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French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

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.

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Style: French Provincial
Mid-20th Century Wood Bureau a Gradin/Writing Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
The piece's clean, rectangular silhouette and streamlined profile convey a refined elegance, expertly constructed from high-quality wood. Featuring six drawers - three on the front ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture French Louis XV Pink Lacquered Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Pink lacquered cherry wood, with original brass hardware. Measures: 50.5"W x 23.5...
Category

1960s American Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Sligh Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Green Lacquered Leather Top Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Sligh Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Green lacquered cherry wood, with embossed leather top, and original brass hardware. ...
Category

1960s American Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Mid-18th Century Louis XV Period Petit Desk or Side Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
Fine Mid-18th Century French Louis XV period petit ladies desk or side table handcrafted in solid French walnut. Features a rectangular top with scalloped apron on all sides and sing...
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

"Brenne" Bean-shaped Burl Wood Coffee Table by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
We are excited to introduce an extension of our ever-popular Brenne desk design. The Brenne coffee table brings a touch of historical influence with a contemporary twist to your livi...
Category

2010s Vietnamese French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

French Directoire Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage French directoire desk. Wonderful shape with inset green leather top. Great storage too. Add some French Architecture to your home.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Country French Provincial Walnut Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century country French provincial diminutive writing table or desk carved from walnut. The top and frieze have a gracefully curved serpentine shape with a small storage...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Marble Top Console Table Bar or Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Provincial style marble top console table, France, circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a console table, bar, media table, stand, desk, or va...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Cream & Blue Ladies Writing Desk Chair Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style Cream & Blue Distress Painted Ladies Writing Desk and Chair Set. Listing includes a 3 drawer writing desk raised on cabriole legs and side ch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Foldable Dining or Writing Table, Beech and Chestnut, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Little chestnut dining table. The two end are foldable and the little width of this table is 32.28 in. (82 cm) The table top was made circa 1970. It was laid on a beech base dating...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Chestnut

French Oval Marble Top Cafe or Bistro Table with Classic Superb Iron Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exquisite French marble top oval cafe table or writing desk with a classic Provincial iron base with center floret design. Marble is a stunning white Carrara marble with pale gray ve...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Iron

French Provincial Petite Desk or Side Table with 4 Sided Scalloped Apron
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely antique French side table or desk from the late 19th century; a beautiful example of the French Country design aesthetic. The table or desk has a beautiful carved scalloped ap...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Desk or Vanity with two Drawers, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful desk, or can also be used as a vanity - dressing table. Made from bamboo wood and rattan, in Italy in the 1970s. The desk is beautiful to look at from all sides and can als...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Paul Sormani Style Antique French Louis XV Kingwood Executive Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding antique French Louis XV style bombay form executive desk or bureau plat desk In the manner of Paul Sormani France, Circa Early 20th Century Kingwood and burl wood, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Limited Edition Bureau Plat De La Fayette for Grange
Located in Bridgeport, CT
French Desk by Grange with fine proportions and presentation. A very well made and faithful likeness to the original at Chateau de Chavanaic in France. Numbered B7 of 999 on mounted ...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1800s Antique French Empire Style, Mahogany, Gilt, Desk, Secretaire a Abattant!!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous antique secretaire a abattant, desk, French Empire style, mahogany, gilt, 1800s, 19th century! This stunning French Empire style marble-top mahogany fall-front desk, 19th century, projecting frieze drawer, with gilt metal crossed sword pulls, turned column supports flanking the fall-front panel, opening to gilt embossed leather writing surface, mirrored interior gallery, over dual cabinet doors, opening to reveal three drawers, above lower apron drawer, approximately 56.5" height 37.25" width, 17" depth. Dominated by Greco-Roman models, the Empire style - spare, noble, massive - had a studied dignity consistent with Napoleonic majesty. The characteristic furniture types were a bit stiff but imposing: their flat surfaces and sharp corners, together with their lack of moldings, produced an effect of grandeur that was not without beauty as per Timothy Corrigan The Empire style was deliberately propagandistic, and embraced what was most monumental in ancient art as suitable analogies to the new French Empire. Napoleon imposed a tyrannical centralization on artistic production, decreeing that it would be subject to control from Paris and overseen by the architects Percier and Fontaine...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique French Writing Desk
Located in Portland, OR
A piece of history, a sense of timelessness, a finely crafted piece, this antique French Provincial desk is all of this and more. Estima...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Rustic 19th Century Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming and rustic late 18th century country French provincial writing table or desk hand-crafted from fruitwood. Made in the South of France this table features a whimsical style f...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century French Walnut Venner Desk, 1940s
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century French walnut veneer and marquetry dressing table with wooden drawers crest and bronze handles.
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Provincial Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Provincial carved beach and walnut bureau plat or writing table with a slightly antiqued and distressed finish, serpentine molded edge top, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Roll-Up Secretary, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
Unique French roll-up secretary/desk in the transition style from around 1890 Wood and bronze. Writing surface and compartments can be pulled out under closure. Cut-out frame drawer...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

