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.
$150Sale Price / set|23% Off
50 Mini Christmas Vintage European Ornaments Figurines
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set of 50 mini Christmas European ornaments figurines, made in an old European tradition.
Blown Glass
French 19th Century Heavy Solid Glass Pitcher
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, 19th century handmade glass pitcher from the Normandy region, likely used for cider as Calvados (the apple brandy) is made in the same region. The heavy glass vessel uses an ...
Glass
Large French Vintage Glass Dome Cloche
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A lovely addition indoors or outdoors during a garden party or as kitchen decor, this tall thick glass dome cloche is perfect cover for cheeses or perhaps to cover small desserts on ...
Glass, Blown Glass
Set of 4 Antique Etched Crystal Stemmed Glasses
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of four etched crystal glasses. Each glass is very delicate with a beautiful rectangular pattern around the rim. They would make a fantastic addition to a holiday or special occa...
Crystal
French Vintage 20th Century Large Glass Vase
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage 20th century handmade, emerald green footed vase. The cylindrical “bowl” of the vessel has straight, tall walls–very similar to a cele...
Glass
French 19th Century Large Calvados Decanter with Ball Finial
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming 19th century handmade, blown glass decanter from Basse in lower Normandy where Calvados apples are made into brandy. The stopper is a solid orb of glass fitting the slim n...
Glass
Wine Glasses in Green Gilt Color France circa 1940 Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of Wine Glass, in Green and Gilt color. The Glass is carved with decorations. Good condtion.
Glass
19th Century French Blown Glass Demijohn Bottle
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large 19th century French globular form hand blown green glass Dame Jeanne, or demijohn, bottle encased in two layers of woven wicker and thick braided rope. Layers of different ki...
Rope, Blown Glass
Single French Antique Blown Cylindrical Clear Glass Jar, Ten Available
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single hand-blown pickling/storage jar (ca. early 19th Century, France). Given the hand-blown nature of these vessels, there are disparities in size and clarity. Some show mineral st...
Blown Glass
$145Sale Price|50% Off
Set of 8 French Luminarc Clear Pressed Glass Egg Cups
By Luminarc
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 8 clear pressed glass egg cups made in France by Luminarc -- detailed as chicken hens! Nice large set to serve poached eggs for a big gathering. A...
Glass
Signed French Lalique Glass Container with Figurative Lid
By Lalique
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed French Lalique Glass Container with Figurative Lid. France, c. 1980s.
Glass
$59Sale Price|50% Off
H 5.12 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Violet Purple Glass Vase, 20th Century, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A stunning purple small vase with geometric design, made by one of the many glass manufacturers based in the region of Empoli, Italy. Has "Made in Italy" embossed on the base. Would ...
Glass
French Cut Glass Vase, Hand-Crafted, Mid-Century Modern, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
A fine French cut glass vase, showcasing elegant craftsmanship and timeless style. This piece reflects the tradition of French art glass from the earl...
Glass, Cut Glass
$606Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 1.97 in Dm 1.97 in
Set of 14 Vintage Christmas Glass Ornaments, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Set of unique and original Christmas ornaments. All vintage pieces from Czechoslovakia, prosuced in 1960s. The original box of ornaments was discovered just recently and has not been used for many years. The ornaments are amazing. Made of light glass. There are 9 balls and 5 glass bell ornaments...
Glass
$1,037Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.08 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Large Antique Display Dome, English, Glass, Taxidermy, Showcase, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique display dome. An English, glass taxidermy or collectable showcase, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Of...
Glass, Pine
$666 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 1.66 in
Set of Six Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Amber German with Hunting Scene Sofina
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses handmade in Bavaria. Handblown crystal and hand-edged with a deer and leaves decor in amber in the style of black forest. Co...
Crystal
Zoomorphic Partridge Ewer Blue French Glass Late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Original zoomorphic pitcher ewer in the shape of a partridge. Beautiful item made of silver plate for the head of the partridge nicely chiseled showing the lovely texture of feathers and blown blue glass for the body part, with a handle on the back. Yellow-colored glass eyes. The Head of the partridge is mounted on a hinge forming a movable lid for the pitcher-ewer. This kind of pitcher ewer was mainly used to serve delicious alcohol or liquor with flavor and aroma, such as pear, and mirabelle plum, as it was during the "Belle Epoque" a very fashionable and refined custom. This colored blown glass was produced by the Portieux Crystal factory created in 1705, it has a written mark "Deposé" beneath the body of the ewer, french work from the late 19th century, probably from Napoleon III period. The history of this factory known as the "Portieux crystal factory" actually begins in Tonnoy in 1690. In 1698, Duke Leopold I of Lorraine granted letters patent to Sieur de la Pommeraye, owner of the premises, associated with François Magnien, holder of the know-how, the exclusivity of glass manufacturing and trade in his duchy. In 1898, the Grand Duchess of Vladimir, wife of the brother of Tsar Nicolas II, discovered the factory while on a cure in Contrexéville. She will become a frequent customer. in 1960, the company supplies many prestigious customers: Maxim's, Brasserie Lipp, Hôtel de Crillon, Le Bristol...
