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.
Late 19th Century French Bobbin-Turned Oak Fireside Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An evocative late-19th-century French Provincial corner chair, or coin du feu, handcrafted in France circa 1895. Distinguished by its compact proportions, unusual wraparound back and...
Rush, Oak
Antique French Provincial Triangular Corner Chair, Beech Frame, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Antique French Provincial triangular corner chair. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Origina hand-craftedl patinated beech frame with original rush seat. Thi...
Rush, Beech
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Coin-de-Feu Bobbin-Turned Oak Corner Chair with Rush Seat, circa 1895 An engaging late-19th-century French corner chair, traditionally known as a coin-de-feu chair, handcraft...
Rush, Oak
$1,261 / set
Pair of Corner Chairs
Located in London, England
Pair of Provençal corner chairs in walnut with turned rails and rush seats. Circa 1920
Walnut
Antique Rural Dutch Carved Corner Bobbin Chair with New Rush Nr2
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very charming oak Bobbin chair that fits perfect in a corner. The rush of the seat is new and therefore it is still a bit green but that will soon fade. This chair was made in the ...
Rush, Oak
Pair of French Provincial gilded Wood Corner Chairs, circa 1900
Located in Miami, FL
A charming pair of French Provincial gilded wood corner chairs. Beautifully carved walnut frames and new upholtered seats, sturdy and strong and in good antique condition. Stylish, eye-catching chairs would make a fabulous addition to any eclectic interior.
Walnut
$8,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 43 in W 34 in D 24 in
Pair of Vintage Modern Tulip Back Parlor Arm Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of vintage Modern Tulip Back Parlor arm chairs. This rare mid-century modern design has been restored and reupholstered in unique textured velvet material. Featuring 3 tulip ped...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
$69,100 / set
H 23.63 in W 26.78 in D 28.35 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-60-A Pair of Lounge Chairs / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual ...
Cane, Teak
1920s Cottage Style Bobbin Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bobbin-turned corner chair with a wood frame and original rush seat. The chair features bobbin turning throughout — on the four legs, arm rails, back rails, and all four stretchers. ...
Wood
Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Rush, Beech
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.25 in W 16.75 in D 14.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of 19th century maple side chairs with rush seats. Seats with remnants of paint. Frames tightened. Chairs touched up & polished.
Rush, Maple
$575Sale Price|52% Off
H 34 in W 23.5 in D 17 in
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
$1,995
H 33.47 in W 22.25 in D 20.08 in
Antique Edwardian Style Triangular Corner Chair Rush Seat Knitting Armchair 1900
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Late 19th century Edwardian style wooden armchair with rush seat, ca 1900 Manufactured in U.K. Beautiful English antique knitting chair with t...
Wicker, Wood
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
$701
H 26.38 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Mid Century Antique Provincial Hand Crafted Bobbin Corner Chair, France, 1940s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A fine French Provincial corner chair in stained oak with a handmade cane seat. Classic bobbin turned legs and in a overall fine vintage condition. Made in the 19th century. Lovely ...
Straw, Wood
$3,250 / set
H 36.5 in W 24.75 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Antique Swedish Monk's Corner Chairs in Oak, Circa Early 20th Century
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of rustic Swedish munkstolar, or monk’s chairs, ca. 1910-1920. Their three legged design has its origins in the medieval monasteries of Northern Europe where it was considered a...
Oak
$2,571Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique 20th Century Set of French Arts & Crafts Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful seating arrangement of two corner chairs. The chairs were made in solid beechwood with original rush seats. This rustic set of antique double railed chairs with Classic...
Rush, Beech
$1,685
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
Sold
H 25.75 in W 16.88 in D 17 in
Diminutive Antique French 19th Century Walnut Bobbin Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming bobbin-form corner chair in walnut with woven seat in red, green, and natural rush (ca. late 19th Century, France). Slight slant to one of the legs (normal, given the handma...
Rush, Walnut
Sold
H 25.6 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Rare Antique French Provincial Carved Oak Bobbin Rush Corner Chair, France 1910s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a French Bobbin Rush Corner chair made in the beginning of 20th century. This French Provincial-style carved oak armchair features open backs and rus...
Rush, Oak
Early 1900's French Bobbin Corner Chair
Located in LYON, FR
Early 1900’s French Bobbin Corner chair. Oak frame with handwoven sea grass seat. Classic bobbin turned legs that have been painstakingly stripped, sanded and waxed (my hands may nev...
Seagrass, Oak
Pair of 1940s French Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of 1940s French bobbin corner chairs. Wonderful turned oak 'coin de feu' chairs with rush seats and a varnished finish. In excellent, solid condition with very light wear. Hei...
Oak
20th Century French Oak Bobbin Corner Chair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A charming early 20th-century French provincial bobbin wood corner chair. It features beautifully turned oak frames with the original striped rush seats. Sourced from the south of Fr...
Oak
Sold
H 33.08 in W 24.41 in D 16.54 in
French Provincial Hand Crafted Bobbin Turned Armchair, Mid-20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful French Provincial armchair / desk chair in stained oak with a fine rustic seagrass seat. Classic bobbin turned body and in an overall fine vintage condition. Made in the ...
Oak, Seagrass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
French Antique Provincial Hand Crafted Bobbin Corner Chair, Mid-19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A fine French Provincial corner chair in stained oak with a handmade cane seat. Classic bobbin turned legs and in a overall fine vintage condition. Made in the 19th century. Lovely ...
Cane, Oak
Sold
H 25.6 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Multicolored seat Bobbin corner chair, France, early 20th century
Located in Lyon, FR
Nice multicolored seat corner chair, also called Bobbin chair, made in France between the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Bobbin chairs were c...
Straw, Wood
Sold
H 25.6 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Bobbin corner chairs, wood and straw, France, early 20th century
Located in Lyon, FR
Nice pair of two corner chairs, also called Bobbin chairs, made in France between the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. They were common pieces ...
Straw, Wood
Sold
H 25.6 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Bobbin corner chairs, wood and straw, France, early 20th century
Located in Lyon, FR
Nice pair of two corner chairs, also called Bobbin chairs, made in France between the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. They were common pieces ...
Straw, Wood
19th Century French Pair of Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A charming pair of late 19th century French provincial bobbin wood corner chairs. Beautifully turned oak frames with the original striped rush seats. Sourced from the south of France...
Rush, Oak
A pair of French Bobbin Corner chairs
Located in LYON, FR
Pair of early French 20th century corner chair in coil-turned oak with rush seat. Excellent condition, completely original, no repairs or old modifications. Sourced in Lyon France. ...
Seagrass, Oak