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.
Romweber French Provincial Louis XV Burl Wood Vanity, Circa 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style vanity or writing desk By Romweber USA, Circa 1920s Stunning book-matched exotic burled Acacia wood, with carved cabriole legs, and...
Brass
French Provincial Vanity Secretary or Ladies Desk w/Distressed Antiqued Finish
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Mid-20th Century French Provincial & Country style vanity, secretary, or Ladies Desk with a sea green tint & an all-over distressed antiqued or ceruse finish, double doors ...
Brass
Antique dressing table, Western Europe, around 1910.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique dressing table from the early 20th century made in the Provencal style. The piece of furniture has three drawers under the top, all lo...
Walnut, Glass
Romweber Style French Provincial Louis XV Carved Satinwood Vanity, Circa 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style kidney shaped vanity or ladies writing desk In the manner of Romweber USA, Circa 1920s Beautiful carved satinwood, with original painte...
Brass
Outstanding French Satinwood Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A top quality French satinwood parquetry and tulipwood inlaid dressing table, kidney shaped with serpentine front, two cupboard doors and three drawers, gilt bronze mounts, handles, ...
Satinwood
19th C Louis XV Style Coiffeuse or Table de Toilette
Located in Miami, FL
French nineteenth century Louis XV vanity dressing table, poudreuse or coiffeuse standing on four slender tapering cabriole legs. The to...
Wood
Fine French Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful French kidney shaped dressing table, with parquetry veneers, U shaped undertier, wonderful mounts and swing mirror , some foxing to the original mirror (can be replaced ...
Walnut
Super French Painted Bergere Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good French kidney shaped dressing table with double bergere back, six legs with U shaped stretcher, single drawer, oval swing mirror (slight foxing), original paint, in very ...
Beech
Very Fine Carved Mahogany 3 drawers c1940s Vanity Console Table Writing Desk
By Kittinger Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Carved Mahogany 3 drawers c1940s Vanity Console Table Writing Desk
Mahogany
19th Century French Wooden Shaving Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Useful both for shaving or applying makeup. The mirror can be tilted to suit many uses and is placed in an elegant round and carved frame with a brass hardware accent. This piece from nineteenth-century France, tinted to a mahogany color, comes with a curved stand and legs and a small table adds a useful feature to keep things at hand and to turn an everyday activity into a time for enjoyment and self...
Brass
$4,099
H 61.03 in W 39.38 in D 21.07 in
FULLY RESTORED AESTHETIC MOVEMENT AMBOYNA EBONY ANTiQUE VICTORIAN DRESSING TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, hand made in England Aesthetic Movement Dressing table...
Mirror, Amboyna
$2,722 / set
H 62.41 in W 45.48 in D 14.57 in
Art Deco Amsterdamse School Dressing Table or Vanity by J.J. Zijfers, 1920s
By J.J. Zijfers
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Amsterdamse School dressing table or vanity. Design by J.J. Zijfers Amsterdam. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base with original drawer...
Mirror, Macassar, Oak
English Bamboo Dressing Table
Located in New York, NY
Impressive English bamboo dressing table adorned with beveled mirror. Beautifully lacquered top in a richly textured floral chinoiserie motif w...
Bamboo
$2,850
H 85 in W 56 in D 17 in
French Louis XV Style Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Etched Mirror Vanity Circa 1920's
Located in Long Branch, NJ
French Louis XV Style Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Etched Mirror Vanity Circa 1920's Dimensions : 85" tall X 56" Wide X 17" Deep This stunning vanity was made in France in the 1920's a...
Marble
$471Sale Price|50% Off
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Birch, Mahogany
Mid-Century African Mahogany Vanity or Desk by E. Gomme for G-Plan
By G-Plan, Ebenezer Gomme
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern vanity/desk designed by E. Gomme for G-Plan in the United Kingdom, circa 1950s. This exquisite vanity is a true masterpiece and features four intricately crafted drawers...
