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.
1940s French Blue and White Toile Serpentine Arch Settee, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated mid 20th Century with this exquisite original French toile settee set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of history and refineme...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage French Style Pine Bench Settee With Rope Rattan Has Cushion
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage French Style Pine Bench Settee Rattan Cushion 3-Seater Farmhouse Brown French-style pine bench settee with rope rattan is a beautiful piece that embodies the charm of French...
Rattan
$592Sale Price|25% Off
Custom Designer French Provincial Louis XV Floral Apricot Settee Chair
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 ...
Cotton, Wood
Vintage Paradigm Cane Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant vintage settee by Paradigm embodies the romantic allure of Louis XV design, offering a sophisticated silhouette for the refined home. Featuring a beautifully contoured f...
Other
$1,421Sale Price|25% Off
French Country Settee & Ottoman Set
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 French Country Settee...
Cotton, Wood
Antique Louis XV Style French Provincial Sofa Settee W Brunschwig & Fils
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Louis XV Style French Provincial Sofa Settee W Brunschwig & Fils.
Fruitwood
$15,623
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$7,437Sale Price|30% Off
H 42 in W 102 in D 60 in
Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Victorian corner parlor sofa featuring serpentine walnut frame with S scroll carved and padded arms. Features queen anne legs and tufted upholst...
Velvet, Walnut
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
Vintage French Louis XVI style Carved Gilt Settee C. 1960's
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 38.5 inches high x 65.75 inches wide x 32.5 inches deep. Seat Height 21 inches A refined expression of neoclassical elegance, this vintage French Louis XVI style settee...
Wood, Upholstery
$4,975
H 29.25 in W 46.25 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Brass Lined Walnut Settee w/ Cane Detailing & Holly Hunt Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
A refined Mid-Century Modernist settee that masterfully balances warm natural materials with tailored luxury. Crafted in walnut circa 1960, the piece showcases a sleek, linear frame ...
Brass
1980's French Louis XV Style Cane Settee, Italy
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exquisite Louis XV style hand carved French caned settee with loose notched cushion. Crafted in Italy c. 1980's, ready for use. Additional dimension...
Upholstery, Cane, Cherry
$10,211 / set
H 48.43 in W 59.85 in D 25.6 in
Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
$1,200
H 36 in W 30 in D 24.5 in
Antique Victorian French Country Louis XV Style Green Painted Settee Bench
Located in Dayton, OH
This vintage accent armchair beautifully blends Victorian, French Country, and Louis XV style elements into a single, cohesive design. The Louis XV style is immediately apparent in t...
Fabric, Hardwood, Paint
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
Vintage Old Hickory Hoop Settee with Woven Rattan Back and Seat
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Old Hickory hoop settee from the mid 20th century with woven rattan back and seat. This mid-20th-century Old Hickory hoop settee is a rustic masterpiece that seamlessly blends nat...
Wood, Rattan
Edwardian Black Chinoiserie Bergère Cane Settee
Located in Hastings, GB
English Edwardian chinoiserie Beech Wood bergère cane settee, circa 1900 Decorated with painted oriental scenes and figures, in superb condition for it’s age All cane work is in good...
Cane, Wood
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 29 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
Wool, Beech
Antique French Farmhouse Benches Banquette Seating Pair Window Seats
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Farmhouse Benches, Banquette Seating or Pair Window Seats Handsome pair of French Country farmhouse style trestle benches~~these benches have that "rustic" ...
Oak
Sold
H 19 in W 78.75 in D 11.5 in
Antique French Farmhouse Bench Banquette Seating Window Seat c.1920s-30
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Farmhouse Bench, Banquette or Window Seat 1920s-30s Handsome French Country farmhouse style trestle bench~~perfect for dining table banquette, window seat o...
Oak
Sold
H 18.5 in W 94 in D 14 in
Antique French Farmhouse Benches Banquette Seating Pair Window Seats 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Farmhouse Benches, Banquette Seating or Pair Window Seats Late 19th Century Rarely do we find matching PAIRS~~beautiful and highly sought-after 19th centu...
Oak
Sold
H 36.5 in W 20.5 in D 48 in
Italian Carved Giltwood Caned Settee With French Styling - Down Cushion
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century carved giltwood settee with a triple round caned back. The caning is the French method. The down cushion is almost Moorish. It is most likely Italian and is in ...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique French Walnut Custom Upholstered Camelback Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Antique upholstered settee with tight camel back and seat, carved scrolling arms and resting on 8 carved and tightly scrolled feet. Upholstered in a blue textured woven fabric. ...
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Vintage French Provincial Settee Sofa in Cane and Wood
Located in Saddle River, NJ
1960s Vintage French Provincial Settee Sofa in Cane and Wood. This exquisite vintage French Provincial settee is a stunning piece of furniture that adds a touch of elegance to any r...
Wood
French Style Settee in Silk Upholstery and Silvered Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning settee in the French style, having rounded shape, upholstered in a silk fabric and a silvered frame. The cushion is detached from the frame and it comes with three back pil...
Fabric, Silk, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 44.49 in D 20.87 in
19th Century French Provençal Bench with Cane Seats, Back and Arms
Located in Miami, FL
19th century French provencale bench. Charming rustic piece with original paintwork in French walnut, age distressed.
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 18.25 in W 110 in D 12 in
Antique French Farmhouse Benches PAIR Trestle Oak Farm Table Banquette 110" LONG
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL HARD TO FIND PAIR of Antique French Country Oak Farmhouse Farm Table Benches, Banquette Seating or Window Seating with Trestle Base and Stretchers~~early 20th century ...
Oak
Antique French Triple Chair Back Walnut Settee
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Provincial triple chair back settee, late 19th/ early 20th c. This settee features a walnut frame with turned finials, ladder back, woven rush seat, rising on turned legs join...
Rush, Wood
French Louis XV Style Upholstered Settee
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis XV style settee / salon sofa, 20th c., having carved rocaille crest, in a floral upholstery, with foliate handholds, above shell motif apron, rising on cabriole legs, en...
Brass
Sold
H 40 in W 52 in D 29 in
20th-C. French Country Carved Maple Settee W/ Rush Seat Att. To Pierre Deux
By Pierre Deux
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century French country settee attributed to the manufacturer Pierre Deux. The frame appears to be maple with a sound rush se...
Upholstery, Rush, Maple