French Provincial Louis XV Cream Lacquered Maple Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk USA, Late 20th Century Cream lacquered maple, with natural maple top and original painted brass hardware. Measures: 51"W x...
Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Country French Child's Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th century Country French child size desk, made of solid cherry. Beautifully crafted with turned legs and carved stretcher with center finial. Candle stand on the right, att...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Large french writing table from the 1940s in solid oak
Located in LYON, FR
Large and beautiful solid oak table from the 1940s with spindle legs, used as a desk or display unit, entirely restored in our workshop and offered here in a satin varnished version ...
Category

1940s French Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Bodart French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Jacques Bodart USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood, with gold embossed leather top, and original brass hardware and ormolu...
Category

1960s American Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Small Black Leather Top One Drawer Cabriole Carved Leg Chestnut Desk Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Small Black Leather Top One Drawer Cabriole Carved Leg Chestnut Desk Console Writing Table MINT!
Category

20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Chestnut

Custom Farmhouse Style Writing Desk with Pencil Drawer by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom farm house style writing desk with pencil drawer. Can be made in any size and finish. As shown here in a light walnut with light to medi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Oak

18th Century French Provincial Black Painted “Mazarin” Pedestal Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PROVINCIAL EIGHT-LEGGED "MAZARIN" PEDESTAL DESK IN BLACK PAINT France, circa last quarter of the 18th century Item # 403ZLJ18Q An absolutely stunning eight-legged "Mazarin" pedestal...
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century, French Walnut Leather Top Writing Table W/ Bronze Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th century hand carved French provincial desk. The desk is carved in walnut and is extremely heavy and sturdy after all the year's of use. The finish has developed a beautiful...
Category

18th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Black Ebonized Wood “Architect Desk” Table with drawer, France
Located in Miami, FL
Ebonized wood “architect desk” table, France, 19th century. On four tapered legs with a central knot stands the table, one drawers on the skirt, some boards on the sides and a slopin...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved cherry wood, with original brass hardware. Measures: 46"W x 23"D x 30"H. ...
Category

1960s American Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Walnut & Leather Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
The early 20th century French secretaire was made of walnut. Called secretaire en abbatant by the French, in reference to the sloping-front drop-down desk surface, this particular e...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Marquetry Bronze Ormolu Mounted Center or Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderful French marquetry and bronze ormolu-mounted table that you can use like a desk, console, center table.
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Carved Floral Back 18th Century Country French Carved Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare form of Country French desk. The desk features what appears to be oak and walnut construction and a parquet top with antique age cracks in the top. WE CAN REPAIR THIS ...
Category

1780s French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Diminutive Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th century country French provincial style diminutive writing table or desk crafted from fruitwood. The desk features a case decorated on all sides with a whimsical carved bra...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Fruitwood Work Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
With its scalloped apron and cabriole legs, this table is has a more dynamic appearance than an ordinary work table, but its single side drawer and pull-out breadboard slide say othe...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

