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.
Framed Bird's Eye Map of Paris After Michel-Étienne Turgot 8 Ft
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare and dramatic 19th century framed engraving of the 1739 "Plan de Paris", after French magistrate Michel-Étienne Turgot (France 1690-1751). Rendered in a intricate birds-eye 1:4...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Loto Zoologique Game Box Lid, Chromolithograph, framed, circa 1900
By Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original French children’s game box lid – Loto Zoologique – chromolithograph printed circa 1900, framed. A “Loto Zoologique” is a traditional French educational picture-lotto boar...
Wood, Paper
Birds on a Wire framed print by Hector Giacomelli originally Ca 1880, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a digitally remastered framed Print of a panorama called "Birds on a Wire" painted by Hector Giacomelli, taken from the 19th Century original, Circa 1880.. The print is mad...
Wood, Paper
Loto des Paysages French Game Box Lid, Chromolithograph, framed, circa 1900
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original French children’s game box lid – Loto des Paysages – chromolithograph printed, circa 1900, framed. A “Loto des Paysages” is a traditional French educational picture-lotto...
Wood, Paper
$960Sale Price|25% Off
Brunschwig & Fils Hand-Printed Yellow Kanchou Mimosa Wallpaper Double Roll 2002
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed yellow Kanchou wallpaper, floral, avian, parrots. 2002. Design features lovely yellow background and a large floral a...
Paper
$1,432Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brunschwig & Fils Blue Floral Chiltern Tring Wallpaper Hand-Printed in England
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils blue floral Chiltern "Tring" wallpaper hand-printed in England, 1989. Three rolls as pictured. Two rolls are in unopened packaging, noted as 11 yards by 20.5". Thir...
Paper
$1,710Sale Price|25% Off
Pair of Framed Denis Diderot Colored Horse Carriages
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of prints from the "Encyclopedie ou Dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers, par une Societe de Gens de lettres". The originals published between 1751 and 1...
Paint, Paper
Limited Ed. Signed Fanch (Francois Ledan) Lithograph Atelier de Cezanne Artwork
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Limited Ed. Signed Fanch (Francois Ledan) Lithograph Atelier de Cezanne Artwork. Item featured is signed to bottom right corner, limited numbered edition 220/395, "Large original sig...
Glass, Paper
$2,684Sale Price / set|44% Off
Vintage Scalamandre Trompe L’Oeil Normandy Blue Ribbon, French Wallpaper, 1986
By Scalamandre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Scalamandre trompe L’Oeil Normandy blue ribbon, French wallpaper, 1986. Equivalent to 10+ single rolls at 5 yards each. Totals more than 50...
Paper
$536Sale Price|20% Off
Brunschwig & Fils Hand-Printed Cherubin et Lapins, Wallpaper, Angels and Rabbits
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed Cherubin et Lapins, wallpaper, angels and rabbits, 2000. Vintage, rare, out of print design featuring alternating scenes of rabbits and cherubs surroun...
Paper
French 18th Century Park Scene Lithograph
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic French 18th century lithograph of a daily French life scene in a park. This item is in its original frame. Great addition to your Class...
Glass, Paper
Italian French Architecture Priveè by Cesar Daly Hand Painted Print 1 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing French private architecture and, precisely, a the design of a 19th century suburban villa under Napoleon III by Casar Daly. Together with anot...
Paper
Italian Provencal French Style Architecture Hand Painted Print '1 of 4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing French architecture and, precisely, a house in Billancourt, a commune in the Somme department in Northern France. Together with the other three...
Paper
PARIS ETCHING SOCIETY - Vintage Print - Signed - Unframed - U.S. - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
PARIS ETCHING SOCIETY - Sydney Z. Lucas - Post Impressionist style color print on paper - artist signed lower right - titled in French lower left - conta...
