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French Provincial Game Boards

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
Antique Style Wooden Chess Board
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Featuring our hand-painted lightly distressed Brown suede and Forofino white painted finish. The...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian French Provincial Game Boards

Materials

Wood

Black and White Chess Board with Storage
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Featuring a hand-painted lightly distressed black and white harvest painted finish. The chessboa...
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian French Provincial Game Boards

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Green and White Customizable Chess Board
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Shown in our hand-painted lightly distressed Vintage Willow Green and harvest white finish. The...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian French Provincial Game Boards

Materials

Wood

Black and White Chess Board
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Featuring a hand-painted lightly distressed black and white harvest painted finish. The chessboa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian French Provincial Game Boards

Materials

Wood

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French Provincial game boards for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial game boards for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage game boards created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial game boards made in a specific country, there are Asia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia 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 game boards differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $775 and tops out at $837 while the average work can sell for $775.

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