French Provincial Cherry Writing Table or Bedside Table with Drawer, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
French Provincial cherry table with cabriole legs that has mortise and tenon construction and wood peg fasteners. A beautiful late 18th century or early 19th century table left in it...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

1960s Italian Dal Vera Bamboo Rattan Brass French Riviera Organic Writing Desk
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern writing table or desk in bamboo and wicker rattan with 2 side drawers with typical brass handles from renowned Dal Vera manufacturer. The o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Paint Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk The Amy Howard Collection is a high end, couture line of furniture that was created over twenty...
Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

Louis XV Provincial Walnut Writing/Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Originally a folding base with removable top. Now in a fixed position with a rectangular top with tooled brown leather. Cabriole legs.
Category

1760s French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Provincial Writing Desk from Avignon Shabby Chic or Country
Located in Milano, IT
This authentic 19th-century French Provincial writing desk from Avignon features a beautifully time-worn grey/green patina, offering ver...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Men's Dressing Table, French, 19 th
Located in Nice, FR
Dressing table for men, 19th period, origin France, in beech wood, with lots of drawers, a mirror, this table can make a writing table, a lot of charm. Needs a makeover if you feel l...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Antique Italian Provincial Carved Distressed Cherry Saber Leg Desk Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Provincial Carved Distressed Cherry Wood Saber Leg Desk Console Table. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, dist...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Baker French Provincial Cherry Marquetry Inlay Console Table Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Baker French Provincial Cherry Marquetry Inlay Console Table Desk. Item features shapely saber legs, marquetry inlaid top, solid wood construct...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Small french walnut desk 1900
Located in LYON, FR
An absolutely irresistible small desk, early 20th century, made of solid walnut. It features beautiful grain and an elegant overall appearance. Fully pegged, it also features a drawe...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Bureau Plat
Located in London, England
French walnut bureau plat with aged leather top and gilded brass mounts. France circa 1880.
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Large French Boulle Inlay Partners Desk Writing Table Desks
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a wonderful, sumptuos Boulle style partners desk. The piece is very distinctive and the amount of craftmanship that has gone into making this piece is astounding. The...
Category

1980s Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French solid walnut desk, 1950
Located in LYON, FR
A beautiful solid walnut desk from the 1950s. With its four spindle legs and elegantly grained top, it will easily fit into your home. Completely restored and matte varnished by us....
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Louis XV French Oak Writing Table with Scalloped Shaped Top
Located in Dallas, TX
An 18th century French country Louis XV style writing table-end table. This lovely oak table features a scalloped shaped top, one drawer and cabriole legs.
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

French Empire Faux Marble Legs Leather Top Sconces Bureau Desk with Organizer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Exotic wood faux marble column shape legs French Empire bureau leather top desk with brass sconces. Medium size desk suitable as a console or entry desk or ...
Category

20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire Revival Burr Walnut Kidney Desk Bronze Sphinx Mounts and Malachite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare French Empire Revival style burr walnut with bronze mounts and Malachite pillars kidney desk This is a rare desk and that’s for s...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV Marquetry Writing Table
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful marquetry writing table features a lovely brass banded serpentine top, bronze mounts, and one large drawer. The floral marquetry work is detailed and balanced. The wri...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century French Desk Carved Table with Three Drawers, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
This is an elegant piece with timeless beauty. The dimensions, proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are valuable elements.
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Maitland Smith French Provincial Louis XV Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Maitland Smith Philippines, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware and embossed leather top. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Bamboo, Wood and Rattan Writing Table Desk with Drawers, Italy 1970s
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern bamboo and wicker desk with three drawers, a large one and two small ones, finished on 4 sides making it perfect as stand alone or against ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Antique French Provincial Leather Top Painted Kneehole Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dynamic 19th century kneehole desk with a brown tooled leather top over a three piece pedestal base with nine drawers and two pullout trays...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

French Provincial desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Camard, Dal Vera, and Dos Gallos Studio. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $675 and tops out at $30,579 while the average work can sell for $3,051.

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