French Provincial Folk Art
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
19th Century, French Folk Art Copper Rooster, Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare antique folk art copper rooster with an wonderful vert de gris patine. A real unique find.
France, circa 1800-1850. More photo's available on request
Weathered. me...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Pair of Antique French Carved Pine Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of very decorative Antique French Carved Pine Panels featuring center medallions with musical instruments, sheet music and floral/foliate motifs. Framed with raised moldings and carved leafy scrolls. Likely door insets from an Armoire...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Vintage French Provincial Rattan Handled Basket, 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage rattan picnic basket, 1950s, France.
Mid-Century Modern vintage French Provincial rattan handled shopping basket, made out of woven rattan.
The...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
Signed Andre Vignoles Framed Landscape Farm Painting
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This signed André Vignoles framed landscape farm painting, is depicting a vibrant countryside scene with rich yellow fields, greenery, and distant farmho...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Robert David Gauley Framed Landscape Painting
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Robert David Gauley’s framed landscape painting beautifully captures a serene countryside with a flowing stream and vibrant greenery. The oil on canvas showcases Gauley’s skillful br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique Metal Wire Egg Basket Rustic French Farmhouse Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique French metal wire egg decorative basket, rustic French farmhouse decor with collapsible zigzag lids and two folding handles, loop feet, the basket has...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
19th Century, French Folk Art Copper Rooster, Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare antique folk art copper rooster with an wonderful vert de gris patine. A real unique find.
France, circa 1800-1900. More photo's available on request
Weathered and...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Antique French Woven Wire Basket, circa 1900
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming handcrafted Provincial French woven wire work basket, circa 1900. A well-executed nicely shaped 'pannier' with moveable handles and decorative loop...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wire
Vintage Handmade Round Doilies Fine Crochet White Cream Ivory French
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage handmade doilies fine crochet white cream ivory French lace starched round.
Beautiful hand crochet doilies in great vintage condition, the color is beige, nice floral design,...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Linen
Antique High Back Parlor Chair, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
French antique throne high back parlor chair with original floral upholstery and tacks. Carved wooden frame with scrolling floral motif dated 18...
Category
1870s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Pair Late 19th Century French Decoys/ Cork Coots
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely pair of French folk art decoys. Two Coots made out of cork and with wooden beaks.
On the bottom you can see lead weights to keep them on place on the water.
Very decorative an...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cork
A woven wicker donkey head wall mask – 1970s - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful wall mask made from woven esparto grass, depicting a donkey’s head. This rare piece of folk art from the South of France dates back to the 1970s. Entirely handcrafted, it...
Category
1970s French Vintage French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Fine Traditional French Provincial Dark Stained Armoire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very fine traditional antique French armoire with a useful and hard to come by 12” depth. A carved bonnet over a frieze with carved cross motif. With the Classic shaped and carved burled door panels with patinated metal escutcheons (lacking a key). Five newer custom shelves...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Italian c...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Painted Faux Grain Tole Cutlery Caddy
Located in Houston, TX
Painted faux grain tole cutlery caddy from France circa 1880-1910.
Note: Original/early finish on antique and vintage metal will include some, or all, o...
Category
1870s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Small black French Stone Mortar with stone Pestle
Located in Rümmingen, BW
This small French mortar was sourced in the south of France. It's an iconic and traditional kitchen object which is found all over France. Its traditional use was and still is to gri...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Stone
French Majolica Green Pumpkin Gourd (Decorative Antique Coin Piggy Bank)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Add a touch of French elegance to your collection with this exquisite Majolica green pumpkin gourd coin bank. Crafted in France, this antique decorative piece is both charming and fu...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Majolica
Saint Joan of Arc Statue from a France, Signed Rouillard Angers
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Saint Joan of Arc Statue from a France, Signed Rouillard Angers
We have a Life Size Sculpture of St Joan in full battle dress, this is an amazing...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Plaster
Vintage French Provincial Rattan Lidded Handled Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Modern vintage rattan picnic basket, 1980s, France.
Large Mid-Century Modern vintage French Provincial rattan lidded handled pic...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
Antique Vintage French Country House Private Property Wall Sign
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique French Private Property Sign
A fantastic original sign with “Private Property Do Not Enter” written in French.
It has a great aged patina with some wear to the original blu...
