French Provincial Furniture

FRENCH PROVINCIAL STYLE

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.

Style: French Provincial

Creator: Limoges

Whimsical Limoges France Halloween Ghost With Ball & Chain Porcelain Trinket Box

French Provincial Furniture

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Whimsical Limoges France Halloween Ghost With Ball & Chain Porcelain Trinket Box

20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

French Limoges porcelain candy box decorated with colorful peacocks - France

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Circular Shaped Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Sewing Theme Limoges France Floral Motif Porcelain Double Thimbles or Needle Box

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Limoges Marihuana Gold Rimmed Apothecary Jar

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Unique Limoges France Hand Painted Pink Sea Shell Porcelain Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Limoges France Hand Painted Dresser With Hat & Music Book Porcelain Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Unique Limoges France Hand Painted Bellows Porcelain Trinket Box

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Vintage Striped Cream Pot / Dessert Set With Tray by Limoges

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Furniture

Limoges Antique Tressamane and Voght Bowls, Cups, Saucers, Salad Plates

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Birks Limoges, Gilt Porcelain Cream/Sugar/Tray, France, Mid-20th Century

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Fan Trinket Box

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Vintage Limoges Collectible Large Porcelain Bowl Handmade in France

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Furniture

Floral Rich Blue Limoges Ceramic Coiffe Saucer, Limoges, France, 1800s

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Vintage Limoges Collectible Plate Handmade in France

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Very Pretty Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Hat Shaped Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Pear Box with Bee Closure

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Unique Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Vase Trinket Box with Lotus Flowers

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Unique Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Vase Trinket Box with Floral Motif

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Delightful Limoges France Hand Painted Vin De Paris Wine Pitcher Porcelain Box

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Pop Art Limoges French Porcelain Lipstick Miniature Trinket Box Rochard Signed

Early 20th Century French Provincial Furniture

Ornate Antique Sterling Silver Pink Porcelain Vanity Powder Jar Trinket Box

Early 20th Century Chinese French Provincial Furniture

Chinese White Apothecary Jar, circa 1900

18th Century and Earlier French Antique French Provincial Furniture

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box

20th Century English French Provincial Furniture

Cartier Hand Painted Enamel Porcelain Trinket Box

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique French Provincial Furniture

Japanese Hand-Painted Porcelain Lidded Serving Dish, Trinket or Jewelry Box

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

20th Century French Fine Porcelain Blue Chocolate Box by Limoge Signed Leroux

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Set of Two Limoges France Oyster Plate French Vintage Porcelain

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Fan Trinket Box

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Audubon by TIFFANY & Co Limoges Porcelain Vanity Trinket Box Chinoiserie Decor

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Royal Limoges Castel France 22-Karat Gold Trinket Round Box in Cobalt Blue

20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

White Porcelain Clam Shell Trinket Box by Limoges

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Limoges France Hand Painted French Sleigh Bed Porcelain Trinket Box

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Unique Limoges France Toilet Shaped Hand Painted Porcelain Trinket Box

Early 20th Century French Provincial Furniture

Antique French Limoges Gold Trim Demitasse Tea Coffee Cup & Saucer 5"

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Furniture

Vintage French Limoges Car Design Ashtrays Porcelain Dishes Set of 5

1930s French Vintage French Provincial Furniture

Porcelain Casket, Limoges, France, Early 20th Century

Late 20th Century French Provincial Furniture

Vintage French Limoges Fleur De Lis Sea Clam Shell Trinket Dish Tray France

Late 20th Century French French Provincial Furniture