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.
Gallo Tea Set "Lombardia Apricot" - Vintage 23 Pieces
Located in Bastogne, BE
This charming vintage tea set from Gallo, featuring the "Lombardia Apricot" pattern, is a delightful addition to any collection or for adding a touch of retro elegance to your tea ti...
Porcelain
Service à café Vallauris en céramique Francaise Côte-d'Azur Circa 1960 (set 9)
By Vallauris
Located in London, England
Ce service à café de Vallauris, en céramique française, évoque le charme de la Côte d'Azur des années 1960. Composé de neuf pièces, il inclut une élégante cafetière de 25 cm de haute...
Ceramic
Quimper Faience Teapot with Breton Woman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Quimper Faience Teapot with the lid. Breton peasant woman in virtually unused condition. Can be parcel posted. More pieces to follow.
Faience
Birks Limoges, Gilt Porcelain Cream/Sugar/Tray, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
BIRKS (Retailer) LIMOGES (Manufacturer) - Vintage hand painted gilt porcelain cream & sugar with tray - Louis XIV style pattern with embossed pattern/design - each piece with Birks b...
Porcelain
$864Sale Price|40% Off
Antique Mauviel Copper Kettle from the TABLE collection, 3.2-Qt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mauviel Copper Kettle from the TABLE collection, 3.2-Qt Antique Mauviel France Copper Tea Kettle. 3.2 quarts Renew the pleasure of tea with this kettle with the elegance of the pas...
Brass, Copper
$148Sale Price|55% Off
Antique Copper Kettle with Unique Handle
Located in Ross, CA
Antique copper kettle made in the 1800s. The lid has a brass handle and the seams on the bottom of the kettle are dovetailed. The kettle itself has an unusual shaped flat top handle.
Copper
19th Century French Faience 8 Piece Hand-Painted Tea Service
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French faience 8 piece hand-painted tea service represents the remarkably unique and definitively French porcelains produced in the fabled region around Rouen! Hand-made...
Faience
$336Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 5.71 in
Karolina Porcelain Coffee Service, Poland, 1950s / 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain coffee set, a rare design of the Karolina set from the mid-twentieth century. The service includes a jug, milk jug, sugar bowl, 6 cups and 6 saucers. One saucer has more...
Porcelain
Alain Maunier 1960s French Ceramic Coffee Set
By Vallauris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible ceramic coffee set made by French ceramic maker Alain Maunier in Vallauris, 1960's. Set includes 1x large coffee pot with lid, 1x sugar bowl with lid, 1x creamer pot witho...
Ceramic
Circa 1930s Vintage White Agate Tea Cup, Saucer and Tray Set - 19 Pieces
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
RARE vintage white agate tray and set of 6 tea cups, saucers, and gold spoons with delicate roses on the end, most likely from the 1930s. Includes 19 pieces...
Agate, Metal, Brass
Antique Japanese Kettle with Iron Tetsubin : Calabash Design 1930s
Located in Paris, FR
This kettle was made in 1930s, Showa era. And the design is with Calabashes. The iron kettles like this item are called 'Tetsubin' in Japan. It can be pu...
Iron
Paris Porcelain Tea Service, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
Comprising 2 pots, creamer (handle restored), covered sugar (finial restored), and 8 cups and saucers.
Porcelain
Limoges Tea Set, Service for 6, Plus 1
Located in Vista, CA
Limoges tea set, service for 6, plus 1. Gold Farmhouse collection, France, perfect condition, 7 cups and saucers, coffee/tea pot, creamer and sugar.
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Faux Bois Tea Set, Vallauris France
Located in London, GB
Complete set of Grandjean-Jourdan’s faux bois tableware. This father and son team of post-WWII regional artists created their hand-painted pottery in the famed town of Vallauris, th...
Ceramic
$1,592Sale Price / set|20% Off
Raynaud Limoges 23-Piece Porcelain Tea & Coffee Service with Gold Trim
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This 23-piece tea and coffee service by Raynaud & Cie embodies the elegance and artistry for which Limoges porcelain is renowned. Each piece is crafted from fine, translucent porcela...
Porcelain
$721 / set
Limoges coffee service
By Limoges
Located in MADRID, ES
Hand painted coffee set by Limonges. Composed of; 1 bowl, 7 small bowls, teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug and 14 cups with plates.
Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
$1,441 / set
H 7.68 in W 9.06 in D 5.91 in
Art Nouveau Tea Set Limoges Porcelain French A. Lanternier Floral Decor 15 Pcs
By Dresden Porcelain, Limoges, Limoges Elite Porcelain 1, A. Lanternier & Co. Limoges
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Limoges porcelain tea set. Style and period: Art Nouveau, Antique Design: Alfred Lanternier Limoges Porcelain Origin: France, Late 19th century begin 20th century Fine Limoges...
Porcelain
Japanese Porcelain, Satsuma Tea Set, 23 Pieces
Located in Milano, IT
...
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Country Brass Teapot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th century brass teapot. By unknown manufacturer, France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials:...
Brass
Sold
H 2.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Antique French Limoges Gold Trim Demitasse Tea Coffee Cup & Saucer 5"
By Limoges
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Limoges demitasse teacup and saucer featuring gold trim. Made in France. Dimensions: 4.75” x 2.75” (Diameter x Height)
Porcelain
19th Century French Brass Kettle
Located in High Point, NC
This elegant antique kettle makes a delightful addition to a kitchen. Made in France in the 1800s, the shape of the tall handle indicates that this piece would have originally been h...
Brass
19th Century French Brass Kettle
Located in High Point, NC
This elegant antique kettle makes a delightful addition to a kitchen. Made in France in the 1800s, the shape of the tall handle indicates that this piece would have originally been h...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Country Ceramic Teapot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century Ceramic teapot. By unknown manufacturer, France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material...
Ceramic
4 Antique French Pouyat Limoges Ivory Gold Demitasse Tea Coffee Cups Saucers
By Jean Pouyat
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique eight piece set of Jean Pouyat demitasse tea / coffee / chocolate limoges china featuring an ivory, gold and black pattern. Paris France. sauce...
Porcelain
Henriot Quimper Faience Three Piece Coffee Pot Tea Set
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 3 piece set which includes coffee/tea pot with sugar & creamer. Measures: Creamer is 5 H x 4.5 W x 3 D Sugar bowl with lid is 6 H x 5.5 W x 3.5 D Teapot is 10.5 H x 8 W x ...
Faience
Sold
H 4.25 in W 6.25 in D 5 in
Christian Dior Provence Collection Porcelain Sugar Bowl and Creamer, Set of 2
Located in Plainview, NY
A Christian Dior Provence collection set of two porcelain pieces, a sugar bowl and a creamer. Both Christian Dior dishes feature exquisite floral design on...
Porcelain
1960s Ceramic Decorations by Valloris, Set of Four
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four ceramic decorations by Valloris, produced in France circa 1960. A set of three mugs on a deep plate, glazed in matte black covered wit...
Ceramic
19th Century Creamware Coffee Cans and Saucers
By Lebeuf Milliet & Cie Creil Montereau
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of five 19th century French creamware coffee cups and saucers, by Creil Montreau.
Creamware
19th Century Creamware Tea Cups and Saucers
By Lebeuf Milliet & Cie Creil Montereau
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of eight 19th century French creamware teacups and saucers, by Creil Montreau.
Creamware
Set of French Coffee Cups and Saucers from La Maison Raynaud, Limoges
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Set of French coffee cups and saucers from la Maison Raynaud, Limoges White with pink stripes, a truly lovely set. Set includes: Measures: Cups (6...
Porcelain