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.
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
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
$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 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
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
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 Small
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. 12"H x ...
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
19th Century French Hand Blown Glass Demijohn Bottle with Wicker
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
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
Mid Century Vintage Artistic Glass Vase, Europe, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vintage VASE Author: Decorative Glassworks "Makora", Krosno Year of creation: 2nd half 20th century Information: laminated glass, hand-formed, mass decoration with a crack motif. ...
Glass, Murano Glass
$1,039Sale 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
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
$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
Very Fine & Rare Early 19th Century Waterloo Glass Company Glass Decanter
By The Waterloo Glass Company
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The blown & moulded Prussian form body showing a base with vertical cut flutes, rising to shoulders decorated with wheel cut vesica motifs, ribbon swags & basal flutes, the neck with...
Glass, Cut Glass
$658 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 1.66 in
Set of Six German Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Green with Hunting Scene
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses. Handblown crystal in green. Hand-edged with a decor of deer and leaves decor in the style of black forest. Handmade by So...
Crystal
Glass Garden Cloches
Located in New York, NY
A set of four mini glass cloches. Ideal table top or bookshelf size. French midcentury. Wear consistent with age and use. Multiple sets available.
Glass
Set of 4 Vintage Luminarc Roemer Wine Glasses France
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage set of 4 Luminarc Roemer wine glasses, small glasses with a green ribbed base. They hold just under 150ml, marked "France" on the bottom, 197...
Glass
$1,976 / set
H 6.7 in Dm 3.55 in
Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown wine glasses in red crystal with a hand-edged black forest hunting scene all-around. The decor is an antique hunting scene from Bavaria showing deers, trees and...
Crystal
$164Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
Set of 6 Vintage Luminarc Vins Moselle Wine Glasses Green
By Luminarc
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage set of 6 Luminarc Alsace wine glasses with the inscription 'Vins Moselle' on the foot, large glasses with a narrow dark green foot, they have a capacity of just over 150ml, m...
Glass
Midcentury Vintage Yellow Small Vase, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vintage glass in very good condition. The vase looks like it has just been taken out of the box. No jags, defects etc. Only one unique piece.
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
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
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
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