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.
Vintage French Tufted Ottoman in Multicolor Linen Upholstery
Located in Astoria, NY
A refined vintage French country ottoman featuring a classic rectangular form set on turned wooden legs with original brass casters. The proport...
Brass
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Provincial Swivel Stool, Cherry or Fruitwood, Sage Velvet
Located in Trenton, NJ
The swiveling round stool in the French Provincial manner was a staple of the well-appointed mid-century American bedroom and dressing room — purpose-made for the vanity or dressing ...
Fabric, Wood
Upholstered pouf or ottoman, tapestry-style, France, XIXth century
Located in Lyon, FR
Upholstered pouf or ottoman, crafted in France in the late 19th century. It features a round wooden frame covered in a decorative “Verdure” tapestry-style fabric, inspired by traditi...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century French Carved Giltwood and Painted Ottoman In Pink Silk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely ottoman! It is a French carved giltwood and painted ottoman in vintage pink Napoleonic bee fabric. It is a versatile size and show some age...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique French Figural Needlepoint Box Footstool Ottoman on Mahogany Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Figural Needlepoint Box Footstool Ottoman on Mahogany Legs. Item featured believed to be a vintage custom made item using Antique French needlepoint tapestry and vinta...
Mahogany
19th Century Hand Carved French Gold Gilt Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Hand Carved French Gold Gilt Ottoman reupholstered in antique linen.
Fabric, Wood
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
Custom Designer Ottoman Coffee Table Sculptural Huge
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Sculptural Oversized Custom Made Designer Ottoman...
Cotton, Damask
Customize Ottoman/Pouf
Located in Brecht, BE
This ottoman/pouf was made in our workshop with old velvet fabric from the 1950s.
Velvet, Wood
$1,176 / set
H 18.9 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Set of Five Chic Iron and Velvet Stools, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant set of five hammered iron Curule stools, the seats upholstered in blue and yellow velvet. Four of the stools have a black finish, and the fif...
Metal
Ma39 Ottoman in Carved Wood Sheep, Italy, 21st Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ma39 ottoman in carved wood, Italy, 21st century Customized item: Material, color fabric, fabric. Available 2.
Wood
Awaiting L Stool Printed Velvet and Brass
By Coralla Maiuri, Giorgia Zanellato
Located in Roma, IT
This stool is part of the Awaiting collection, presented by Secondome during Milan Fuorisalone, 2016. It’s a series of items born from the encounter between the printed silk and cott...
Metal, Brass
Awaiting, H Stool Printed Velvet and Brass
By Giorgia Zanellato, Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, IT
This stool is part of the awaiting collection, presented by Secondome during Milan Fuorisalone, 2016. It's a series of items born from the encounter between the printed silk and cott...
Metal, Brass
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
$3,294
H 15.75 in Dm 19.3 in
Art Deco Vintage Starry like Pouf Stool Tabouret Beech Blue Velvet 1930s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage starry like or flower like upholstered pouf or stool with ocean blue velvet fabric and blue cords, 1930s Austria. An amazing pouf or tabouret or stool with newly ha...
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
$1,200
H 16 in Dm 18 in
Art Deco Floral Tapestry Stool, Tabouret, Pouf, Ottoman, Vienna, Austria, 1930s
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Deco tabouret, vanity stool, or footstool from the 1930s, handcrafted in Vienna, Austria, in the style of Jindřich Halabala. It features an elegant, round blossom sha...
Fabric, Wood
French Ottoman or Stool of Emerald Green Leather on Cabriole Legs
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French ottoman or stool featuring a beautiful upholstered seat of emerald green leather, with brass nail-head trim at the leather's edge. upon a square-shaped serpentine frame...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$2,617
H 12.21 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Large Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Square Ottoman Footstool
Located in London, GB
Large Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Square Ottoman Footstool C.1880 Walnut carved frame with traditionally sprung and webbed upholstery. Upholstery in very good condition, fa...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,500
H 19 in W 38 in D 38 in
Fancy Sandwich Style Upholstered Pouf Ottoman Hassock Tassels Decorated MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fancy Sandwich Style Upholstered Pouf Ottoman Hassock Tassels Decorated MINT
Upholstery
$6,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in W 25.5 in D 25.5 in
Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé Ottomans or Poufs
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé ottomans or poufs Note: Polished steel bases on castors - showing reflection of floor on bases.
Upholstery
Vintage Yellow Upholstered Ottoman with Casters
By Laura Ashley
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage 20th c., small upholstered ottoman in yellow with dainty white floral print, on turned mahogany legs, ending on casters, unmarked, The solid wood legs with turned details a...
Brass
French Oak Tapestry Stool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French oak and tapestry stool made in the 1800’s. The seat is upholstered in a woven material of geometric patterning, in colors of deep indigo and shades of red among the undyed y...
Wool, Oak
French Provincial Style Cowhide Leather Fringe Cocktail Ottoman Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant yet bold cocktail ottoman bench in the French Provincial style having brilliant cowhide top, aniline leather sides with leather fringe surround over turned mahogany legs. ...
Brass
Pr. Contemporary Os De Mouton Style Ottoman Pouf, Benches
By Henredon, Baker Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of high quality os de mouton style ottomans having carved wood bases, and thick down filled seat cushions, in their original brocade fabric upholstery. The benches are contempo...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Belgian Wooden Bench with Upholstered Seat
Located in High Point, NC
Light yet ornate, this wooden bench makes an elegant vintage accent. Built in Belgium in the 19th century, the design is inspired by the elaborate Rococo furniture of bygone eras. A ...
Oak
Chateau d'Ax French Provincial Pouf Ottoman
By Chateau d'Ax
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a chateau d'Ax Dax French provincial upholstered pouf Souffle Style ottoman Measures : 16.5" high 35" wid...
Cotton, Wood
Vintage French Provincial Style Ottoman Newly Reupholstered in Cowhide
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Provincial Style Ottoman with Hand Carved Cabriole Legs Newly Reupholstery in a Brazilian Cowhide “Cafe Latte” Color Beautiful French Provincial style ottoman with a ...
Brass
Turn of the Century French Wooden Miniature Footstool
Located in High Point, NC
This elegant footstool conjures up a bygone age of luxury and leisure. Made in France at the turn of the century, an upholstered cushion atop a woode...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 14.5 in D 19.5 in
Vintage H. Niehoff French Provincial Piano Foyer Bench Ottoman Embroidered Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Provincial bench by Niehoff out of Oregon. Features a rectangular frame with floral embroidered seat, nail head trim and long cabriole legs.
Fabric, Hardwood
French Boho Sectional Ottoman Barley Twist Leather Foot Stools
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions pf a 4-piece round sectional English Barley twist leather ottoman foot stool...
Leather, Wood
Louis XV French Provincial Armchair + Ottoman by Highland House
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description be sure to click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this listing. For a shipping quote, please send us your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Highland House...
Cotton, Mahogany
Ottoman Pouf Footstool Seafoam Green Velvet Coral Pattern
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Beautiful Tufted Ottoman Pouf Footstool Velvet fabric is Seafoam Green color with a Goldenrod Coral Pattern...
Velvet, Cotton