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French Provincial Books

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
Masterful Studies: Three Centuries of French Drawings from the Prat Collection
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Masterful Studies: Three Centuries of French Drawings from the Prat Collection by Rosenberg, Pierre.New York: National Academy of Design, 1990. 1st edition.Softcover. Tan and color i...
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20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

French Interiors of the Eighteenth Century Hardcover by John Whitehead
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Interiors of the Eighteenth Century Hardcover by John Whitehead 2009. Hardcover coffee table book. Red cloth boards with gilt spine lettering with color pictorial DJ, color il...
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21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

The Clark Brothers Collect Impressionists and Early Modern Painting Hardcover
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Clark Brothers Collect Impressionists and Early Modern Painting Hardcover Coffee Table Book. Michael Conforti, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Metropolitan Museum of A...
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21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Pair of 19th C. French Book Velum Containers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two containers made from antique velum books. They are triangular in shape, each adorned with a faded golden design against a lighter background. The diamond-shaped central motif, b...
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19th Century French Antique French Provincial Books

Materials

Parchment Paper

Provence : The Beautiful Cookbook by Peter Johnson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Provence: The Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Regions of Provence Hardcover – September 24, 1993. by Richard Olney (Author), Michael Freeman (Author), Peter Johnson (P...
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Late 20th Century French French Provincial Books

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Paper

René Cerbelaud's Perfumery and Pharmacy Book
Located in Milano, IT
We invite you to embark on a timeless journey of discovery, as we unveil a genuine relic from the past: René Cerbelaud's rare book, dating back to 1909. Titled "Formulaire des Principales Spécialités de Parfumerie et de Pharmacie par René Cerbelaud," this extraordinary tome is a true repository of secrets and traditions from the captivating worlds of perfumery and pharmacy. Originally published in French and subsequently translated into numerous languages, this book has traversed the centuries, preserving the wisdom of a bygone era. Each page of this precious book holds a story of expertise and passion within the realms of perfumery and pharmacy. Despite more than a century having passed since its publication, the contents of this book continue to exert a fascinating allure. René Cerbelaud meticulously documented a wide range of recipes, including serums, ointments, liqueurs, and various extracts, offering us a comprehensive overview of ancient pharmaceutical and perfumery practices. Reading this book is akin to taking a journey back in time, an extraordinary opportunity to explore the traditions and knowledge of a bygone era. This antique book stands...
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Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Books

Materials

Fabric

Julia Child Mastering the Art of French Cooking Book 1964
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Julia Child MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING VOL. ONE New York: Alfred A. Knopf. First Publishing 1961; Sixth Printing 1964. Hardcover. Autographed fro...
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Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Books

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Paper

Villa Decor: Decidedly French and Italian Style Hardcover by Betty Lou Phillips
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Villa Decor: Decidedly French and Italian style hardcover book, October 1, 2002 by Betty Lou Phillips (Author), Dan Piassick (Photographer). Villa Decor, Betty Lou Phillips discusses...
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21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

French Influences Hardcover Book By Betty Lou Phillips Signed First Edition
By Betty Phillips
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Influences Hardcover Book By Betty Lou Phillips, photographer Emily Minton. First Edition 2001 hardcover coffee table book, signed by Betty Lou Phillips. " For Patricia, Vive La France, Betty Lou Phillips" "French Influences" Mention the French and most minds overflow with symbols of their panache: sensuous velvets, leopard prints, toile, silk taffeta curtains, deep bullion trim, and eighteenth-century furnishings. The truth is, it is difficult not to fall under the influence of the French, whose uncommon grace is inherent in everything they do. Explore the captivating allure of French influences with the First Edition of "French Influences," a hardcover edition by Betty Lou Phillips and Emily Minton as the photographer. Published in 2001, this book takes you on a visual journey through the timeless elegance and artistic inspirations of French design. Following on the heels of Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America and French by Design, in French Influences, Betty Lou Phillips delves into the world of design Francais once again, illustrating through lavish color photography how, room by room, French elegance remains the creme de la creme. From living rooms to kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, media rooms, gardens, and baths, French Influences reveals the means for creating French-style rooms in the home. Furniture, linens, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories, color palettes, lighting fixtures, and antiques inspired by their rich cultural heritage, including rock-crystal chandeliers, Aubusson rugs, exquisite tapestries, feather-filled armchairs, and painstakingly carved armoires are all part of this style. The resource guide makes it possible for anyone to locate these objets d'art and decorate a la Francaise, creating a gracious mingling of old-world charm and ease. Author of Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America and French by Design, Betty Lou Phillips is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her design work has appeared in such publications as Southern Accents, Bedroom, Bath & Wall, and Decorating, and has also graced many magazine covers. The enduring appeal of French-country style spans the centuries, a gracious mingling of elegance and ease. After years of largely echoing the furniture, fabrics, and accessories linked with the region of Provence, these days French country is often far removed from the primitive images that hearken back to the early seventeenth century. Room by room, the book reveals the secrets to creating a contemporary French-country look, including textiles, furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, color palettes, wall treatments and lighting, thus allowing anyone to bring the look home. Award-winning designer and best-selling author, Betty Lou Phillips is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. With projects from New York to California, her work has been featured in countless magazines, as well as in her numerous home design books...
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Early 2000s French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Les Cinglés Du Chocolat Hardcover French Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Les cinglés du chocolat Hardcover French Edition. Text in French small Size. Dimensions: 8.5 in x 5.5 in x 0.5 in. Les cinglés du chocolat by Sandra Boynton, Jean-Jacques Brisebarre, Sylvie Girard. Published: 1987. English title: Chocolate: The Consuming Passion. CHOCOLATE continues to delight chocoholics everywhere. Packed with Boynton's famous hippos, bunnies, pigs, and other animals, this gift-perfect book is a whimsical commentary on the individual's relationship to chocolate, its varieties, and its sources. From the several sorts of chocolate connoisseur-including the gourmoo, who eats only milk chocolate-to the several shapes of chocolate itself (bunny, kiss, glove compartment bar), Boynton's apologia for chocolate misses nothing. Myths are chocolate is not fattening, she argues, especially when the caloric expenditure of carrying it home from the store and hiding it from company is factored in. Directions are to remove stains, lick them. Plus, how to grow chocolate at home, a foolproof method for determining if chocolate is in season (does the name of the month contain the letter A, E, or U?), and a recipe for Hippo Pot de Mousse. "Fourteen out of ten people like chocolate," says the artist. This is the only guide for people who like chocolate the way they like to breathe. Résumé in French: Léger, drôle, amusant, le livre illustré avec humour analyse et présente tout ce qui touche de près...
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Late 20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Food of France by Kay Halsey and Lulu Grimes Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Food of France by Kay Halsey and Lulu Grimes hardcover cook book. (Part of the A Journey for Food Lovers Series)by Maria Villegas and Sarah Randell Title: The Food of France Publisher: Whitecap Books Publication Date: 2001 Binding: Hardcover Condition: Good Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Synopsis: When one thinks of great food, one invariably thinks of France. After all, this is the birthplace of some of the world's greatest chefs, such as Auguste D'Escoffier, and a major influence on many others, such as Julia Child. THE FOOD OF FRANCE is the second in a series of richly photographed cookbooks that examines the food of different countries. Lush images and information on France and its internationally renowned gastronomic culture make this book much more than a cookbook. Pictorial essays presented in gatefold spreads highlight food journeys that share the traditions behind France's best-known exports, including cheese and pastries. A glossary of French food...
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21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

