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French Provincial Knife Boxes

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
Set of 4 Stainless Steel Serving Utensils with Stag Handle, Game & Salad Service
Set of 4 Stainless Steel Serving Utensils with Stag Handle, Game & Salad Service

Set of 4 Stainless Steel Serving Utensils with Stag Handle, Game & Salad Service

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Set of Four Stainless Steel Serving Utensils with Stag Handle, Game & Salad Service This set of four stainless steel serving utensils, designed for meat, game, or salad service, is ...

Category

1970s French Vintage French Provincial Knife Boxes

Materials

Metal

Set of 10 French Faux Bamboo Forks, Fondue and Cheese Forks, 1970s
Set of 10 French Faux Bamboo Forks, Fondue and Cheese Forks, 1970s

Set of 10 French Faux Bamboo Forks, Fondue and Cheese Forks, 1970s

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Set of 10 French Faux Bamboo Forks, Fondue and Cheese Forks, 1970s Description: This charming set of 10 vintage French forks, crafted in the 1970s, beauti...

Category

1970s French Vintage French Provincial Knife Boxes

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Cutlery France 1970 Knifes Flatware 12 Pieces in Faux Bamboo
Cutlery France 1970 Knifes Flatware 12 Pieces in Faux Bamboo

Cutlery France 1970 Knifes Flatware 12 Pieces in Faux Bamboo

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

This Knifes service set is made up of faux bamboo. It is a service created France. It coud have never been used Brown color.

Category

1970s French Vintage French Provincial Knife Boxes

Materials

Faux Bamboo

French Wood and Steel Bread Knife on a wood plate brown Color 20th Century
French Wood and Steel Bread Knife on a wood plate brown Color 20th Century

French Wood and Steel Bread Knife on a wood plate brown Color 20th Century

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

A Bread Knife on a Patinated wood plate, in a brown Color.The knife is in Steel Made in France during the 20 th Century.

Category

20th Century French French Provincial Knife Boxes

Materials

Stainless Steel

Old Nutcracker, Old Patina, Bronze and Wood, 19th Century, Guilt, Brown, France
Old Nutcracker, Old Patina, Bronze and Wood, 19th Century, Guilt, Brown, France

Old Nutcracker, Old Patina, Bronze and Wood, 19th Century, Guilt, Brown, France

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

This Nutcracker is very old. It has been made in France in the 19th century. We can benefit of the beautiful Patina, of the wood and of the Bronze. Thee colors are Brown and gold.

Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Knife Boxes

Materials

Brass

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French Provincial knife boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial knife boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage knife boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bamboo and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial knife boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 knife boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $277 and tops out at $499 while the average work can sell for $499.