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.
Limoges French Porcelain Rectangular Gilt Trinket Jewelry Box
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Limoges French trinket Box. As found in France, this piece features hand painted flowers in greens, purple and oranges with gold gilt detai...
Porcelain, Paint
Vintage 4-Piece Longchamp Place Settings with Serving Tray, Set of 6, France
By Longchamps
Located in Soquel, CA
Vintage 4-Piece Longchamp Place Settings with Serving Tray, Set of 6, France This beautifully hand-painted dish set is in good condition. The floral pattern features brightly colore...
Porcelain
Antique White Porcelain Pitcher Francaise La Porcelain French Country
By Dudson Wilcox & Tiel, Societé anonyme francaise
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, antique white porcelain pitcher features delicate gold trim accents and a ornate scalloped handle. Made in France , Stamped underneath " Francaise La Porcelai...
Porcelain
Haviland Oyster Plate designed by Boteler, c. 1880's
Located in Ross, CA
Tiffany blue colored oyster plate made in the late 1870's to 1880's in France by Haviland Limoges. The plate has four wells and one center space for lemon wedges. J.W. Boteler, who ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Footed Demitasse Cup and Saucer Set Moss Rose Pompadour Porcelain 1958
By Rosenthal
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rosenthal Porcelain Footed Demitasse Cup and Saucer Set Moss Rose Pompadour.Rosenthal - Continental China in the lovely Moss Rose Pompadour Pattern on an ivory background with off ce...
Porcelain
French Limoges Bee Square Porcelain Gilt Trinket Jewelry Box
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming French Bee Trinket Box. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted Bee with white and gold gilt detailing. This square piece would certainly be a fantastic addit...
Porcelain, Paint
Vintage 1990s French Aplico Porcelain Serveware Set, 22 Pieces
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large collection of French Aplico serveware. This set includes 22 pieces including 3 large round pasta bowls, one oval serving tray, casserole dishes with lids, egg cups, large ramekins, set of 4 oval baking dishes, scalloped baking dish, scalloped spoon...
Porcelain
Pair of Hand-Painted Limoges Porcelain Rooster Plates Signed H. Arndt
By Limoges
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A charming pair of hand-painted Limoges porcelain cabinet plates by Porcelaine LG, France, each signed by the artist H. Arndt. The complementary compositions depict a colorful rooste...
Porcelain
Antique Limoges Porcelain Plate Collectible Handmade in France 1940s
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Limoges handmade in France collectible decorative plate. Porcelain Limoges plate or dish handmade in France, this collectible plate features a design of gold and brown Autumn...
Porcelain
French 19th Century Set of Four Gien Majolica Leaf Plates
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French set of four majolica salad plates attributed to the famous Gien factory, (late 19th century) decorated in verdant green glaze to enliven the foliate design, known as “Primefleur”. The broad leaves and crosshatched borders of the plates will coordinate beautifully with other cabbageware and lettuce leaf ceramics...
Ceramic, Pottery
$304Sale Price / set|30% Off
Antique French Porcelaine de Paris 3-Pc Vanity Set, Shabby Chic Floral Bathroom
Located in London, England
Beautiful vintage/antique condition. The two perfume/lotion bottles are in excellent shape with their original stoppers. The covered powder jar shows some charming authentic wear/fle...
Porcelain
Set of French Limoge Wine Cheese Porcelain Appetizer Plates
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming set of 13 small canapé plates by Philippe Deshouliers/Limoge. These hors d'oeuvres plates each feature a wine vineyard as well as a fromage cheese pairing. The hand-pai...
Porcelain
Theodore Haviland Gilt Green and Gold Trinket Dish or Saucer - Limoges France
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round gilt porcelain saucer or trinket dish by Theodore Haviland. This beautiful French piece is from Limoges and features turned up edges and a flat bottom. A geometric gilt patte...
Gold
Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Very pretty Limoges porcelain old fashion Victorian style lace up boot shoe shaped trinket box is handmade in France and features a white background with skillfully hand painted clusters of deep pink roses, vining green...
Porcelain
Sewing Theme Limoges France Floral Motif Porcelain Double Thimbles or Needle Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Very pretty, Limoges porcelain double thimble shaped trinket box is handmade with a white background and features pretty multi-colored flowers surrounding each side of the double thi...
