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.
$412Sale Price|48% Off
French, Late 19th Century early 20th century, Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Really lovely metal lantern in a form I haven't seen before. France, circa 1890-1920. Weathered H:33cm W:19,5cm D:16cm
Iron
Green Verdigris French Copper Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Green verdigris French copper lantern circa 1860-1889. Includes five feet of chain and a canopy, but is sold unwired. Glass replaced.
Copper, Iron
$424Sale Price|48% Off
Rare Antique French Folk Art Lantern, Metal, Circa 1800-1850
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful and very rare folk art lantern, France, circa 1800-1850. Beautiful weathered. Glass is old but to my opinion of later date.
Metal
Antique Italian Glass Paneled Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Antique Italian glass paneled lantern circa 1900-1910. Cast brass with soft, natural green-verdigris patina. Newly wired with 3 drop cluster, chain...
Brass, Iron
$532Sale Price|44% Off
Antique Iron Lantern with Blown Glass, France, Circa 1750-1800
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare iron lantern with an amazing blown glass window, France, circa 1750-1800. Weathered H:37cm W:16cm D:20cm
Iron
$807Sale Price|47% Off
French, 18th/ 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern, France, circa 1750- 1850. Weathered, small losses and some old repairs. Lantern can be opened on one side. Glass of later date. H:40,5cm W:26,5cm D:12cm
Metal
1940's Grape Design Glass Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's glass lantern with grape design and three interior lights
Glass
$5,960 / item
French Country Lantern - Verdigris Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Country Lantern, This hexagonal lantern has a fluted lotus roof, fleur de lis reticulated panel sides, glass sides and door with three li...
Copper
$436Sale Price|54% Off
Large French, 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely large iron lantern, France, circa 1880-1900 . Very special type of lantern without a door. You can open the lantern by sliding the glass upwards. Weathered. H:51cm W:20,5cm
Iron
$388Sale Price|59% Off
French, 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare small folk art lantern, France, circa 1800-1850. Beautiful weathered. measurements: H:23,5/33 cm W:10,5 cm D:11 cm
Metal
Antique Hexagonal Glass Paneled Domed Copper Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Antique hexagonal glass paneled domed copper lantern. Newly wired with 3-light candelabra-size drop cluster, chain and a canopy. Beautiful natural pa...
Copper, Iron
$805Sale Price|54% Off
French, Early 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern, France, circa 1800- 1850. Weathered and some old repairs. Glass of later date.
Metal
$592Sale Price|44% Off
French, 18th/ 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern with lovely wooden handle, France, circa 1750- 1850. Unique period piece Weathered, small losses H:33cm W:16,5cm D:10cm
Metal
$687Sale Price / set|35% Off
Collection of 19th Century French Glass Lanterns
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful collection of 3 very rare glass lanterns. Lyon, France, circa 1900, in good but weathered condition. H:28-30cm W:9cm D:6,5cm
Metal
$2,400 / item
1920's French Small Opaline Glass Light Fixtures
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Opaline glass lanterns with interior light and nickel-plated hardware.
Blown Glass, Opaline Glass
French Iron and Tole Glass-Paneled Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
French iron and tole glass-paneled lantern circa 1870-1899. Unwired. Two lanterns are available but sold individually priced $3,800 each (see last image and...
Brass, Iron, Tin
Small Dainty Brass Pendant Lantern This is a dainty Lantern it has 4 glazed sid
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Small Dainty Brass Pendant Lantern This is a dainty Lantern it has 4 glazed sides The lamp is wired for electricity and ready to hang it will have to be connected to an electrical ...
Brass
Large Giltwood Lantern with 4 Lights, Hand-Carved Reproduction
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large giltwood lantern with 4 lights, hand-carved reproduction.
Giltwood
Wrought Iron and Stained Glass Ceiling Lantern Lamp, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Antique wrought iron and stained glass ceiling lantern lamp Old outdoor lantern lamp with wrought iron ceiling and colored glass. Wrought i...
Metal
Tole, Glass and Iron Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Tole, glass and iron lantern dating to early 20th century, France. Not wired for electricity, but can be wired, or fitted for usage with gas, for an add...
Steel, Iron
Hexagonal Glass Paneled Domed Verdigris Green Copper Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
French hexagonal glass paneled domed verdigris green copper lantern dating to the early 20th century. Newly wired with 3-candelabra drop cluster, cha...
Copper, Iron
$5,960 / item
French Country Lantern - Copper Bronze
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Country Lantern, This hexagonal lantern has a fluted lotus roof, fleur de lis reticulated panel sides, glass sides and door with three li...
Copper
$2,600 / set
Solid Brass Outdoor Lanterns by Phoenix Day Co
By Phoenix Day Co. Inc.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Solid Brass Country French Wall Lanterns suitable for wet or dry location, Beautiful heavily seeded glass panels make for a super charming look. Quality and style. Ready to...
Brass
Fine Hand Forged Eight-Light Iron Lantern with Glass Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine hand forged iron lantern with glass panels. 8-light. France, circa 1940. Dimensions: Height 36" x diameter 14" CW1385.
Iron
$6,400 / set
Large-Scale Pair of French Tole Lanterns
Located in Chireno, TX
Large-scale pair of French tole lanterns. Late 19th century lanterns with glass-paneled sides. Suitable for table tops or can be wall-mounted. Lanterns are not electrified, but can b...