French Paintings Collectible Art Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Painting Hardcover collectible art book by Charles Stuckey– January 1, 1997 by Charles Stuckey (Author) Hardcover · 320 page Stuckey examines...
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20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

The Great Book of Post-Impressionism Diane Kelder Art Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Great Book of Post-Impressionism by Diane Kelder, In this splendid sequel to The Great Book of French Impressionism, Diane K...
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Late 20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

The Great Book of French Impressionism by Diane Kelder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The art of the French impressionists great large heavy art table book by Diane Kelder. A survey of works by French artists of the Impressionist movement focuses on Pissarro, Sisley, Manet, Morisot, Monet, Renoir, Cassatt, Degas, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Absolutely gorgeous extra large coffee table book - “The Great Book of French Impressionism...
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1980s French Vintage French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

The Cooking of Provincial France Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Cooking of Provincial France hardcover by M. F. K. Fisher (Author), Mark Kauffman (Photographer) Title: Recipes: The Cooking of Provincial Fra...
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Late 20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Loire Castles Artaud Freres Publication Hardcover Book by Armel De Wismes
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Loire Castles Artaud Freres Publication Hardcover Book by Armel De Wismes. Beautiful photographs in color of different castles, inside and out, on the Loire River. Publisher : ...
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1980s French Vintage French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Impressionism & Post Impressionism Vintage 1986 1st Edition Collector Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Impressionism and Post-impressionism: The Hermitage, Leningrad, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Vintage 1986...
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20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Kiki's Paris Artists and Lovers 1900-1930 Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Kiki's Paris: Artists and Lovers 1900-1930. Billy Klüver, Billy Klèuver, Julie Martin Abrams, 1989 - History - 263 pages. 1st edition hardcover with dust jacket. 263 pp. An illustrat...
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20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Cuisine Sante by Christopher Buey French Cuisine Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Cuisine Sante by Christopher Buey, French Cuisine book A renowned chef offers compilation of more than 150 French-inspired recipes for gourmet meals usin...
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Late 20th Century American French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

The French Hunter Year 1931 Le Chasseur Francais French Magazine Cuisine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Le Chasseur Francais The French Hunter. Year 1931 (12 Numbers - Complete Year 1931) from January 1931 to Dec 1931. Collective French text Published by Le Chasseur Français, Bounded in a Margarine Solo handcrafted cover to protect the old magazines...
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Early 20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Impressions of Giverny Monet's World Charles Weckler Hardcover Book
By Claude Monet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Impressions of Giverny Monet's World Charles Weckler hardcover book A short text describes impressionist Claude Monet's house and gardens at Giverny, a village 40 miles northwest of...
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20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

Le Soir Illustre, Mai 1949 to Sept 1949 French Magazines Paris France
Located in North Hollywood, CA
26 issues casebound in buckram. Nos. 883 - 899, mai 1949 to sept 1949. Title: Le Soir Illustre, mai 1949 to sept 1949. Paris France. Publication Date: 1949 French text.
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Early 20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

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French Provincial books for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial books 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 books created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial books made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original books, popular names associated with this style include Abrams Publishers, and Betty Phillips. 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 books differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $39 and tops out at $950 while the average work can sell for $145.

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