Category
Mid-20th Century English French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cut Steel
Large Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Large colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Ita...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Antique French Dressing Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of primitive Country French Dressing Chairs. Time-softened hardwood frames with curved flat crest rails on the tall shaped slat backs...
Category
19th Century European Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Cane, Hardwood
Audoux Minet Style Oval Wall Mirror Nautical French Provincial Rope & Jute
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Audoux Minet style oval nautical French Provincial Robe & Jute wall mirror.
Superb handmade craftsmanship.
Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Cheese Boards
Located in Houston, TX
Antique cheese boards from France, dating to early 20th century. Heart-shaped handles carved into boards. Two available and sold individually, priced $7...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent signed Filmont, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Stained Glass Christmas Window Panel French Hand Made
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Antique Stained Glass Christmas Window Panel
French Hand Made Antique Stained Glass Christmas Window Panel
This lovely Artisan made piece has been made from 19th century jewel cryst...
Category
1960s Vintage French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Glass
Framed Leonard Wren "French Pastry" Giclée Print
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful giclée (canvas print) artwork signed by Leonard Wren. His artwork was inspired by his many travels and became famous for his beauty of the world through capturing the joy light...
Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
Antique French Flag with Fleur-de-Lis c.1800
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original vintage fabric French flag mounted on a 19th century flag pole topped with a primitive, hand carved fleur-de-lis. Brass grommets.
CREATOR Unknown. Made in Fr...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Quimper French Hand Painted Faience Pottery Flask
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish French faience pottery hand painted flask with a Breton figure by Quimper and dating from the latter 19th century. The small rounded flask has a ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
French Poster by Les Maîtres de l’Affiche Plate 135 circa 1898 Absinthe Mugnier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This is plate 135 from "Les Maitres De L’Affiche" (The Masters of the Poster) series featuring Lucien Lefevre's poster for Absinthe Mungier with a French legionnaire happily raising ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Paper
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Fruitwood French Farmhouse Grain Scoop
Located in New Orleans, LA
Full of character and rich in history, this antique French Provincial fruitwood grain scoop was once simply utilitarian, used to shovel oats into sacks. This fruitwood scoop has a lo...
Category
1830s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Fruitwood
A Carved Alpine Oxen Yoke - French Alps - XIXth century.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A huge carved oxen yoke, dating back to the 19th century, is a beautiful example of Alpine folk craftsmanship. Its intricate carvings and rustic charm make it a truly captivating dec...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique French Provincial Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique French provincial oil Painting.
Scene of the country side with 2 small houses near a river in a forest.
South of France, Province.
Oil...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Finely Proportioned Coconut Goblet in 17th Century Taste
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A finely proportioned coconut goblet in 17th century taste
19th century or earlier.
Turned and polished coconut shell,
swag and drop engraved top f...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Coconut
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Painted Ceramic Donkey
Located in Washington, DC
A painted ceramic donkey from the Normandy Region of France.
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Boule ball hard wood
Located in Diest, BE
French ball from a folk art game. Great patina and form.
Normandy, France ca. 1860
Category
1860s French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
18th Century Oval Carved Wood Framed Bishop Portrait
Located in Ross, CA
Oval carved wood portrait of Casimir-Frédéric de Rathsamhausen-Wibolsheim (1698-1786). Known as Dom Léger, he was a Catholic cardinal at the Abbey of Murbarch in France's Rhine valley...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Bone Inlaid Wall Art in Blue Resin with Celtic Dragon Pattern- Instock
Located in New York City, NY
Feast your eyes on our Bone Inlaid Pattern Wall Art in Blue Resin. This isn't just art; it's a mesmerizing blend of tradition and contemporary design.
Imagine multiple Celtic dragons...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Bone
Hand-Knotted Wool Rug in Apricot and Burnt Red, Vintage-Inspired Floral Design
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
This 6' x 9' hand-knotted rug from Jaipur Rugs features a vibrant apricot and burnt red color palette with a vintage-inspired floral design. Crafted from premium wool, the rug showca...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian French Provincial Folk Art
Materials
Wool
French Provincial folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial folk art 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 folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include J. Filmont Caen, and Quimper Faience Pottery. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $130 and tops out at $15,544 while the average work can sell for $1,200.