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French Provincial Models and Miniatures

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 Provincial Artist Mannequin
Located in Middleburg, VA
Unusual size, made of carved Beech with articulated joints and old patinated surface. These were designed to illustrate the human body's joints function. Made in Provence circa 1890....
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Beech

19th Century French Provincial Artist Mannequin
19th Century French Provincial Artist Mannequin

19th Century French Provincial Artist Mannequin

Limoges France Oval Scalloped Porcelain Box With High Relief Rocaille Trim
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautiful Limoges porcelain oval scalloped shaped trinket box is handmade and hand painted in a soft mauve color and features high relief white rocaille and shell motif porcelain tri...
Category

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Porcelain

Limoges France Oval Scalloped Porcelain Box With High Relief Rocaille Trim
Limoges France Oval Scalloped Porcelain Box With High Relief Rocaille Trim

Limoges France Oval Scalloped Porcelain Box With High Relief Rocaille Trim

Miniature French Faux Bamboo Washstand with Mirror
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 19th century French miniature faux bamboo marble top doll furniture wash stand with pivoting vanity mirror. Made of pitch pine and cherry wood with a small drawer, towel bars ...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble

Miniature French Faux Bamboo Washstand with Mirror
Miniature French Faux Bamboo Washstand with Mirror

Miniature French Faux Bamboo Washstand with Mirror

Miniature Doll-Size French Provincial Stained Fruitwood Antique Armoire Cabinet
Located in Shippensburg, PA
MINIATURE DOLL-SIZE STAINED FRUITWOOD ARMOIRE Probably French, circa 1880-1910 Item # 403FPM02P A very well-made doll-size miniature armoire from the turn of the century, the armoir...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Steel

Miniature Doll-Size French Provincial Stained Fruitwood Antique Armoire Cabinet
Miniature Doll-Size French Provincial Stained Fruitwood Antique Armoire Cabinet

Miniature Doll-Size French Provincial Stained Fruitwood Antique Armoire Cabinet

19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire
Located in High Point, NC
19th century chestnut miniature armoire from France. This is a wonderful piece of craftmanship, with a lovely crown following down to a case which is entirely raised panelled and peg...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Chestnut

19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire
19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire

19th Century French Chestnut Diminutive Armoire

19th Century, French Faience Enameled Chinoiserie Table Top Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century, French Faience Enameled Chinoiserie Table Top Cabinet. A very fine french enameled cabinet with chinoiserie decoration to the exterior and a white enamel to interior. G...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, French Faience Enameled Chinoiserie Table Top Cabinet
19th Century, French Faience Enameled Chinoiserie Table Top Cabinet

19th Century, French Faience Enameled Chinoiserie Table Top Cabinet

Metal Eiffel Tower Decoration, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of brass decorations in the shape of the Eiffel tower conjures the romance of a voyage to Paris. Made in France in the 20th Century, the intricate lattice-work is rendered ...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Metal Eiffel Tower Decoration, a Pair
Metal Eiffel Tower Decoration, a Pair

Metal Eiffel Tower Decoration, a Pair

Miniature Wooden Cabinet from Nineteenth-Century France
Located in High Point, NC
This highly eclectic piece takes influences from baroque to gothic to empire styles, sporting oriental reminiscences. This small cabinet is a product of a time when Europe started to...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Miniature Wooden Cabinet from Nineteenth-Century France
Miniature Wooden Cabinet from Nineteenth-Century France

Miniature Wooden Cabinet from Nineteenth-Century France

Related Items
19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century miniature secretaire cabinet made from Oakwood. Decorative object, can be used as jewelry/letter box. Originates Netherlands, dating, circa 1800
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Oak

19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet
19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet

19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet

H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 5.91 in
Antique Victorian Miniature Cabinet Cupboard Rauch Engraving Maria Stiegen
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique black painted miniature cabinet with lower drawer, three interior shelves and door displaying an antique print by Carl Rauch titled Ansicht der Maria Stiegen Kirche in Wien (...
Category

19th Century Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Hardwood, Paint, Paper

Antique Victorian Miniature Cabinet Cupboard Rauch Engraving Maria Stiegen
Antique Victorian Miniature Cabinet Cupboard Rauch Engraving Maria Stiegen

Antique Victorian Miniature Cabinet Cupboard Rauch Engraving Maria Stiegen

H 15 in W 7 in D 9.75 in
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base. The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful. The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

