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.
$1,250Sale Price|50% Off
Antique Ebony Tray Table with Glass Top- 3 Pieces
Located in Malibu, CA
19th century ebonized paper mâché tray which fits into the elegant wood tray table. The paper mache tray has gilt edges & mother of pearl inlay. There is an custom glass top, all...
Glass, Hardwood
Country French Provincial Style Two-Tier Tole Tray Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming country French provincial painted two-tier tray table featuring a dramatic mustard yellow finish. Crafted in Italy from painted tole metal. Each tray has a galleried edge an...
Metal
Two Tier French Trolley
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very nice two tier gilt metal trolley with glass bases, glass two handles lift off tray with gilt metal edge and two handles, in overall very good original condition. 25" high 14"...
Brass
$881Sale Price|25% Off
Hand Carved Glass-Top Walnut Tea Tray Table with Deep Patina, Antique
Located in Lomita, CA
This elegant oval tea table offers timeless charm with its delicately hand-carved floral surface, gracefully curved cabriole legs, and pierced apron. Crafted from solid wood and fini...
Walnut
Antique French Louis XVI Neoclassical Inlaid Glass Tray Top Table
Located in Forney, TX
A sophisticated French antique Louis XVI style Neoclassical taste convertible mahogany serving table. Born in Paris, France in the early 20th century, hand-crafted of warm, rich, solid mahogany wood, the elegant Parisan dessert server / cocktail drinks bar cart / tea table having a large removable tray top with brass handles and glass bottom, resting on a two tiered table, the upper and lower tier tabletop featuring striking mahogany with stunning grain detail, warm hue, rich coloring, and beautifully aged patina that adds a rich dark warmth, distinctive depth and mellow luminous sheen that can only be acquired over long periods of time. The upper level is framed by intricate exotic boxwood and ebony banding and stringing raised rim, the lower level having four drop down shelves that can act as extensions, each shelf having serpentine shaped stepped molded edge and patinated brass hardware, all rising on four squared tapered legs garnished with four rows of satinwood sting inlay. The fine antique serving table...
Brass
$2,077 / set
H 19.3 in W 17.33 in D 15.36 in
Nest of Three Brass & Glass Trolley Tables by Maison Bagues France, Midcentury
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of three original mid century modern Maison Bagues trolley nested tables A very good looking highl...
Brass
$1,523
H 22.64 in Dm 22.05 in
ANTIQUE HAND CARVED LIBERTY'S LONDON MOROCCAN FOLDING TRAY TABLE ZODIAC ETCHINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this ornately hand carved Moroccan brass tray table retailed through Liberty's in the 1880-1900's with Zodia...
Brass
$525
H 1.5 in W 23.5 in D 14.4 in
Early 20th Century French Art Populaire Carved Walnut Tray Table with Glass Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Behold, the timeless elegance of this exquisite "art populaire" tray, perfect for transporting dishes to your table with grace and style. Hand carved in France circa 1920, this wonde...
Glass, Walnut, Fabric
Circa 1930s English Tray Top Table with Faux Bamboo Base
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this circa 1930s tray top table has a black and gilded faux bamboo base with an X-form stretcher. Removable tray top has a deep green painted finish with gilded pai...
Wood
$1,595
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 19 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...
Tin
$1,695
H 17.25 in W 34.13 in D 26.88 in
Baker Furniture Style Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Tole Tray Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie coffee or cocktail table In the manner of Baker furniture USA, Circa 1960s Bamboo base, with faux bamboo green-lacquered tole ...
Bamboo, Lacquer
$750
H 24.75 in W 30.25 in D 22.5 in
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Style Lacquered and Gilt Tole Tray Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Italian Chinoiserie style black lacquered tole tray table with folding ebonized wood base. It features a delightful, intricately hand-painted design with butterflies and flowers in g...
