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.
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
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 Dutch Oak Bobbin Turned Corner Chair with New Rush Seat, circa 1920
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
A charming antique Dutch corner chair in oak, made in the Netherlands around 1920 and built entirely from hand-turned bobbin elements. The chair has been given a newly woven rush sea...
Rush, Oak
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
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
$1,260 / 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
$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
$1,534
H 25.99 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
French Bobbin Turned Chestnut Chair with Hand-Woven Rush Seat, France, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique French organic armchair entirely crafted from solid turned chestnut wood and completed by a hand-woven rush seat. This refined sculptural chair was produced in F...
Straw, Rattan, Wood, Chestnut
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
Antique Edwardian Bobbin Corner Chair, English 1900s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
An antique English corner chair, dating to around 1900–1910. This chair is made from solid wood, likely beech, with a dark stained finish, turned bobbin legs and stretchers, and a sh...
Fabric, 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 New York, 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
Pr. Mid Century Corner Lounge Chairs by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in New York, NY
Super chic pair of triangular lounge chairs, attributed to Ficks Reed. The chairs feature a wrap around plinth style base of repeating bamboo pieces, and a bent bamboo frame. The cus...
Bamboo
$1,247
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 18.9 in
Victorian Bobbin Corner Chair, Hand-Carved Oak with Calico Cushion
Located in Faversham, GB
A superb oversized Victorian bobbin corner chair in oak with a freshly upholstered calico seat cushion. The double railed ladder back rest with si...
Calico, Oak
$682
H 29.14 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Stunning French Corner Chair in Turned Oak and Cane, France, 1930-1940
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Stunning French solid turned oak wood corner chair with original woven cane seat, circa 1930-1940. In very good condition. One leg is slightly bent naturally. The chair is structural...
Cane, Oak
$2,025Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
18th Century Chippendale Corner Chair with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding 18th century Chippendale walnut corner chair features intricate marquetry inlay in a delicate floral motif. Even the back of the top rail, splats and the back of the...
Walnut
$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
$2,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Antique 20th Century Set of two brown French Arts & Crafts Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Casteren, NL
Discover a set of antique Bobbin chairs that captures the essence of mid-19th century France. These corner chairs, each with its own unique chara...
Rush, Beech
$2,268 / set
H 28.55 in W 16.34 in D 16.15 in
Typical Dutch Pair Antique Rush-Seat Oak Corner Bobbin Side Knitting Chairs 1900
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Pair of Antique Dutch Corner Knitting Chairs – Turned Oak & Rush Seat – ca. 1900 A beautiful matching pair of vintage Dutch corner chairs, each with unique character and slight diff...
Cane, Wood, Oak
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
$682
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
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
French Bobbin Corner Chair
Located in LYON, FR
A French Provincial corner chair in stained oak with a handwoven seagrass seat. Classic bobbin turned legs in excellent original condition. Made in the late 19th century. Sourced in...
Seagrass, Oak
Turn of the Century French Upholstered Corner Chair
Located in High Point, NC
The intriguing shape and soothing natural finish of this carved oak corner chair makes it a vintage find to treasure. Built in France at the turn of the century, the seat is arranged...
Upholstery, Wood
French Bobbin Corner Chair
Located in LYON, FR
A French Provincial corner chair in stained oak with a handwoven seagrass seat. Classic bobbin turned legs in excellent original condition. Made in the late 19th century. Sourced in...
Seagrass, Oak