica Frog Sitting on a Chair Jerome Massier, circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Rare unusual Majolica frog playing guitar sitting on a chair signed Jerome Massier, circa 1910.
Category

1910s French Vintage French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Linen, Giltwood

France Iron Wire Minimalist Vase and Planter Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
France, iron wire Minimalist vase and planter bowl This is a contemporary and Minimalist vase for plants and flower. The insider bowl could contain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

French Blue and Yellow Faience Vase
Located in New York, NY
French blue and yellow faience vase. Moustiers vase in pale blue tin glaze with blue and yellow flowers, France, 19th century. Dimensions: 3" diameter ...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience

18th Century Iron Pestle and Mortar
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An 18th century iron pestle and mortar. Exceptional weight.
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

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

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

French Majolica Palissy Monkey Vase, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Palissy monkey vase, circa 1880. Dressed monkey with a bottle sitting on a basket.
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Clog with Flowers Edouard Gilles, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica clog with pink flowers signed Edouard Gilles, circa 1880.
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Normandy
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent signed Filmont, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

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 Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
A fine quality three-piece French gilt red marble and bronze clock set comprising two three branch candelabra and a mantel clock. The clock has a whi...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Boho Chic 19th Century Decorative Water Spout Handle Jug from Provencal France
Located in London, GB
A very rare antique French glazed terracotta water spout handle jug in original condition .These jugs were used primarily in the South of France. Chips and imperfections help authent...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Faience Rhinoceros, circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
French faience blue and white rhinoceros attributed to Desvres, circa 1910. Minor hairlines on the glaze.
Category

1910s French Vintage French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience

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

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

A pair of cassolettes
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of cassolettes - carved wood and gilt - rare and very decorative
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

2 french provincial primitive wooden footed fruit bowl (privat sale)
Located in Rümmingen, BW
On offer are two French provincial wooden-footed bowls. Their imperfect and rough appearance is typical of objects found in the south of France. These bowls can be used to display f...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Wicker French Champagne Log Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Large Antique Champagne Harvest Basket – P A beautiful hand-made wicker champagne basket from France used to harvest grapes in the champagne region of Reims. The markings on the end...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker, Wood

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 Franc...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Group of Three Early 20th C French Ceramic Confit Jars
Located in Troy, MI
Group of three early 20th C French ceramic confit jars Individual Sizes: #11472 (L2) = 14.5" h x 10" w x 10" d #11283 (Y4) = 12" h x 12" w x 9.75" d #11081 (G6) = 9.25" h x 9.5" w...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th Century
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th century Hand made terracotta confit jar from Provence (1) The bottom half was left unglazed to allow the p...
Category

1890s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th Century
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th century Hand made terracotta confit jar from Provence (3a) The bottom half was left unglazed to allow the ...
Category

1890s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage French Plaster Bust of Voltaire
Located in High Point, NC
A renowned literary figure and French icon, this plaster bust captures the likeness of Voltaire. With layers built up and revealed by time, the time touched appearance reflects a jou...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th Century
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique Confit Pot Jar French Terracotta 19th century Hand made terracotta confit jar from Provence (2) The bottom half was left unglazed to allow the p...
Category

1890s French Antique French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Antique French Monumental Wrought Iron Wall Sconce with Leaves Design, 7 Bulbs
Located in Plainview, NY
A majestic early 20th century wrought iron wall scone finely hand carved and featuring hanging leaves. The sconce holds 7 candelabra bulbs and ...
Category

1920s European Vintage French Provincial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

Small French Faience Jardinière Desvres, circa 1900
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

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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