H 11.03 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Curious antique English box made of mahogany with brass details, inside which are the working instruments of a pathologist. The division of the interior of the box is covered in red ...
Category

19th Century British Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments
English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments

English Pathologist Box Made of Mahogany with Brass, Including Instruments

H 4.14 in W 16.74 in D 7.68 in
Classic Burl Walnut with Inlaid Brass Swiss Music Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
This beautiful burl walnut music box with elegant brass inlaid top plays four different tunes. The rich sound resonated richly and has the workings made in Switzerland. The on and of...
Category

20th Century Swiss French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Classic Burl Walnut with Inlaid Brass Swiss Music Box
Classic Burl Walnut with Inlaid Brass Swiss Music Box

Classic Burl Walnut with Inlaid Brass Swiss Music Box

H 2.5 in W 8 in D 4.75 in
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet

H 42.5 in W 49.57 in D 28.25 in
Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Rare French early 19th century Napoleonic medal cabinet on four gilt bronze pawfeet, a hinged door to the top and front opening to reveal four drawers containing 184 very fine bronzed plaster medals...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet
Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet

Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet

H 6.3 in W 20.28 in D 11.62 in
19th Century French Automaton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous rare 19th century automaton. Most likely made in France at the end of the 19th century. She is a real beauty and in remarkable condition for her age. She is made of porcelain and cloth. When you wind her she bends her head and raises bouquet to smell the flowers. With the stand she is 15 1/2 inches high. Just herself measures 11 1/2 inches high. Approximately 5 1/2 inches in width and depth. There is a monogram on the back of her neck that appears to be the letter C...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Automaton
19th Century French Automaton

19th Century French Automaton

H 11.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
French 19th Century Needlepoint Prie Dieu
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century ebonized wood prie dieu upholstered in vibrant needlepoint. This dramatic prayer kneeler has a plush armrest rising from turned spindles forming an arched desig...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wool, Wood

French 19th Century Needlepoint Prie Dieu
French 19th Century Needlepoint Prie Dieu

French 19th Century Needlepoint Prie Dieu

H 34.5 in W 19 in D 18.5 in
19th Century German Doll House Miniature Furniture
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th century German Doll house miniature furniture A sewing table, a table and 2 chairs. The sewing table has a flap and the table has 5 compartmen...
Category

19th Century German Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bone

19th Century German Doll House Miniature Furniture
19th Century German Doll House Miniature Furniture

19th Century German Doll House Miniature Furniture

H 2.56 in W 0.99 in D 1.23 in
Rare French Small Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small gilt bronze pill box by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940-50s. The rather rare round box features a relief-cast spider on the lid. The interior ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze

Rare French Small Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
Rare French Small Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin

Rare French Small Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin

H 0.5 in Dm 1.125 in
Bronze Jewelry Box Ancient Sarcophagus Reliefs Greek Roman Caesar Gladiator
By Line Vautrin
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful heavy cast bronze, hinged/lidded box, lightly polished, and glowing. Depicting ancient relief scenes / characters of Ancient Roman or Greek...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Jewelry Box Ancient Sarcophagus Reliefs Greek Roman Caesar Gladiator
Bronze Jewelry Box Ancient Sarcophagus Reliefs Greek Roman Caesar Gladiator

Bronze Jewelry Box Ancient Sarcophagus Reliefs Greek Roman Caesar Gladiator

H 2.63 in W 6.38 in D 3.5 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century French Table Top Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet, Antique Upholstered Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet, French 19th Century, bombe shaped booth mounted with brocade ...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wool, Silk, Glass, Walnut

19th Century French Table Top Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet
19th Century French Table Top Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet

19th Century French Table Top Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet

H 10.75 in W 6.25 in D 10.25 in
19th Century French Wooden Mini Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
A miniature chest of drawers made from wood and a marble top from 19th century France. A cheerful and charming find, its bright palette and small stature quietly make an aesthetic st...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Wooden Mini Chest of Drawers
19th Century French Wooden Mini Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Wooden Mini Chest of Drawers

H 10.2 in W 12.4 in D 5.9 in
Vintage Eiffel Tower Miniature
Located in High Point, NC
This brass decoration, in the shape of the Eiffel tower, conjures the romance of a voyage to Paris. Made in France in the 20th Century, the intricate lattice-work is rendered in perf...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Vintage Eiffel Tower Miniature
Vintage Eiffel Tower Miniature