Metal
English Chinoiserie Tole Tray Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of an English Victorian Tole Tray decorated with a Chinoiserie theme. The tray is in overall very good condition with n...
Metal
$720Sale Price|77% Off
H 24 in Dm 30.5 in
Mughal Empire Antique Brass Tray Table with Wooden Folding Stand
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-480 Mughal Empire antique brass tray with later date carved wooden folding stand. Brass top is decorated with repousse foliate and floral motif. Tray...
Brass
$350
H 0.75 in W 16.5 in D 12.5 in
Antique English Tole Tea Tray with Diapered Reserves & Rolled Rim, 1840
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Rectangular tole tea tray with rolled rim painted with diapered reserves and pierced on the narrow ends with handle grips. England, circa 1840.
Enamel, Tin
English Painted Tole Tray Table, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
English 19th century painted round tall tray with sixteen sides. The tray is beautifully hand painted tole with floral and leaf motif, resting on later ebonized and parcel gilt bamb...
Metal
A Decoratively Carved Butlers Table, Tray on Stand
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Decoratively Carved Butlers Table, Tray on Stand This is an attractive piece, it has a floor standing easily collapsable stand that would have b...
Mahogany
1970s Italian Bamboo Rattan Round Folding Serving Bar Tray Side Table
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Vittorio Bonacina, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern folding tray side table. Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece is in the typical style of Franco Albini, Adrien Audoux and Vittori...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Sold
H 3.15 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
1960s Italian Bamboo Rattan Brass Bohemian French Riviera Serving Cocktail Tray
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Vittorio Bonacina
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern serving cocktail bar tray with polished brass rim. Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece is in the typical style where the organic...
Brass
Elegant Baker Furniture Fruitwood Tray Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant and beautifully made French style tray top table by Baker Furniture. The serpentine shape with a clever built in lift able tray top with front drawer. The table with four gra...
Brass
French Vintage Fruitwood Drink Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A delightful solid fruitwood accent table from 1930s France. Incredible expression can be found in the grain throughout the carefully selected fruitwood. The rectangular table top ha...
Wood, Hardwood, Fruitwood
English 19th Century Tilt Top Drink Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This darling little drink table was crafted in England during the 19th century and has so much character. The top has the ability to tilt up with a latch on the underside, giving you...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 28.75 in D 20.28 in
ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPiRE NAPOLEON III DRINKS SERVING TRAY TABLE WITH BRASS FITTINGS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very well made French Empire Napoleon III butlers serving table wi...
Brass
Sold
H 2.37 in W 12.21 in D 18.12 in
1960s Italian Bamboo Rattan Brass Bohemian French Riviera Serving Cocktail Tray
By Gabriella Crespi, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Vittorio Bonacina, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern serving cocktail bar tray with polished brass rim probably by the Italian Gabriella Crespi. Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Sold
H 27.25 in W 18.25 in D 24 in
French Country Walnut Scalloped Side End Accent Table Brass Edge Provincial
Located in Dayton, OH
A stunning French inspired accent table. Made from walnut with an inset matchbooked top featuring a patinated brass scalloped edge. The table is supported by long cabriole legs conne...
Brass
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30.5 in D 20.5 in
Henredon Country French Rectangular Tea Side Table Oak Pull Out Tray 40-7005
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Henredon country French accent table, circa 1980s. Made from oak with a rectangular inset top featuring matchbook veneer over a serpentine apron and graceful swooping cabriole legs. ...
Oak
French Walnut Wine Tray Carved with Vine Leaves
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French walnut wine tray carved with vine leaves A remarkable piece, the tray is made from 2 pieces of walnut and deeply carved with vine leaves A superb quality piece in good con...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 18 in
Art Decó French Neoclassical Mahogany Showcase Tea Table or Serving Table, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage neoclassical convertible mahogany tea table, French, circa 1920. Square tapered legs in mahogany, glass tray tabletop and shelves, all with delicate bands of brass inlay fo...
Brass