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French Provincial Benches

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
Large and Massive Wood Slatted Bench from the 1960s, Scandinavian
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Large and Massive Wood Slatted Bench from the 1960s, Scandinavian A wonderful Scandinavian teak slatted bench from the 1960s.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage French Provincial Benches

Materials

Metal

Large and Massive Wood Slatted Bench from the 1960s, Scandinavian
Large and Massive Wood Slatted Bench from the 1960s, Scandinavian

Large and Massive Wood Slatted Bench from the 1960s, Scandinavian

Antique oak bench
Located in L'AMETLLA DE MAR, ES
French antique bench made circa 1900. Farmhouse style probably south of France. In original antique condition sound and solid and with a lovely patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Benches

Materials

Oak

Antique oak bench
Antique oak bench

Antique oak bench

Antique hand carved newly upholstered French country benches/a pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of early 20th century handcarved walnut French country style benches. These benches have been newly upholstered in a sage green French country Toile. The benches have ...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique French Provincial Benches

Materials

Wood

Antique hand carved newly upholstered French country benches/a pair
Antique hand carved newly upholstered French country benches/a pair

Antique hand carved newly upholstered French country benches/a pair

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 Benches

Materials

Beech

20th Century Bench in Turner's Chairs Style French Provincial Baluster Bench
20th Century Bench in Turner's Chairs Style French Provincial Baluster Bench

20th Century Bench in Turner's Chairs Style French Provincial Baluster Bench

1950s french pine farmhouse bench
Located in LYON, FR
A beautiful pine farmhouse bench with spindle legs, completely restored by us. Protected by a matte varnish, it is very stable and sturdy. Note that this bench is available in pair...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Benches

Materials

Pine

1950s french pine farmhouse bench
1950s french pine farmhouse bench

1950s french pine farmhouse bench

1950s French Gray Carved and Painted Bench
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking carved and painted French style bench. It is unmarked with a thick down cushion. The linen fabric appears to be a recent addition. I believe it dates to the 50s.
Category

1950s American Vintage French Provincial Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Down

1950s French Gray Carved and Painted Bench
1950s French Gray Carved and Painted Bench

1950s French Gray Carved and Painted Bench

Pair of French Tufted Benches with cabriole legs
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of tufted French Louis XV style benches. There are beautiful carved details throughout. The bench stands on four cabriole legs that end in rams head feet. They are upholstered i...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Tufted Benches with cabriole legs
Pair of French Tufted Benches with cabriole legs

Pair of French Tufted Benches with cabriole legs

Pair of Foot Stools in Walnut and Leather Seat with Tacks
Located in Miami, FL
The structure forms a rectangular form with both sides of the base intersecting and supporting each other. The seats are natural cowhide and attached to the frame by large round bron...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Benches

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Foot Stools in Walnut and Leather Seat with Tacks
Pair of Foot Stools in Walnut and Leather Seat with Tacks

Pair of Foot Stools in Walnut and Leather Seat with Tacks

Late 19th Century French Bench Provincial Oak High Back, circa 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
French high back bench, circa 1890 to be recovered French Provincial hand carved oak In good antique condition with minor signs of use for its age, the upholstery is in good condit...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Benches

Materials

Chestnut

Late 19th Century French Bench Provincial Oak High Back, circa 1890
Late 19th Century French Bench Provincial Oak High Back, circa 1890

Late 19th Century French Bench Provincial Oak High Back, circa 1890

Pair of 19th Century Country French Provincial Farmhouse Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of late 19th century country French provincial farmhouse bench seats crafted from fruitwood. These harvest benches feature a 1.5-inch thick...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Benches

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair of 19th Century Country French Provincial Farmhouse Benches
Pair of 19th Century Country French Provincial Farmhouse Benches

Pair of 19th Century Country French Provincial Farmhouse Benches

Vintage French Baroque Carved Wood Bench
Located in Houston, TX
This updated vintage French bench is a stunning example of timeless elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Crafted from solid carved hardwood, its intricate baroque details add an ex...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vintage French Baroque Carved Wood Bench
Vintage French Baroque Carved Wood Bench

Vintage French Baroque Carved Wood Bench

Pair of french pine farm benches, 1950s
Located in LYON, FR
This duo of benches has been completely treated and restored in our workshop. The seat is matt varnished for good durability. Perfectly stable and solid. Dimensions: L200 x D30 x H4...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Benches

Materials

Pine

Pair of french pine farm benches, 1950s
Pair of french pine farm benches, 1950s

Pair of french pine farm benches, 1950s

French Country Painted Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Our antique replica made with recycled pine, gives you a casual look. The X brace legs are joined by a metal stretcher with a nice finial capping the ends. Grey painted with a white ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Benches

Materials

Wood

French Country Painted Bench
French Country Painted Bench

French Country Painted Bench

Bench, Pair 18th Century, French, Vernacular, Provincial, Elm, Trestle
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Single plank tops, lovely shaped ends on trestle feet. Exceptional original color and patina.   
Category

1780s European Antique French Provincial Benches

Materials

Elm

Bench, Pair 18th Century, French, Vernacular, Provincial, Elm, Trestle
Bench, Pair 18th Century, French, Vernacular, Provincial, Elm, Trestle

Bench, Pair 18th Century, French, Vernacular, Provincial, Elm, Trestle

19th Century Provencale Bench
Located in London, Park Royal
19th century French provencale bench. Charming rustic piece with original paintwork in French grey, age distressed.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Benches

Materials

Rattan, Wood

19th Century Provencale Bench
19th Century Provencale Bench

19th Century Provencale Bench

French Provincial benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial benches 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 benches, popular names associated with this style include Guillerme et Chambron, and John Hall. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $8,950 while the average work can sell for $2,190.

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