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.
20th Century French Country Style Leather Wingback Armchair
Located in New York, NY
French Country wingback armchair, hand-crafted in the 20th Century. Beautifully tailored leather upholstery with brass stud trimming. The leather has aged well and has a warm sepia-b...
Brass
$2,201Sale Price|30% Off
Oversized Marge Carson Damask Wingback Chair Sette with Rolling Ottoman
By Marge Carson
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent Palm Beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of an oversized Marge Carson wingback chair with rolling ottoman. And coordinated braided piping/trim. A...
Cotton, Velvet
18th Century Canadian Provincial Anthropomorphic Wing Chair
Located in Essex, MA
A Truly Remarkable French or Canadian Provincial Beech Anthropomorphic Wing Chair. Mortise and Tenon throughout including paneled sides and wings. Square tapered legs with original...
Beech
1930s French Wingback Lounge Chairs in the Style of Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Almelo, NL
1930s French Wingback Lounge Chairs in the Style of Guillerme et Chambron This exquisite pair of French wingback lounge chairs, dating from the 1930s, beautifully embodies the refin...
Upholstery, Walnut
$5,142 / set
A Pair of Salon Chairs with Silk Parrot Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Salon Chairs with Silk Parrot Design A Pair of 19th Century French carved gilt wing arm salon chair This is a splendid pair of French Provincial Chairs, the beautifully s...
Silk
Vintage Tufted Leather Wingback Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage wingback chair is a distinguished marriage of French Provincial elegance and classic library comfort. Upholstered in a rich, supple oxblood leather, the piec...
Brass
$1,568Sale Price|30% Off
French Provincial Wingback Armchair Carved Walnut
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, Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XV Style Wing Armchair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Comfort and style, this Louis XV provincial style wingback bergère club chair in beautifully carved details. The frame is in a pickled oak finish, cabriole feet, undulating top cre...
Linen, Wood
Pair of Bergere Chairs with Napoleonic Bee Upholstery
Located in Asheville, NC
Beautiful pair of bergere chairs with Napoleonic bee upholstery and beautiful French carved frame with nailhead trim.
Fruitwood
$1,256Sale Price|30% Off
H 42 in W 30 in D 35 in
Vintage Robert Allen Chippendale Wingback Armchair French Country Farmhouse
By Robert Allen
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Cotton
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
$3,450 / set
H 39 in W 33.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Danish 1940s Style Large Scale High Back Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of great large scale Danish club or lounge chairs of newer fabrication in the style of 1940's chairs but likely made around 2000. We found the chairs in Denmark and based on the looks they appeared to be 1940's but upon closer review we found them to be of much newer date. We liked the look and style very much and decided to offer them here. The chairs are superbly charming and similarly comfortable with a very strong presence to anchor any room. Raised on legs of oak. The chairs were made by Danish manufacturer, Hjort Knudsen...
Wool, Oak
$3,446
H 43.31 in W 33.86 in D 31.89 in
COMFORTABLE ViNTAGE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER TUFTED CHESTERFIELD WINGBACK ARMCHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored vintage Chesterfield tufted Cigar brown leather wingback armchair. Please note...
Leather
$14,098
H 32.68 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 Guillerme et Chambron Dining Chairs in Oak, France, 1960's
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Lovey set of 6 Guillerme et Chambron dining chairs in oak. Guillerme et Chambron were a celebrated French design duo—Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron—whose work became iconic in...
Oak
$5,790
H 37.41 in W 26.97 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Lounge Chair / Armchair, France, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A lovely oak Guillerme et Chambron lounge chair / armchair, France, 1960s. Edition Votre Maison. Good original condition with cushions newly upholstered in Rose Uniacke textured line...
Fabric, Oak
$3,650
H 43 in W 29 in D 34 in
Danish 1930-40s Midcentury Country Style Wingback Armchair in Solid Oak
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass nails. Sturdy and strong construction of generous pr...