Porcelain
French Limoges Square Porcelain Gilt Trinket Jewelry Dish Tray
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small charming Limoges French trinket tray. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted dish in greens and purples with gilt detailing. This ...
Porcelain, Paint
$450 / set
Pair Of French Porcelain Menu Stands
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of French Porcelain Menu Stands. Offered is a lovely pair of French porcelain standing menus, one featuring a man and the other of a woman. Perfect addition to your collection o...
Porcelain
$120Sale Price|20% Off
Theodore Haviland Limoges Punch Cups Pair Porcelain
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a set (pair of two) of antique Theodore Haviland Limoges punch cups or sherbet bowls with a white and gold trim. Dimensions:3.88" diameter x 3" H Please ...
Porcelain
Vintage Pillivuyt France Asia Pacific Porcelain Ashtray Collectible Dish
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Pillivuyt France Asia Pacific Porcelain Ashtray Collectible Dish. Vintage collector porcelain ashtray by Laufen Pillivuyt, France. Fre...
Porcelain
$2,286Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Painted Sèvres Porcelain Biscuit Jar with Marking
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Milano, IT
Immerse yourself in timeless art with this exceptional biscuit jar made of exquisite Sèvres porcelain. The Sèvres mark on the base confirms its authenticity and origin from one of th...
Porcelain
19th Century French Pair Faux Bois Porcelain Hunt Trophy
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century French Pair Faux Bois Porcelain Hunt Trophy Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message ...
Porcelain
$89 / set
H 2.63 in W 4.25 in D 3.63 in
3 Piece Place Setting Coffee Cup, Saucer, Plate Hutschenreuther Blue Onion
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful setting of three china porcelain Hutschenreuther Blue Onion pieces, made in Germany, in the 1960s. All items are in very good co...
Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Demitasse Cup and Saucer, Corolle Pattern, 1958-1967
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare vintage demitasse cup and saucer set is decorated in Corolle pattern with abstract geometric designs and flower garlands in ...
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Limoges Porcelain Floral Oyster Plate
By Limoges
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French Limoges porcelain oyster plate, circa 1880. Marked "H & Co" on reverse - made by Haviland & Co in Limoges, France. This fine quality oyster plate has floral...
Porcelain
French Richly Decorated Centrepiece or Vase in White Porcelain
Located in Sofia, BG
Beautiful asymmetric porcelain centrepiece decorated with cupids and swan heads at both sides raised on a single oval platform.
Porcelain
Serving Oval Dish With Golden Border Gilding from Meissen
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique Oval Deep Dish from Meissen Meissen creates simple but impeccably elegant collections that fit perfectly into absolutely any interior, whether it is a strict classic or eleg...
Porcelain
Danish Vintage Teak Serving Trays 1960s Set of 4
Danish vintage teak serving trays 1960s set of 4. Danish Mid-Century Modern teak trays. This set consists of: A large oval tray by Silva, ...
Glass, Teak
Royal Bayreuth Porcelain Figurine Registered "MOUSE PITCHER"
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Royal Bayreuth Mouse Pitcher is glazed in soft grays with sparkling red eyes. This piece is extremely rare. The size being 8.5 inches high when normally this mouse is 6 inches. The bottom is marked: "Registered." The Royal Bayreuth factory has been the world's unparalleled leader in the production of porcelain for over 200 years, As the oldest Bavarian china firm under private ownership, the factory still stands like a fortress on a hill in the little village of Tettau. It was founded in 1794 in the Thuringian Hills, adjacent to what at one time was known as the East German border. Though delicate to the touch, it's durability makes it last for hundreds of years. The porcelain factory has survived a number of troublesome events, including the Napoleonic-Franco Prussian turmoil, two World Wars, numerous changes in management and ownership, and the great fire of 1897 which destroyed a number of important records and molds. The factory had its roots planted in 1792, when the famous, naturalist and botanist, Alexander von Humboldt, also an expert German geologist, was appointed by the king to research a possible factory site. The king desired a porcelain factory in the Thuringia province, and commanded von Humboldt to find the ideal location and personnel. After a lengthy study, von Humboldt reported to the king that Tettau should be the site of the factory and recommended that Johann Schmidt and Wilhelm Grenier be awarded the permit. By 1794, the factor was open for business. Anytime you see the Royal Bayreuth logo, you will see 1794 as the official date of commencement operations. Dinnerware, dining accessories, coffee and tea sets have been the company's main product line through the years. Just as fascinating are the wide number of collector items that the factory has produced. Included among these are many interesting pieces such as: figurals, rose tapestry...