Silver Plate
20th Century Italian Murano Glass Vase
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Italian Murano glass vase manufactured in the 1960s.
Glass, Murano Glass
1960’s Glass Christmas Tree Bauble Ornaments
Located in Bradenton, FL
Five hand painted glass Christmas baubles. Handmade and in the original box, circa 1960. The box reads “created by European craftsmen in the old-world tradition, for Commodore Mfg Co...
Glass
$160
H 1.75 in Dm 1.38 in
Vintage Faberge Style Russia Glass Egg with Etched Russian Ornaments Flowers
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Faberge style Russia glass egg with etched Russian ornaments and flowers. Reminiscent of eggs from St. Petersburg. Marked with Label like see...
Cut Glass
$525Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.75 in Dm 4.5 in
LALIQUE - 'Dampierre', Frosted & Clear Crystal Vase, France, 20th Century
By Lalique
Located in Chatham, ON
LALIQUE - 'Dampierre' - Vintage Art Deco style luxury crystal vase designed in 1948 by Marc Lalique (son of Rene Lalique) - striking frosted finish to the central band featuring bird...
Crystal
$160
H 1.75 in Dm 1.25 in
Vintage Faberge Style Russia Glass Egg with Etched Russian Ornaments Flowers
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Faberge style Russia glass egg with etched Russian ornaments and flowers. Reminiscent of eggs from St. Petersburg. Nice addition to your collec...
Cut Glass
$240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4 in W 4 in D 4 in
Vintage Christmas Large Blown Glass Handpainted Christmas Ornaments
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Unique Vintage Christmas European blown glass ornaments. Large 4” glass baubles Handpainted in an old European tradition with Christmas scenes and Santa Claus. In gift box. 11 pcs set
Blown Glass
19th Century French Blown Glass Demijohn Bottle
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French globular form amber demijohn bottle with air bubbles typical of handblown glass. Please refer to photos for more details. Measur...
Blown Glass
Portieux Vallerysthal '6' Wine Goblets Opaline Blue
Located in Mobile, AL
The Opaline glassware of Portieux Vallerysthal is among the most elegant produced. A staple of French and French Provincial decorating styles for ove...
Art Glass
Early 19th Century French Glasses, Set of Six
Located in High Point, NC
This set of early 19th century drinking glasses make an elegant addition to a table. The simple goblet shape, with its deep cup and wide base, serves equally well as a water or a win...
Glass
Vintage French Lalique Crystal Osumi Leaf Bud Vase Frosted Art Glass
By Lalique
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Lalique France Osumi Leaf crystal bottle shaped vase with a border of frosted leaves around the mouth. 12302. Measure: 7".
Crystal
Antique French Seafoam Demijohn / Carboy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French Demijohn / Carboy originally used for transporting wine (ca. late 19th Century, France). Composed of free-blown seafoam glass exhibiting trapped air bubbles within the glass i...
Blown Glass
Antique Mouth Blown Glass Bulbous Demijohn in Emerald Green
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Graceful antique French demijohn / carboy originally used for transporting wine (ca. early 19th Century, France). Composed of mouth blown glass with emerald hue exhibiting trapped ai...
Blown Glass
Tall European French Ice Blue Demijohn / Carboy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French Demijohn / Carboy originally used for transporting wine (1937 Century, Europe). Composed of molded and hand-finished ice-blue glass exhibiting trapped air bubbles within the g...
Glass
Tall Antique French Emerald Green Demijohn / Carboy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French Demijohn / Carboy originally used for transporting wine (ca. late 19th Century, France). Composed of free-blown emerald glass exhibiting trapped air bubbles within the glass i...
Blown Glass
Antique French French Demijohn / Bonbonne Ambrée Brune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive French Demijohn / Bonbonne Ambrée Brune originally used for transporting wine (ca. early 19th Century, France). Composed of free-blown amber glass exhibiting large air bub...
Blown Glass
Turn of the Century French Salt and Pepper Stand
Located in High Point, NC
A metal rack from France with cut glass shakers and dish. An elaborate stand of silver metal supports two glass spice containers with gilded lids and a gl...
Silver, Brass
Antique Hand Blown Green Glass French Wine Demijohn Bonbonne Bottle Jug
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand blown French demijohn or bonbonne. Beautifully shaped and brightly colored green glass bottle with polished pontil bottom. Originally used for storing wine and spirits, ...
Glass
Set of Four Antique French Etched Glasses
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Set of four very beautiful French antique etched glasses Dimensions: Total height 7.5" Glass height 3.5" Foot diameter 3.35" Rim diameter 3".
Glass