Wool, Oak
$18,020 / set
H 42.33 in W 31.7 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Oaken “Grand Repos” Lounge Chairs by Guillerme et Chambron, France 1950s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of oaken “Grand Repos” lounge chairs deserves its title of iconic, both in terms of quality and design. This model visually represents the very reason Votre Maison, the Fre...
Fabric, Wood
$3,950 / set
H 36.5 in W 27 in D 27 in
Pair of 20th Century Danish Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Wingback Club Chairs
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of 20th century Danish Chesterfield wingback club chairs upholstered in vintage tufted leather with a rich reddish-brown to oxblood tone. Deep button tufting and brass nail head...
Brass
Pair of Louis XIII Style Wing Chairs with New Upholstery
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Louis XIII style wing chairs with new upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Georgian Style Wingback Chairs Upholstered in Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Wing Back Chairs in the Style of Georgian. Newly upholstered in Linen with a cord welt to the cushions. A wonderful pair and very c...
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
Pair of Henredon Butter Upholstered Wingback Club Chairs
By Henredon
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An exceptional pair of bespoke wingback club armchairs from Henredon's Upholstery Collection. The chairs feature towering wingback silhouettes with gracefully curved wings that exten...
Brass
Sold
H 39 in W 30 in D 39 in
Vintage French Blue Velvet Tufted Fauteuil Walnut Wingback Parlor Armchair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French arm chair featuring a blue velvet tufted upholstery with fauteuil rolled arms, wingback, and cabriole legs. Dimensions: 39"h x 30 x 39", seat h 20"
Fabric, Hardwood
Pair French Provincial Style Cerused Oak Hooded Porters Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of country French provincial hooded porters chairs or balloon chairs crafted from oak. The domed chairs feature an oak frame having a cerused finish with distinctive b...
Brass
Drexel Wingback Chair from Upholstery Collection
By Drexel
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
Wingback Armchair Slipcovered in White Linen
Located in Chireno, TX
Wingback armchair slipcovered in off-white linen with lumbar cushion. Down-wrapped seat cushion. Chair upholstered in muslin with white-washed feet.
Steel
Pair of Country French Provincial Walnut Botanical Wingback Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of country French provincial or Louis XV style wingback armchairs crafted from walnut. The chairs are constructed from walnut with gracefully curved large wings and a ge...
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-century French country inspired club chairs by Henredon
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage French country inspired club chairs by the Henredon furniture company. These chairs have oak frames with an antiqued factory finish to the surfa...
Wood
Vintage Pair of French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful pair of French Provincial wingback chairs originally from the 1940’s. The condition still pretty good, it has some wear due to use and age such as the wear in the arms and ...
Fabric, Wood
1940s Pair of Vintage French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful pair of French Provincial wingback chairs originally from the 1940’s. They are very strong and comfortable. The condition still pretty good, it has some wear due to use and...
Fabric, Wood
French Double Cane Wingback Chair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on READ MORE below. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A French Provincial Carved Solid Wood Double Cane Wi...
Cotton, Cane, Wood
Sold
H 38 in W 22 in D 24 in
Pr. Leather French Provincial Style Wing Back Chairs by Baker Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Voguish pair of wing back chairs, in the French Provincial style, by noted American furniture maker, Baker Furniture. The chairs feature leat...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 48 in W 27 in D 29 in
Vintage French Country Provincial Style Tall Wingback Carved Walnut Lounge Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Country Provincial Style Tall Wingback Carved Walnut Lounge Chair. Item features a unique tall wingback, solid wood frame, nicely carved details, stretcher base, very ...
Fabric, Walnut
Glossy Leather Wingback Chairs by Richard Himmel Interiors
Located in Skokie, IL
This fabulous pair of tall wingback chairs in the French Provincial style was designed by well-known interior designer, Richard Himmel, of Chicago, and produced in 1970. The high-bac...
Brass