Porcelain, Paint
$1,800 / set
H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in
Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware ~ Set of 8 Place Settings
Located in New York, NY
A set of 8 (eight) place settings in the Spectator black pattern by Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Porcelain. Signed, circa 1995-1996. This pattern is currently out of production. ...
Porcelain
$720 / set
H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in
Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware, Set of 4 Place Settings
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
A set of four (4) place settings in the Spectator Black pattern by Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Porcelain. Signed, 1995-1996. White with black wide stripe border and silver trim. ...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Pink Dessert Service
Located in Lantau, HK
Set of twelve Paris porcelain lavishly decorated dishes with flowers from the early to mid-19th century, circa 1840. The artist Jean-Pierre Feuillet (1777-1840) was one of the best ...
Porcelain
Set of Two Limoges France Oyster Plate French Vintage Porcelain
By Limoges
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of 2 vintage French oyster plates. Each oyster plate features 6 wells for oysters. They are marked at the back. Nice addition to you...
Porcelain
$788 / item
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
Country Porcelain Pastry Dish Easter Design Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large oval shaped completely handmade porcelain dish. The dish is hands-free painted with a lovely Easter decor with bunnies in black and white with colored eggs in country style. Ri...
Porcelain
Set 5 Vintage French Lion Head Bowls, Pillivuyt France
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of 5 vintage French lion head double handled soupière or soup bowls found in a French market. Pillivuyt French porcelain is best describ...
Porcelain
Limoges French Bee Porcelain Gilt Trinket Jewelry Box
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Limoges French Bee Trinket Box. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted Bee with white and gold gilt detailing. This piece would certainly be a fantastic addi...
Porcelain, Paint
Pair of Vintage French Ceramic Glazed Escargot Dishes Plates
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful vintage French escargot snail baking dishes found in a French market. These are designed with the indentations to hold snails cooked in their shells. Wonderful to use but a...
Ceramic
French Limoges Porcelain Shell Gilt Trinket Jewelry Dish Tray
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Limoges French Shell Trinket Tray. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted dish with gilt detailing. This piece would certainly be a fantastic addition to an ...
Porcelain, Paint
French Limoges Porcelain Shell Gilt Trinket Jewelry Dish Tray
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Limoges French Shell with Bird Trinket Tray. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted dish with gilt detailing. This piece would certainly be a fantastic addit...
Porcelain, Paint
Limoges French Bee Porcelain Gilt Trinket Jewelry Tray
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Limoges French Bee Trinket Tray. As found in France, this piece features a hand painted Bee with gilt detailing. This piece would certainly be a fantastic addition to an exi...
Porcelain, Paint
Raynaud Limoges France Porcelain Set Histoire Naturelle Design by Pamela Baldwin
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
"Histoire Naturelle" by Raynaud Limoges France Porcelaine set of 5 dishes.Five-piece place setting includes 1 dinner plate, 1 salad plate, 1 bread/butter plate, 1 teacup, and 1 sauce...
Porcelain
French Gien Lafayette Set of 6 Red Plates by Pierre Deux
By Gien, Pierre Deux
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of 6 Transferware Lafayette Plates from Gien for Pierre Deux, France These charming plates from Gien feature red leaves on a white background. Could be used as salad, bread or d...
Porcelain
Pierre Patrick Frey Gien Porcelain Flowers 6 Luncheon Salad Plate
Located in Valladolid, ES
Pierre Patrick Frey Gien Porcelain flowers 6 Luncheon Salad Plate Fine Chinoiserie French Gien porcelain from the lux atelier Pierre or Patrick F...
Porcelain
Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Circular Shaped Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautiful Limoges porcelain circular shaped trinket box is handmade with a peach and white background and is skillfully hand painted with a floral and leaf motif and richly accented ...
Porcelain
Vintage 5-Piece Longchamp Tulip Place Setting, Set of 12, France
By Longchamps
Located in Soquel, CA
Vintage 5-Piece Longchamp Tulip Place Setting, Set of 12, France This beautifully hand-painted dish set is a rare find with all twelve 5-piece settings in good condition. The tulip ...
Porcelain
French Limoges Porcelain Oyster Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A good porcelain oyster plate from Limoges with pale blue and yellow color surrounded by gold leaf. In great condition with no chips nor hairline noted....
Ceramic