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French Provincial Drawings

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
Set of Two Ornithological Engravings – Early 20th Century - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A stunning set of two early 20th-century ornithological plates, depicting the male Senegal oriole and the Cape starling. These birds are illustrated with remarkable precision and ele...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Milk Glass, Paper

Attr. Constantine Of Aix, Animated Landscape With Roman Soldiers, 18th/19th Cent
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Rocky landscape animated by Roman soldiers in armor: pen and ink wash drawing, gouache or watercolor, in a gilded wooden frame from the Louis XVI period Drawing attributed to Jean A...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Paper

Tall Impressionist Portrait Drawing of a Frenchman, Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tall portrait painting on paper of a French man. The young man is wearing a long sleeve red and a white stripe shirt. His sleeves are pulled up to his elbows, and a red belt cinches ...
Category

20th Century American French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Paint, Paper

19th Century Pencil Drawing of a Figure on a Path with a Windmill Beyond
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Nicely executed landscape pencil drawing from the, 19th century. Most likely French school. It is expertly matted and framed. There is a signature and date in the lower right, but th...
Category

1880s French Antique French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Paper

Late 19th Pastel Portrait Young Spanish Woman by Bernard Perot
Located in Marseille, FR
Late 19th pastel portrait young Spanish woman with fan by Bernard Perot drawing.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Paste

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Lorenzo Rocheggiani "Marte" 18/19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Lorenzo Rocchegianni Italian engraving "Marte" Measures: 65cm x 45cm with frame Very good condition.
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Lorenzo Rocheggiani "Marte" 18/19th Century
Lorenzo Rocheggiani "Marte" 18/19th Century
H 25.6 in W 17.72 in D 3.15 in
Early 20th Century Japanese Black and White Paper Print of Antique Screen
Located in Brescia, IT
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Early 20th Century Blueprint by John Alden
By John G. Alden
Located in Norwell, MA
Early 20th century blueprint by John Alden of a General Seafoods Corp. trawler dated 2/24/37. Hull Lines are shown from bow, profile and bottom views. Nicely framed. Scale: 1/4 inch ...
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Early 20th Century French Provincial Drawings

Late 19th Century Academic Drawing of Homer
Located in Hudson, NY
This drawing most likely French comes from the late 19th century, circa 1880. The drawing is well completed and shows the man as a living blind scholar in life and not as a classical...
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Late 19th Century Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Fine Large Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century French Academic Drawing
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine drawing while unsigned is an excellent example of sketch work done in sanguine as preparatory work for large finished paintings. Created in France during the days of artist...
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Late 18th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Wood, Paper

Early 20th Century Pastel of an Ocean View Seascape
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Intriguing painting of a sea view. Wonderful approach to water and sky. It is a gouache on paper, framed in a wooden gilded frame behind glass. Atm...
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1920s French Vintage French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Glass, Pine, Paper

18th Century French Drawing
Located in Madrid, ES
18th Century French Drawing 18TH CENTURY FRENCH DRAWING PORTRAIT OF A LADY FROM THE 18TH CENTURY DONE IN PASTEL THE FRAME IS BACK IN GOLDEN WOOD ...
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18th Century French Drawing
18th Century French Drawing
H 27.56 in W 20.48 in D 1.97 in
Drawing, China, 19th Century on Paper, Art Asia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing, China, 19th century on paper, Art Asia Drawing Measures: H 33.5cm, W 24.5cm Carton H 50.5cm, W 41.5cm
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Late 19th Century Asian Antique French Provincial Drawings

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18th Century Oil on Canvas Italian Antique Landscape Painting, 1750
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Antique Italian painting from 18th century. Framework oil on canvas, on the first canvas, depicting a view with characters, animals and ruins of good pictorial quality. Large size fr...
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1750s Italian Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Canvas

18th-Century Dated Drawing – Portrait of a Young Woman (May 6, 1780-70?)
Located in Madrid, ES
An intriguing 18th-century drawing, dated May 6, 1780 (or possibly 1770). This delicate artwork depicts the portrait of a young woman, executed with exceptional skill and attention t...
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Late 18th Century Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Flanders tapestry depicting a landscape, 18th century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Flanders tapestry depicting a landscape, 18th century
Category

Late 18th Century Belgian Antique French Provincial Drawings

Materials

Wool

France 18th Century Wallpaper with Landscape Scenes in Turquoise Color
Located in Brescia, IT
It is not easy to find this kind of hand drawed and hand-made French wallpaper in good conditions. The shining turquoise and the scenes of the games of the characters and jugglers i...
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Mid-18th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Previously Available Items
Framed French Etchings, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French etchings in nice wood gold frame. We have other similar set in our listing so collect them all.
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Early 20th Century French French Provincial Drawings

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Framed French Etchings, a Pair
Framed French Etchings, a Pair
H 15.5 in W 18.75 in D 1 in
French Etchings Framed, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French etchings in nice wood gold frame. We have other similar set in our listing so collect them all. Art: measures: 12.5" x 9".
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French Etchings Framed, a Pair
French Etchings Framed, a Pair
H 15.5 in W 18.75 in D 0.75 in
Six French 19th Century Architectural Engravings
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of six French late 19th century architectural engravings. These unusual and highly decorative engravings are of architectural drawings fo...
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19th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Set of Three 18th Century French Provincial Pastel Portraits of Women
Located in Doylestown, PA
Three enchanting 18th century French oil-pastel portraits of women, two with their pets. All by the same hand, though the artist is unknown. In early frames behind period wavy glass.
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18th Century French Antique French Provincial Drawings

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Paper

Pair of French Monochromatic Prints 'Etchings'
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Pair of French monochromatic prints (Etchings) A beautiful pair of Prints (etchings) of a French farm yard including various farm animals such as rams, sheep and cows. Gold frames ...
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Impressionist Painting of Yellow Roses by C. Dore, French, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous painting or drawing of yellow roses. Signed C.Dore bottom right. Water color on paper Presented in a distressed 18th century giltwood frame The measurement given...
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Pair of 18th Century French Folk Art Pastel Portraits
Located in Buisson, FR
Nice pair of pastel portraits, France, circa 1750. Weathered, small losses and old repairs.Small cracks in the paper.  
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Signed Jouve Drawing
Located in Miami, FL
Elephant designed By Paul JOUVE in black frame. Drawing : 9 1/4"H,7 1/2"L Frame: 17"H, 15"L Have a look on our large collection of Paul JOUVE gravures: Images 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...
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20th Century French French Provincial Drawings

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Signed Jouve Drawing
H 17 in W 15 in

French Provincial drawings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial drawings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage drawings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial drawings made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 drawings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $151 and tops out at $2,161 while the average work can sell for $750.

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