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.
Hine Cognac French Ceramic Ashtray
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French green square ceramic ashtray branded Hine Cognac. A central circular tray meets beveled cigarette rests at each corner. Two sides are embossed with the Hine Cognac logo; a r...
Ceramic
Hermès Paris Equestrian Porcelain Ashtray or Vide-Poche Change Tray
By Hermès
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hermès Paris Equestrian Porcelain Ashtray or Vide-Poche, Catchall, Change Tray with Original Box, France A luxurious Hermès Paris porcelain ashtray, expertly crafted in France and d...
Porcelain
Porcelain Dish Catchall "Prix D'Amérique 2001 Fabio Lucci" France
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Collectible sport porcelain ashtray in a rectangular shape featuring design and color of the "Prix d'Amérique 2001" France sponsored by Fabio Lucci. This large collector porcelain ci...
Porcelain
The Bistro Garden In Beverly Hills Porcelain Ashtray Dish Collectible 70s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible dish ashtray from the famous "the Bistro Garden in Beverly Hills" restaurant once located 235 Canon Drive in Beverly Hills California. Circa 1970s. Vintage off wh...
Porcelain
Ceramic Dish Ashtray or Centrepiece in Ceramic 19th Century Malicorne
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Malicorne 19th century ashtray or centrepiece. In the manner Rouen faiences.
Ceramic
Vintage French Ceramic Ashtray Cobalt Blue and Gold Rectangular Shape
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage French Ceramic Ashtray Cobalt Blue and Gold Rectangular Shape. Circa 1960s advertising ceramic blue and gold ceramic ashtray or catchall, vide poche. Marked in gold on blue" ...
Ceramic
Intercontinental Hotel Paris Ashtrays - a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of cream ceramic ashtrays with gilt edge from the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, France. The center is printed with the Intercontinental Hotel logo in gold. Dimensions per a...
Ceramic
Vintage Egyptian Porcelain Ashtray
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern Egyptian-style (1930s) porcelain square ashtray with small gilt handles and classic bust in center (NIPPON).
Ash, Porcelain
$331
H 1.58 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Italian Travertine Ashtray Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Manelli, Italy 70s
By Enzo Mari, Fratelli Manelli
Located in Lucija, SI
Vintage travertine ashtray designed by Enzo Marri for Fratelli Manelli. Made in Italy in the 70s.
Travertine
$520
H 9.25 in W 5.25 in D 1.25 in
Mid Century Catchall Arturo Toscanini in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Porcelain catchall/ashtray by Piero Fornasetti - Milano The 1950s-1960s The large ceramic tray or ashtray depicts the poster of Toscanini' Concert. "This is the poster of the inaugu...
Porcelain
1970s Italian Ceramic Smoking Set: Blue Ashtray & Lighter
Located in Roma, IT
Smoking Set is a decorative object realized in the 1970s. A ceramic blue colored smoking set composed by a lighter and an ashtray. Dimensions: Lighter: h.7.5 x 7 cm Ashtray: h. ...
Ceramic
Vintage 12.5-Inch Cobalt Blue Glass Ashtray from Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage cobalt blue ashtray is an elegant glass decorative object, realized during the 1970s. Vibrant cobalt blue ashtray will help add...
Glass
Vallauris Green Ceramic Ashtray, Hand-Painted, France 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vallauris Green Ceramic Ashtray, Dish France 1950. Small french glazed ceramic dish with abstract design, signed Vallauris to base. Beautiful green glazed ceramic ashtray with colorful abstract design manufactured by Vallauris. This ashtray was handcrafted in France in the 1950's. Hand painted in purple green and yellow glazed ceramic on a dark olive green background. Use it as an ashtray or catchall, useful as jewelry bowl or vide-poche. Signed Vallauris at the bottom. Overall dimensions: 6.5 in x 6 in x 1.75 in height. About Vallauris. Vallauris Golfe Juan is a tourist town of the French Riviera near Antibes known as the "city of 100 potters". Its name (Valauria in Provencal) means "the golden valley...
Ceramic
Jean Boris LACROIX (1902-1984), catchall tray
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Boris Lacroix (1902-1984) was a French designer and architect known for his modernist lighting designs. After apprenticing with Paul Dumas, he debuted at the Salon des Artistes ...
Metal, Nickel
Hermès Paris Porcelain Ashtray
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hermès Paris Porcelain Ashtray An elegant fine porcelain ashtray from Hermès Paris, decorated with a refined equestrian motif, one of the maison's most recognizable emblems. The piec...
Porcelain
Angelo Mangiarotti Ceramic Ashtray
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Brown ceramic ashtray by Angelo Mangiarotti. Nice gift idea!
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Ashtray, Blue & Gold, Safety Pin, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Ashtray, Blue & Gold, Safety Pin, 1960s. Small to medium scale deep ashtray with three cigarette rests. Decorated with a pattern of gold glazed safety ...
