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.
$1,676Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Wrought Iron Vanity Mirror
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful wrought iron dressing table dating from the early 1900s, fine French manufacture. The dressing table vanity mirror has a wrought iron fr...
Wrought Iron
Antique Giltwood Mirror, French Provencal Style, circa 1935
Located in Paris, FR
Antique giltwood mirror, French Provincial style inspiration, circa 1935. Carved giltwood pediment adorned with foliages stylised. Antique frame gild...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
French Oval Mirror In Light Yellow Carved Wood From Provence, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
French oval mirror from the 50's in carved wood painted in a patinated light yellow Provencal color, "Folk Art" inspired. Decorated with a carved bow i...
Mirror, Wood
French Empire Hardwood and Gilt Metal with Candles Cheval Mirror, circa 1810
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1810 French Empire Cheval mirror with gold gilt bronze candlestick holders and fitti...
Mirror, Hardwood
Carved Giltwood Chippendale Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality gilt and carved wood Chinese Chippendale beveled mirror. Chinoiserie style giltwood frame with central Ho Ho bird at top.
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Balinese Hand-Carved, Polychromed Mirror, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mirror was crafted on the island of Bali around the mid-20th Century and features wonderful Balinese carved detailing and a red, black & gold polychrome finish. There is a wall ...
Wood
Gold Giltwood Faux Bamboo Wall or Vanity Mirror Chinoiserie Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood bamboo style framed wall or vanity mirror in the Chinoiserie style, circa late-20th century, New York. Mirror is rectangular with a gold giltwood frame and design det...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
$5,895
H 72 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Large Edwardian Cheval or Dressing Mirror of Satinwood from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English cheval or full-length dressing mirror from the Edwardian era, featuring a mirrored glass panel framed in satinwood with inlaid stringing around the circumference...
Metal
$1,845
H 29.73 in W 17.13 in D 1.07 in
Stunning Georgian circa 1760 Thomas Chippendale Phoenix Mirror Giltwood Hardwood
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1760 mahogany and giltwood Phoenix Thomas Chippendale wall mirror A rare, collectable and highly coveted wall mirror. Known as the Thomas Chippendale Phoenix mirror...
Mirror, Hardwood
$5,763 / item
H 70.87 in W 51.19 in D 1.19 in
Industrial Style Silver Iron Frame Paneled Aged Glass Rounded Edges Mirror
By Pescetta
Located in IT
Pescetta presents its collection of Industrial, vintage effect mirrors. Each mirror is a unique handmade piece, characterized by Italian quality ...
Iron, Silver Leaf
Cheval Mirror in Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant cheval mirror in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the 19th century from England Very beautiful mirror which has its original glass which is beveled Very beautiful pa...
Mahogany
20th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Giltwood
$3,170Sale Price|44% Off
H 86.23 in W 47.25 in D 20.08 in
Large Antique Rococo Style Walnut Full-Length Cheval Mirror, Late 19th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large Rococo-style full-length walnut cheval mirror, late 19th century, France Magnificent late 19th-century Louis XV or Rococo style walnut full-length cheval mirror, showcasing el...
Mirror, Walnut
$2,386
H 23.43 in W 17.13 in D 1.97 in
Spanish Colonial Rectangular Mirror in Carved Wood & Leaf Corner Details, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
MEDIDAS! Hand carved pine wood rectangular mirror with corner leaf details. Spain, 1940s-1950s This mirror features a wooden scalloped frame with foliage deco...
Wood
Interesting Ceramic Mirror, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and interesting small mirror is made of ceramic in the orange tons. This is a very nice French work, circa 1970.
Ceramic
Spanish Oval Wall Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Gilt Oval Mirror, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Spain, 1950s An eye-catching oval mirror feauturing a hand-forged iron frame with twisted iron rope details and gold leaf gilding...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Hall Tree or Coat Rack
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French faux bamboo hall tree, or coat rack, made of beech wood. Large, sturdy tapered turned center pole with six metal hooks, each with two large turned pegs for hang...
Metal, Zinc
Antique French Patinated Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Made in France circa 1900, this antique object tells the story of life in another era. Profiled edges were carved by hand, lending a refined expression to this minimal mirror; reveal...
Mirror, Wood
Turn of the Century Belgian Oak Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
This vintage mirror in natural oak has an elegant simplicity. Made in Belgium at the turn of the century, the clean lines of the wooden frame border an ample pane of bright glass. Th...
Oak
1900s French Bleached Oak Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden mirror made in 1900s France. With rich hardwood molded into a pleasing series of ripples, this mirror exudes a natural and calming essence. A careful bleaching process has g...
Mirror, Oak
19th Century French Gilded Mirrors, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of gilded wooden mirrors made in 19th century France. This pair of deceptively simple mirrors reveal a network of bustling details upon further in...
Mirror, Giltwood
1900s Black Patinated Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
This antique wooden mirror was produced in France, circa 1900. A rectangular wooden frame is carved with a series of ogee profiles, a functional ...
Mirror, Wood
1900s Black Patinated Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
This antique wooden mirror was produced in France, circa 1900. A rectangular wooden frame is carved with a concave profile, a functional statemen...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Gilded Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Mirror mirror, this enchanting antique was crafted in France, circa 1850. Made to reflect the fairest, this magic mirror tells the story of life in anothe...
Mirror, Giltwood
Turn of the Century French Gilded Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Elegant and ornate, this vintage giltwood mirror offers a unique Baroque accent. Made in France at the turn of the century, the wings of the re...
Giltwood
Antique French Ebonized Mirror Set, Set of Eleven
Located in High Point, NC
Eclectic yet elegant, this set of eleven vintage mirrors offers a myriad of possible decorative arrangements. Made in France at the turn of the century,...
Mirror, Wood
1920s French Gilded White Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Mirror mirror, this enchanting antique was crafted in France, circa 1920. Made to reflect the fairest, this magic mirror tells the story of life in another...
Mirror, Giltwood
1930s French White Patinated Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Mirror mirror, this enchanting antique was crafted in France, circa 1930. Made to reflect the fairest, this magic mirror tells the story of life in anothe...
Mirror, Wood