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French Provincial Armchairs

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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: French Provincial
Pair of Napoleon armchairs in Woven Navy Stripe
Located in Faversham, GB
A pair of stunning 19th century French Napoleon III square back armchairs on turned ebonised legs. Fully reupholstered with hessian and calico to the walnut frame, finished in a wov...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Oak, Walnut

Pair of French Crapaud Armchairs
Located in Faversham, GB
A set of late 19th century Napoleon III crapaud armchairs with wide wide generous seats raised on turned ebony legs. The armchair has been fully restored and stripped back to the so...
Category

1890s French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

A Superb Pair of French 19th Century Gilt Salon Chairs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Superb Pair of French 19th Century Gilt Salon Chairs These Elegant Chairs have been re finished and upholstered in pale blue Silk Damask, they have a serpentine shaped front and c...
Category

19th Century Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Chestnut

Pair of 60s Italian Bent Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Lounge Armchairs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of armchairs in rattan wicker bamboo with great design and tall high back. This charming lounge chairs are in the typical style of Fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Pair of 60s Italian Bent Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Lounge Armchairs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of armchairs in rattan wicker bamboo with great design and shape. This charming lounge chairs are in the typical style of Franco Albin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage Mid Century Audoux Minet French Wicker and Pine Armchair
Located in London, GB
A rare hand crafted Audoux Minet armchair in pine and wicker. A vintage French classic, the chair was designed by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet in the mid century. Extremely comforta...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Hemp, Cord, Pine

Late 19th Century Caned Faux Bamboo Armchair
Located in Wembley, GB
A caned faux bamboo armchair. French, late 19C. Sturdy, patinated frame with all cane work strong and serviceable as is. 95 x 60 x 56.5 cm (37.4 x 23.6 x 22.2 ") Seat height: 40 c...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Elm

19th Century Pair of French Walnut Armchairs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pair of sturdy, solid walnut dining armchairs, each fitted with an ample, envelope-shaped woven rush seat and scrolled armrests. The ladderback back rests are tall and gently curve...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Straw, Walnut

French 19th Century Armchair om Casters with Birds of Paradise upholstery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
A beautiful French 19th Century Voltaire Chair, professionally restored in a Liberty style fabric to bring it into modern day, ready for another century of life. Complete with origin...
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Pair Gilt Arm Chairs French Fauteuils 1920 Tub
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French gilt arm chairs Classic pair of fauteuils with a tub design Just reupholstered with lovely green floral fabric Clean from...
Category

1920s Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Antique French Handmade Brutalist Oak & Cognac Leather Castle Armchair, 1920s
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
Antique Castle Chair in thick Cognac leather and oak wood. It was handmade in France in the late twenties. Handmade only from wood and leather. The patinated solid oak frame is handc...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pair French Gilt Arm Chairs Fauteuils
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair French gilt arm chairs with hand woven fabric Quality pair of French fauteuils recently upholstered with applied gold leaf decoration As rec...
Category

1980s Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Other

Stunning Pair of French Black Leather Club Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning pair of 20th century French quality leather and ebonised wooden upholstered black leather club armchairs. Retaining the original leather ...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Midcentury Patinated French Oak Garden Armchairs, France 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Midcentury Patinated French Oak Garden Armchairs, France 1950s This set of four mid-20th century French-style garden armchairs is made of colored oak and has a patinated finish. They offer a comfortable seating experience with a deep seat angle and wooden slats that provide a casual feel. The armrests slope downward, giving these chairs a unique profile. Although there are paint chips and markings, they add to their authentic look and overall French charm...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Early 20th Century Set of Two Provenzal Armchairs in Wood and Rattan
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of two provenzal armchairs. Wooden armchairs with a wide traditional rattan seat, curved lines and characteristic details of French Provincial style. Painted ...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Charles Dudouyt Style Armchairs in Beechwood and Rush Seat, France, 1940s
Located in Almelo, NL
Charles Dudouyt armchairs in beechwood and rush seat, France 1940s Charles Dudouyt style armchairs In beechwood and rush seat, France 1940s these very comfortable chairs with armr...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Chalet Armchairs in Blackened Pine, France, 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Pair of Savoyard chalet armchairs in blackened pine, France 1950. The eventful backrest is openworked with two circles, the boards are grooved, the feet are worked on the plane. Beau...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Pine

Armchairs Turned Legs and Natural Fiber Seat Rope France, Pair
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
pair of antique armchairs turned legs and enea seat Europe. rustic style throne natural wood renaissance revival french provincial, provence, French riviera friar armchair. European...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Early 1900's Design High Wing Back Armchair Fauteuil Set
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Original early 1900's design high wing back armchair Fauteuil set of 2. Made in France, 1920's - 1930's. High wing back arm chair with oak sculptural car...
Category

1920s French Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Provençal Braided Straw & Linen Club Armchair French Audoux-Minnet Style
Located in London, GB
A braided straw armchair from Provence, with newly upholstered seat cushion in textured white linen. In the manner of Adrian Audoux & Frida Minnet. Frenc...
Category

1970s French Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Straw

Pair of 1920s Swedish Fauteuils Armchairs Upholstered in Mid-Taupe Linen Fabric
Located in London, GB
A pair of lovely Swedish armchairs circa 1920s designed in the French manner. The wood surround has decorative detailing with a light wash which shows some traces of the original pai...
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Linen

Pair of Vintage French Rush Armchairs in Style of Francis Jourdain
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
A pair of Vintage rush armchairs in style of Francis Jourdain, France, 1950. This pair is in good condition, confortable and brings a warm feeling in a d...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Rush, Oak

French Antique Armchair in Original Wood and Leather
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid antique French wood and leather armchair produced in the 19th century, splendid French manufacture. There are 4 wooden legs for support, the two at the back are sinuous but...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Button Back Salon Chairs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Button Back Salon Chairs These beautiful chairs are wide and very comfortable, they are upholstered with Draylon in a slightly muted shade of dark cherry The b...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Provincial Oak and Tapestry Wing back Armchairs
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming pair of Provincial French wingback chairs. An unusual duo of oak-framed armchairs upholstered in a striking rose-themed floral tapestry. All original and thought to be a tot...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Tapestry, Oak

Pair of 60s Italian Bent Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Lounge Armchairs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of armchairs in rattan wicker bamboo with great design and tall high back. This charming lounge chairs are in the typical style of Fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

French Carved Walnut and Salon Chair, Upholstered in Silk
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French carved walnut and salon chair, upholstered in silk This beautiful carved walnut chair, dates from around 1950, it is upholstered in Water Silk which is a glorious Marigold ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

1960s Italian Bamboo and Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Children Mini Hoop Chair
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mini Hoop Children armchair in bamboo. This charming chair is a sweet choice for beach house playrooms and bunk rooms, where the younger se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

20th Century Bench in Turner's Chairs Style French Provincial Baluster Bench
Located in Labrit, Landes
French provincial hall baluster bench, late 18th century In the turner's chairs style, Open arms with inset turnings, carved beech Attractive settle...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Rustic French Green Painted Rush Seat Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Mid 20th century high quality vintage country French painted framed scrolling ladder wingback armchair with caned rush seat. Turned finials on squ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Rush

Pair of mid 19th century French walnut and gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid 19th century French walnut and gilt armchairs circa 1840. Fine and rare pair of french walnut armchairs.  Shaped backs which leads down the arms which are supported by c...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

French Provincial armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Russell Woodard, Baker Furniture Company, and Robert Allen. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $20,000 while the average work can sell for $2,283.

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