Iron
Tole and Glass French Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Tole and glass French lantern dating to 19th century. Four-sided iron frame, tole top and glass paneled sides. Not wired for electricity, but can be wir...
Iron, Tin
Tole, Glass and Iron Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Tole, glass and iron lantern dating to early 20th century, France. Not wired for electricity, but can be wired, or fitted for usage with gas, for an add...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Hexagonal Glass Paneled Domed Verdigris Green Copper Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
French hexagonal glass paneled domed verdigris green copper lantern dating to the early 20th century. Newly wired for use within the USA, with 3-ligh...
Copper, Iron
$1,435Sale Price|53% Off
French Black Iron Lantern from the 1940s
Located in Salzburg, AT
French lantern out of iron, glass shades circa 1940 Black, conical, hexagonal body with sweeping exterior decoration out of metal straps. 4 glass panes and 1 socket Body dimensions ...
Iron
$16,500 / set
Collection of Forty Petite Processional Lanterns
Located in Chireno, TX
Collection of forty petite processional lanterns, circa 1885-1905, France. Petite hand-blown and tole lanterns used in processions. Stunning in a collection when lit with taper candl...
Tin, Wire
Vintage Patinated Floral Tole Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This enchanting vintage toleware lantern is a masterclass in French Country elegance, featuring a charming botanical design that brings the beauty of a garden indoors. Hand-crafted f...
Wrought Iron
$2,940Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Iron Wall Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful distressed lantern approximate 27” height and 30 height including bracket. 19” depth from wall. 18” wide. Old glass with crackle appearance. Scroll iron work and 3 light c...
Iron
$951Sale Price|55% Off
French, 18th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare and early metal lantern, France, circa 1750-1800. Weathered. Part of the glass of later date.
Metal
Classic Style Lantern , Bronze Finish , English style , Beveled Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A good size Lantern made for a Lighting Designer in Los Angeles . All metal body metal finished in a Bronze Finish . Has a Ceiling Canopy of 6" dia . Total drop from Canopy to botto...
Metal
Pair of Gold Finished Wrought Iron Lanterns with Textured Glass and Glass Beads
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of gold finished wrought iron lanterns with textured glass and glass beads. Already rewired for US Lighting Standards.
Wrought Iron
$4,000 / item
Early 20th Century Wrought Iron outdoor Lantern
Located in palm beach, FL
Monumental wrought iron outdoor Lantern suspended by a coat hook. These majestic lanterns are most decorative. Six are available. The work of wrou...
Wrought Iron
Two Chic Six-Arm Chandeliers in Lovely French Grey Finish, Gilt Accents.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Two chic six-arm chandeliers in lovely French grey finish, gilt accents. Newly wired and ready for installation. Priced per chandelier.
Tôle
$10,293
C19th Bronze Chateau Lantern
By Mansonier Versailles
Located in London, GB
Magnificent Versaille Bronze lantern Very Rare Rewired
Bronze
Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Pink Color
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Pink Color. The Lantern includes a beautiful system where the chains run along rai...
Brass
Antique Hanging Candle Lantern
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful Antique Hanging Candle Lantern. The Lantern includes a beautiful system where the chains run along rails so that the candles can be changed easily.
Brass
Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Blue Color
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Blue Color. The Lantern includes a beautiful system where the chains run alon...
Brass
Antique Hanging Candle Lantern
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful Antique Hanging Candle Lantern. The Lantern includes a beautiful system where the chains run along rails so that the...
Brass
Black-Painted Hexagonal Street Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Black-painted hexagonal street lantern from the South of France. Newly wired for use within the USA using UL listed parts. Includes chain and canopy (listed height does not include c...
Metal, Steel
$2,000 / item
Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Red Color
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful Antique Hanging Candle Lantern in Rare Red Color. The Lantern includes a beautiful system where the chains run along rails so that the candles can...
Brass
1940's Small Glass Lantern with Grape Design
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's small etched glass lantern with grape design
Glass
Vinatge Forged Iron Italian Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate any interior with this striking vintage wrought iron lantern, richly detailed with ornate hand-forged scrollwork. Its architectural silhouette is framed by an elegant array o...
Iron
High Quality Wrought Iron 5 Panel 5 Light Glazed Chandelier Lantern
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
1 of 4 listed separately. Gilt metal. 5 glass panels. 5 candlestick lights. 44 1/2" h x 25 1/2" w x 25 1/2" d. Condition Scratches. Gilt loss. Oxidation. We recommend all lighting ...
Wrought Iron
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
French Gilded Lantern Light - 3-Arms w/ Tassels & Ribbons
Located in New York, NY
Bronze gold gilded, three light, 20th C., lantern light with canopy. It is adorned with a series of chain swags with molded tassels and ribbons decorating the cylinder glass. The bot...
Bronze
Tole, Glass and Iron Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
Tole, glass and iron lantern dating to early 20th century, France. Not wired for electricity, but can be wired, or fitted for usage with gas, for an add...
Steel, Iron
French Brass Night Watchman’s Lantern This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Brass Night Watchman’s Lantern This is a lovely piece, originally an oil lamp, it has been given a new lease of life with the addition of elec...
Brass
$3,112Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Empire Style Ceiling Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A Pair of matching French Empire style ceiling lamps with a gold gilt frame and iridescent beads. Circa: 20th century. Measures: H: 7 1/2" W: 9 1/2".
Brass