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.
$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
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Low Round Ottomans / Footstools in COM
By Viggo Boesen, Flemming Lassen, Märta Blomstedt, Fritz Hansen, Mogens Lassen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of elegant, modern, low, round ottomans. Handmade in England. To be upholstered in COM. COM fabrics subject to approval.
Alpaca, Oak
Mushroom Ottoman in "Oxido-Honey" Specialty Fabric, Handmade Upholstered Pouf
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in "Oxido-Honey" specialty fabric. Oxido-Honey is a woven fabric with multiple textures in taupe, dark brown, ivory, and muted yellow....
Fabric
Custom Made Sheepskin Covered Oak Ottoman
Located in London, England
Dagmar design custom-made round ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These ottomans have oiled oak ...
Sheepskin, Oak
$1,170 / 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
Vintage Cube Upholstered Stools Moroccan Ottomans, Poufs, a Pair
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of gold cube upholstery ottomans, Poufs. Upholstered stools, use them as extra seats, ottomans, stools. Light and easy to move around. Moroccan hassock, upholstered footstool or...
Fabric
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 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
$9,950 / item
H 14 in W 42 in D 42 in
Zebra Ottoman / Coffee Table, Large Square, Custom Made In USA, Two Zebra Hides
By Area ID
Located in New York, NY
Large zebra ottoman, measures: 42 inches by 42 inches and 14 inches high. Great as a coffee table or ottoman. Built in our NJ factory. Made of beautiful zebra hides from South Africa...
Zebra Hide
$3,277
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
Customize Ottoman/Pouf
Located in Brecht, BE
This ottoman/pouf was made in our workshop with old velvet fabric from the 1950s.
Velvet, Wood
$1,188 / item
H 16.15 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Drova 4 Ottoman by Dmytro Kozinenko — Upholstered Pouf Inspired by Firewood
Located in Kyiv, UA
Drova means firewood — and this pouf is exactly that: four soft upholstered logs, stacked the way firewood is stacked near a fireplace, waiting to warm somebody. Designer Dmytro Kozi...
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
Tufted Leather Round Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
Tufted leather round ottoman with antiqued brown full-grain leather. Dimensions: 36" W x 36" D x 16" H Color variation is common and accept...
Leather
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