Brass
Fine French Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful French kidney shaped dressing table, with parquetry veneers, U shaped undertier, wonderful mounts and swing mirror , some foxing to the original mirror (can be replaced ...
Walnut
French Art Deco Vanity or Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco vanity or dressing table. Design in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Striking French design from the 1930s. Black lacquered walnut and burl base wit...
Granite, Marble, Brass
$2,000
H 31 in W 37 in D 17.25 in
Antique French Louis Philippe Provincial Maple Wash Table W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
A charming late 19th-century French Provincial wash table or vanity, made in the style of Louis Philippe and sourced directly from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from sol...
Carrara Marble
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 57 in W 39 in D 17 in
Antique Art Deco Mirrored Tri Fold Vanity Dressing Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Art Deco Mirrored Tri Fold Vanity Dressing Table.
Mirror
Fine French Art Deco Rosewood Dressing Table / Vanity
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French 1930s wooden psyche / vanity with six drawers, one secret drawer, a chrome framed mirror, and chrome baseboard and knobs. The back of the piece is also veneered so it c...
Chrome
LXV Style Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
Made in the French LXV style, this dressing table has been hand carved in solid wood, featuring the ornamental shell of the Rococo period. The design integrates a large adjustable mi...
Wood
Sold
H 29.25 in W 49.75 in D 18 in
Romweber French Provincial Louis XV Burl Wood Vanity and Chair, Circa 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style vanity or writing desk with matching chair By Romweber USA, Circa 1920s Stunning book-matched exotic burled Acacia wood, with carve...
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 30.71 in D 17.92 in
ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPIRE HAND PAINTED 19TH CENTURY OCCASIONAL DRESSiNG ROOM TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original hand painted French Country occasional table which is part of a small suite Circa 189...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 41.25 in W 39.5 in D 19.75 in
19th Century French Parisian Pine Wash Stand Vanity W/ Calacatta Viola Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century French Parisian washstand or vanity, sourced from Provence, France. This piece features a rustic pine storage cabinet topped with stunning Calacatta Vi...
Marble
Antique Wash Stand In Brass And Marble, Circa 1880
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique brass and marble washbasin from circa 1880. High quality brass and marble washbasin with compact proportions. Just right for a smaller bathroom or sink. Solid and strong, and...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 42 in D 20 in
John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Vanity With Flip Up Mirror
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style vanity with flip up mirror By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Carved solid cherry wood, with original brass har...
Brass
French Style Tiger Oak Vanity Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A turn of the century French style vanity made of tiger oak. An elegant oval beveled mirror is adjustable on swan neck supports. A single drawer wi...
Oak
19th Century French Wooden Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
A 19th century French jewelry stand made from wood and a glass top. A delightful patina has spread across the intricately carved time-touched wood that forms its base. A glass lid sw...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 36.5 in D 17 in
Vintage Petite French Provincial Style Cherry Flip Top Vanity Table with Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Petite French Provincial Style Cherry Flip Top Vanity table with mirror. Item features lift top with mirror, nice petite size, 2 dovetailed drawers, cabriole legs, solid bras...
Cherry
Antique French Carved Walnut Dressing/Sewing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
An unusual antique early 20th century French carved walnut dressing/sewing table having a beautiful, shaped chevron inlay top, the locking top lifts to reveal storage compartments an...
Mirror, Walnut
Baker Furniture Italian Provincial Burl Wood Dressing Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Provincial dressing table, vanity, or occasional side table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection Circa 1990s Burl wood, with original brass hardw...
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique French Marquetry Poudreuse or Ladies Vanity
Located in New Orleans, LA
A lovely antique French, Louis XV style, rosewood, kingwood and tulipwood marquetry Poudreuse (or ladies dressing vanity) , the gently scalloped...
Metal, Gold
Walnut Dressing Table, France, c. 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Dressing table, France, approx. 1920. Very good condition. Wood: walnut Dimensions : height to table top 74 cm width 102 cm d. 47 cm.
Walnut