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.
Mural Box or Wall Vide Poche, from France 19th Century, Brown Color Painted
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide poche is a mural Vide poche or box, this is setting on the wall. Made in France in the 19th century, it has been made in Brown Painted wood.
Wood
1880s French Wooden Display Case
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden display case from France, produced circa 1880. This wall hanging display board stands five feet four inches tall, featuring two swinging w...
Wood
$1,882Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 10.04 in D 7.88 in
Buccellati Oval Silver Vide Poche or Tray, Italy Late 20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Buccellati Hammered Silver Vide Poche / Tray Italy Late 20th Century Fully marked Buccellati 800 Made In Italy
Silver
$1,235Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.79 in W 6.3 in D 7.88 in
Guido Gambone Ceramic Decorative Cup Vide-Poches or wall decoration 1950's
Located in Paris, FR
Guido Gambone (1909-1969) Hand enameled geometric decor on grey glazed ceramic. Can be used as vide-poche or wall decor Signed Gambone, Italy with donkey mark. Nice condition Guido G...
Ceramic
Butterfly Taxidermy Entomology Display Cases
Located in Vienna, AT
Framed butterfly collection featuring 10 butterflies with type of butterfly underneath each. Mounted in a shadowbox frame. Price for both.
Glass, Hardwood
Black Oak Wallie Wall Drawer by Amalie Skov Rahbæk
Located in Geneve, CH
Black oak Wallie wall drawer by Amalie Skov Rahbæk Materials: Oak, metal. Dimensions: D 22.5 x W 30 x H 10 cm Available in oak, black oak or walnut. ...
Metal
$4,950
H 81.5 in W 41.5 in D 21 in
Hans Wegner Danish Teak Single Column Wall Unit / Room Divider with Display Case
Located in Kensington, MD
Hans Wegner Danish Teak Single Column Wall Unit / Room Divider with Display Case Use alone or add to your wall system with this single column unit in t...
Teak
$15,000
H 49.75 in W 35.25 in D 15 in
Italian Neoclassical Painted and Gilt Wood Arched Glass Display Case, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical gilt carved wood and painted arched glass display case with flanking acorn finials, bell flowers, original glass, interior adjustable shelves, and resting on cla...
Gesso, Glass, Giltwood
Extra Long White Oak Solid Display Shelve
By Finn Juhl, Figure Ground, Hans J. Wegner, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
You ever want that pefect oversize bookshelve that can frame the and organize your most precious items. Built for 18" Books or that vintage typewriter or a sculpture you've been want...
Oak, