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.
French Provincial Slipper Chairs with Cane & Velvet, Rocaille Carvings
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of early 20th C. French Country slipper chairs with beautifully maintained cane seats & backs. The pair is enhanced with custom cushions upholstered in the mid 1970's in Jack...
Velvet, Cane, Walnut
1920s Horsehair Filled in Pierre Frey French Curved Slipper Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated late 19th Century with the exquisite slipper chairs. A magnificent pair of late 19th-century Napoleon III-style slipper bedroom...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,695 / set
Pair Of Antique Provincial French Slipper Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of Custom upholstered Slipper Chairs having a Blue and White Stripe fabric with nail head trim. The black and green painted frames with Cabriole legs, shaped Stretcher an...
Fabric, Wood
$2,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Early 19th Century Highly Carved Italian Slipper Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
These chairs date to the early part of the 19th century. They're made of a fine walnut and are hand carved. The legs taper down to a French Provincial Style foot. Reupholstery reco...
Walnut
19th C French Needlepoint Carved Diminutive Fauteuil
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is the sweetest small French style fauteuil with a needlepoint seat depicting love birds on a tree and back showing a dapper gentleman holding something out for his lady (who wa...
Fabric, Wood
Pair French Provincial Style Fruitwood Tufted Velvet Upholstered Slipper Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of French Provincial Style Fruitwood and Tufted Velvet Upholstered Slipper Chairs in great vintage condition Measures 21.5" in width, 23" in depth and 34.5" in height. Seat he...
Hardwood, Velvet
Pair of 1940's French Wrought Iron Frame Slipper Chairs
By René Prou
Located in North Miami, FL
These extraordinary scrolled and elegantly ornate wrought iron slipper chairs newly upholstered in a rich and luxurious green mohair fabric, are in the style of French master, Rene P...
Wrought Iron
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Cream Blue Boudoir Slipper Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style Cream Blue Boudoir Slipper Chairs - a Pair. Item features a nice petite size, cream and blue distress painted frames, shapely carved backs, c...
Fabric, Wood
17th Century French Chair
Located in palm beach, FL
Beautiful French walnut chair from the 17th century, with twisted legs and cushioned seats. The chairback is nicely done and openly worked in three parts. The cushioned seats are in ...
Nutwood
On Hold|$2,792 / set
H 36.03 in W 24.81 in D 18.12 in
19th Century Pair of Carved Walnut Folding Scissors Savonarola Bench or Settle
Located in Miami, FL
19th century carved walnut folding scissors Savonarola bench or settee featuring a carved shields in the back leather. Typical of the Italian Renaissance with carved Florentine structure . This pair created in the 19th century, most likely 1840s-1850s, are in good condition, the wood restored but the leather is damaged. The Savonarola chair is a type of folding chair with an X-frame when viewed from the front or back. It was designed to fold so it was portable and used during campaigns or other outdoor pursuits. The title Savonarola comes from the name of Italian Renaissance Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola, who is renowned for his clash with tyrannical rulers and corrupt clergy. This pair would make perfect hallway or entryway chairs...
Walnut
$4,152Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 41.34 in W 16.15 in D 21.66 in
Pierre Lottier brown Spanish Slipper chairs by Almazan, 1950s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Spanish neo-classical high-back auxiliary chair designed by Pierre Lottier for Almazan, 1950s. Oak wood structure with curved and harmonious lines where the reddish-brown leather ba...
Metal
Needlepoint Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form, raised on legs ending in casters.
Wood, Fabric
$4,500 / set
H 31 in W 28 in D 29 in
Early Pair of Florence Knoll for Knoll Slipper Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sharp looking matching pair of slipper lounge chairs designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the 1950's. They feature lacquer wood frames with black velvet fabric. Thes...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Modern Chartreuse Velvet Swivel Down Slipper Chairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Modern Chartreuse Velvet Swivel Down Slipper Chairs.
Velvet, Feathers
A large mid 19th century walnut slipper chair c1860
Located in Batley, GB
A large sized mid 19th century walnut slipper chair with a serpentine front rail. Raised on quality walnut turned front legs with splayed walnut legs to the rear and all with the ori...
Walnut
Edward Ferrell Button-Tufted Linen Upholstered & Slipper Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
Edward Ferrell Button-Tufted Linen Upholstered Slipper Chair, with gingham plaid pattern in green and pink and gathered skirt, "Edward Ferrell" label to underside. 35" H x 26"...
Upholstery
$6,200
H 31.38 in W 30 in D 30 in
Pierre Chapo Inspired Slipper Chair Upholstered and in Walnut by Boyd & Allister
Located in Santa Fe, NM
This Pierre Chapo inspired slipper chair in walnut is inspired by one of my favorite mid century designers and his Lo9 slipper chair. I was drawn to the low profile and pleasing prop...
Linen, Walnut
Pair 20th Century Shell Inlay Slipper Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of stylized satin lacquered and shell inlay slipper chairs newly upholstered in a white luxe faux fur fabric with bolster pillow.
Cane, Wood, Shell
$2,450
H 32.75 in W 21.5 in D 30 in
19th Century Napoleon III Scroll Back Slipper Chair, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III slipper chair featuring an elegant scroll back and refined proportions characteristic of the period. The frame displays graceful lines and ...
Fabric, Wood
$14,800 / set
H 33 in W 29 in D 30 in
Pair of Large Donghia Slipper Chairs Newly Upholstered in Ivory Tiger Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
With all the many things one could do on these luxurious Donghia slipper chairs, lounging is most certainly one of them. Sit back go for a magic carpet ride in these shimmering tiger...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$3,570
H 29.5 in W 21 in D 17 in
French Louis XIV Style Walnut and Upholstered Fireside Chair, mid 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
designed specifically to be low to the ground but with ample seat and comfort level it was used to warm oneself at the hearth of a fireplace, the open back with turned finials with a...
Walnut
$3,706Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Channelled Slipper Chair in Red Velvet with Legs in Walnut
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella slipper chair is one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge. Th...
Velvet, Walnut
Antique French Louis XV Style Slipper Chair, Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very sweet Louis XV style French slipper chair newly upholstered in white fabric with blue silk back & welting. Sumptuous down seat cushion.
Wood, Paint
$4,500 / set
H 39.5 in W 28 in D 28 in
19th C. French Louis XV Style Mahogany and Needlepoint Tapestry Fauteuils, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
This pair of French Louis XV style Fauteuils features walnut frame with carved foliate, floral and scroll decoration; upholstered in pictorial needlepoint tapestry depicting courting...
Tapestry, Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 33.25 in W 25.25 in D 24.25 in
Baker Furniture Style French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Slipper Chair or
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style slipper chair or lounge chair In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved walnut frame, with whimsical Chinoiserie upholst...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 30.5 in D 33 in
Pair of Chairs, Late 19th Century, France, Reupholstered in Schumacher Fabric
Located in New York, NY
We love the elegant silhouette of this pair of late 19th-century chairs, discovered in the South of France and newly upholstered in Schumacher's Apolline Botanical fabric...
Linen, Wood
Pair Of French Country Slipper Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of French country slipper chairs with wide comfortable seats. Upholstered chairs have beautifully shaped backs and are raised on scrolled cabriole legs. Upholstery is in a small...
Textile, Wood
19th Century French Upholstered Slipper Chairs, A Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of re-upholstered slipper chairs from France, produced in the 19th Century. Upholstered in a terry blue boucle, cascading up and over the chairs’ arching backs, makes a compel...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage French Slipper Chairs with Toile Upholstery, a Pair
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming and well made pair of vintage, likely 1950s or 60s, French slipper chairs with mauve, tan, pink and cream toile upholstery on the front. Back side is a beautiful solid mau...
Cotton, Hardwood
1900s French Slipper Chairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wooden upholstered chairs from 1900s France. Skinny waists and wide high-arching backs form a pleasing hourglass-like construction. A bright and clean upholstery slopes dow...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of French Country Walnut Slipper Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of charming French country low slung slipper chairs. With elegant shaped crest rails and sides with slight wings on the ends. Wide comfortable seats, raised on cabriole legs w...
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 29 in D 26 in
Antique Robert W Irwin French Provincial Channel Back Vanity Chair Pink Brocade
Located in Dayton, OH
"A quaint channel back vanity or accent chair by Robert W. Irwin Furniture Company. Upholstered in an elegant pink brocade with throw pillow. Supported by turned, tapered and flute...
Upholstery, Hardwood
1880s French Provincial Slipper Chairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of re-upholstered slipper chairs from France, produced circa 1880. Two low-slung seats upholstered in a heathered khaki standing on four black legs. A sumptuous set with seats...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of French Slipper Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of newly upholstered French slipper chairs.
Fabric
Sold
H 38 in W 34 in D 28 in
Henredon French Tufted Tweed and Nailhead Slipper Java Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Henredon French lounge chair and ottoman. Features tufted tweed, with nailhead trim and carved legs. Finished in Java.
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of Louis XV-Style Carved Walnut Chauffeuses
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a super chic pair of early 20th century French walnut chauffeuse or fireside/slipper chairs that have been newly upholstered in the coveted Clarence House Zebra Belgium linen...
Brass
Pair of French Provincial Five-Leg Slipper Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming and rare pair of French provincial style slipper chairs featuring five cabriole legs. Diminutive frames with a subtle wing back design and a hand cane inset. The painted fra...
Cane, Wood, Down