Paper
1960s Raoul Dufy Interior at Nice Lithograph
By Raoul Dufy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raoul Dufy lithograph signed by the artist himself - Interior at Nice. The south of France depicted in a charmingly intimate interior. Custom fra...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Italian French Architecture Priveè by Cesar Daly Hand Painted Print 2 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing French private architecture and, precisely, a the design of a 19th century suburban villa under Napoleon III by Casar Daly. Together with anot...
Paper
Italian Provencal French Style Architecture Hand Painted Print '4 of 4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing French architecture and, precisely, a house in Fervaques, a former commune in the Calvados (Normandy, France). Together with other three prints...
Paper
Italian Provencal French Style Architecture Hand Painted Print '2 of 4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing French architecture and, precisely, a Maison de medecin in Pontonx-sur-l'Adour, a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Toget...
Paper
$645Sale Price|20% Off
French Decorative Cast Iron Plate with Cow Calf and Farmer, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
This cast iron engraving plate was probably made for an agricultural contest. 19th Century, France. The agricultural comices (or agricultural shows...
Iron
19th Century ‘Etude de Nature Mort’ Hunting Trophy Lithograph
Located in South Paris, ME
Really stunning large print — one of a set of three hunting trophy lithographs. After Jean-Baptiste Oudre (1686-1755), 'Etude de Nature Morte’ a hand colored 19th Century lithograph ...
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
19th Century ‘Etude de Nature Mort’ Hunting Trophy Lithograph
Located in South Paris, ME
Really stunning large print — one of a set of three hunting trophy lithographs. After Jean-Baptiste Oudre (1686-1755), 'Etude de Nature Morte’ a hand colored 19th Century lithograph ...
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
$825Sale Price / item|25% Off
Brunschwig & Fils Hand-Printed Cherubin et Lapins, Wallpaper, Angels and Rabbits
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed Cherubin et Lapins, wallpaper, angels and rabbits, 2000. Lovely yellow background with blue figuration. Vintage, rare, out of print design featuring al...
Paper
Mixed Media Still Life on Board
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mixed media still life with enhance lithographic oranges on a faux silver leaf background. Presented in an impressive carved wood frame.
Paint
$316Sale Price|20% Off
"La Pleine Vendange", French Grape Harvest-Hand Watercolored
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage print "La Pleine Vendange" or "The Full Harvest" is hand watercolored and depicts the harvesting of grapes in France. It is in a solid black and gold frame. Width-24.5" ...
Paper, Wood
Cauchoise de Bolbec La Normandie 1929 French Framed Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Cauchoise de Bolbec La Normandie 1929 French Framed Print This print measures: 16 wide x 1 deep x 22 inches high This print is in Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos i...
Wood, Paper
$1,450 / set
3 Chromo Lithographs - Lemercier Paris
By Imp. Lemercier et Cie
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful silk mats and frames. Information on back of each piece. Lemercier Paris
Silk
Italian Provencal French Style Architecture Hand Painted Print '3 of 4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Elegant and refined print representing french architecture and, precisely, a house Poissy a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France. Together with other three prints,...
Paper
1960s Framed 'Normandy Farm' Lithograph
By Raoul Dufy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raoul Dufy "Normandy Farm" Lithograph signed by the artist. Charming and pastoral in technique and composition. Custom framed in cerused oak with hand-cut 4-ply art mat. For t...
Glass, Oak, Paper
Framed Antique French Chair Print
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This refined framed antique print depicts a finely detailed French chair, capturing the elegance and decorative sophistication associated with 18th-century French furniture design. R...
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century ‘Etude de Nature Mort’ Hunting Trophy Lithograph
Located in South Paris, ME
Really stunning large print — one of a set of three hunting trophy lithographs. After Jean-Baptiste Oudre (1686-1755), 'Etude de Nature Morte’ a hand colored 19th Century lithograph ...
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
Framed Antique French Commode Print
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This distinguished framed antique French commode print beautifully captures the elegance and craftsmanship of 18th-century French decorative art...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Framed Antique French Chair Print
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant framed antique print presents a classic French chair design, beautifully rendered with attention to ornamental detail and proportion. The illustration captures the refin...
Glass, Wood, Paper