Ceramic
$2,570
H 2.64 in Dm 6.42 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large & heavy vintage midcentury Italian Murano glass geode bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Hermes Paris porcelain ashtray
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hermes Paris Porcelain Ashtray Rectangular white porcelain ashtray with gold details on the edges. It features a central design of a horse in harness and gold and black decoration. I...
Porcelain
Vide-Poche or Ashtray Ceramic and Brass by Tommaso Barbi, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round ashtray or vide-poche in granite effect ceramic and brass by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Tommaso Barbi's original label is s...
Metal, Brass
$2,570
H 2.37 in W 6.89 in D 6.11 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, hea...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
A Stunning 20th Century Ceramic Ashtray By Hermès, France
By Hermès
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
This elegant ceramic ashtray by Hermès produced in France during the 20th century, exemplifies the House’s dedication to artistry and refinement. The piece features a graceful organi...
Ceramic
French Porcelain Lion Ashtray Vide-Poche with Gilt Decoration
By Hermès
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Porcelain Lion Ashtray Vide-Poche with Gilt Decoration A charming and finely detailed porcelain ashtray or catchall dish, featuring a regal lion mo...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.75 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Large French Vintage Square White Catchall Advertising Collectible Cigar Ashtray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large French Vintage Square White Catchall Advertising Collectible Cigar Ashtray. Vintage large advertising ashtray that would be perfect for a man cave...
Ceramic
Porcelain Ashtray Limoges Hand-Painted Dish France 1960s
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Limoges Porcelain Ashtray Hand-Painted Dish France 1960s. Vintage Ashtray dish with hand-painted design and writing French text:" Selon L'oiseau le nide, selon La femme le logis". Which translate in english" according to the bird the nest, according to the woman the home". 1960s Limoges France ashtray...
Porcelain
Porcelain Ashtray Dish Belgium Collectible "La Marelle" 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage "La Marelle" Hotel Restaurant, Brussel, Jewellery, Pin Dish, Ashtray, Porcelain De Baudour Belgium. Vintage advertising collectible porcelain dish ashtray vide poche catchall...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.5 in W 7 in D 6.25 in
A. Raynaud Limoges Trinket Dish Ashtray Catchall with Equestrian Design
A. Raynaud Limoges decorative trinket dish with horse and sulky cart driver. A French porcelain jewelry tray catchall or vide-poche dish with center equestrian design. The Piece has ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.75 in W 4.75 in D 3.25 in
Baumann Paris Hotel Collectible Porcelain Dish by Pillivuyt France 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Baumann Hotel Restaurant, Paris, Jewellery, Pin Dish, Ashtray, Pillivuyt Porcelain France. Vintage advertising collectible porcelain dish ashtray vide poche catchall. Art Dec...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.75 in W 4.5 in D 3.25 in
Restaurant La Tour D'Argent Poinct Ne Leurre Dish Porcelain by Longchamp France
By Longchamp
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Restaurant La Tour D'Argent Poinct Ne Leurre Cigarette Ashtray Dish Porcelain.Longchamp France Porcelain Tray, marqued " Restaurant La Tour D'Argent Poinct Ne Leurre, since 1582, 15 Quai de la Tournelle".LA TOUR D' ARGENT Restaurant Ashtray...
Ceramic, Porcelain
René Lalique Frosted Crystal Ashtray or Trinket Dish with Maritime Ship Motif
By René Lalique
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An original René Lalique large round crystal ashtray with an etched Galleon Schooner Ship motif. This piece is signed by the artist and in remarkable condition. It could be used as a...
Crystal
Sold
H 1 in Dm 4.5 in
1960s Porcelain Saint Tropez South of France Collector Travel Ashtray Vide Poche
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Porcelain Saint Tropez South of France Collector Travel Ashtray Vide Poche. Vintage White porcelain "Saint Tropez" ashtray. Vintage travel collec...
Porcelain
Vintage French Limoges Car Design Ashtrays Porcelain Dishes Set of 5
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage French Limoges Car Design Ashtrays Porcelain Dishes Set of 5A set of five French vintage car inspired petite white and gd Limoges porcelai...
Porcelain
Garnier Liqueurs French Cafe Match Striker
Located in Bradenton, FL
A vintage Garnier Liqueurs ceramic match striker and holder. Traditionally used in cafes, bars etc. In excellent condition.
Ceramic
Dubonnet French Ceramic Match Striker
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Parisian café match striker and keeper. Made to advertise Dubonnet and the Grand Prix of 1900. In excellent condition.
Ceramic
Majolica Vide Poches with Cicada Jerome Massier Fils, circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica vide poches or ashtray with cicada signed Jerome Massier Fils, circa 1920. Provencal style.
Ceramic, Faience
Porcelain Royal Monceau Ashtray Vide Poche
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two porcelain Royal Monceau ashtray. Use it as an ashtray, vide poche or decorative collector item. Vintage French ceramic catchall dishes from th...
Porcelain
Pair of Limoges Porcelain Golf Ashtrays, France
Pair of Limoges porcelain ashtrays in hand painted golf decoration, presented in lovely orange boxes.
Porcelain