Vintage Eiffel Tower Miniature

H 8.9 in W 3.7 in D 3.7 in
20th Century, French Brass Eiffel Tower Decorations, Pair
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of brass decorations in the shape of the Eiffel tower conjures the romance of a voyage to Paris. Made in France in the 20th Century, the intricate lattice-work is rendered ...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

20th Century, French Brass Eiffel Tower Decorations, Pair
20th Century, French Brass Eiffel Tower Decorations, Pair

20th Century, French Brass Eiffel Tower Decorations, Pair

H 13.4 in W 5.7 in D 5.7 in
19th Century French Miniature Commode
Located in High Point, NC
A 19th century miniature commode produced in France. An antique dark wood commode standing on dainty tapered feet, featuring three front drawers, a s...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Miniature Commode
19th Century French Miniature Commode

19th Century French Miniature Commode

H 12.4 in W 13.6 in D 7.5 in
Bavent Yellow Tin-Glazed Terracotta Faïence Chicks, Normandie France, a Pair
By Bavent
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A charming pair of tin-glazed terracotta Chicks from Bavent, Normadie, France circa 1900-1920. Since the Middle Ages, Bavent is known for the rich clay that gives a rich and beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Terracotta

Bavent Yellow Tin-Glazed Terracotta Faïence Chicks, Normandie France, a Pair
Bavent Yellow Tin-Glazed Terracotta Faïence Chicks, Normandie France, a Pair

Bavent Yellow Tin-Glazed Terracotta Faïence Chicks, Normandie France, a Pair

H 4.5 in W 2 in D 4 in
1930s Belgian Rustic Painted Bird Cage
Located in High Point, NC
An oversized bird cage from Belgium, carefully painted with a trompe l'oeil backdrop and fitted with a matching tree branch. The cage is constructed with traditional carpentry techni...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Zinc

1930s Belgian Rustic Painted Bird Cage
1930s Belgian Rustic Painted Bird Cage

1930s Belgian Rustic Painted Bird Cage

H 49.2 in W 41.7 in D 22.8 in
French Provincial Carved Louis XV Style Miniature Commode, Early 19th Century
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This elaborately carved French Provincial commode is a true gem for lovers of miniature furniture. It features two short drawers above 2 long drawers all carved with scrolls, leaf wo...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze

French Provincial Carved Louis XV Style Miniature Commode, Early 19th Century
French Provincial Carved Louis XV Style Miniature Commode, Early 19th Century

French Provincial Carved Louis XV Style Miniature Commode, Early 19th Century

H 9.5 in W 12 in D 6.25 in
Faux Bamboo French Director's Armchair in Miniature with Original Fabric
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature faux bamboo director's armchair carved from wood. The material with a green, red stripe on a natural ground is original. The chair was designed to fold, as the larger versi...
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Textile, Wood

Faux Bamboo French Director's Armchair in Miniature with Original Fabric
Faux Bamboo French Director's Armchair in Miniature with Original Fabric

Faux Bamboo French Director's Armchair in Miniature with Original Fabric

H 8.25 in W 5.25 in D 4.25 in
French Miniature Brittany Armoire, circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
French miniature armoire from Brittany with two doors in carved wood (Wheels and columns).
Category

1920s French Vintage French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

French Miniature Brittany Armoire, circa 1920
French Miniature Brittany Armoire, circa 1920

French Miniature Brittany Armoire, circa 1920

H 18 in W 6 in D 10.8 in
Antique Hand Painted Miniature Portrait on Porcelain in a Brass Easel Frame
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand painted miniature portrait on porcelain is unsigned and unmarked, but presumed to have been made in France in approximately the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Antique Hand Painted Miniature Portrait on Porcelain in a Brass Easel Frame
Antique Hand Painted Miniature Portrait on Porcelain in a Brass Easel Frame

Antique Hand Painted Miniature Portrait on Porcelain in a Brass Easel Frame

H 3.5 in W 2.25 in D 0.5 in
French Miniature Brittany Cradle
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French miniature cradle from Brittany made of dark stained oak and decorated with hand carved and incised details. Two finials re-glued.
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Models and Miniatures

Materials

Oak

French Miniature Brittany Cradle
French Miniature Brittany Cradle

French Miniature Brittany Cradle

H 5.5 in W 8 in D 4 in

French Provincial models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage models and miniatures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial models and miniatures made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 models and miniatures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $5,950 while the average work can sell for $685.

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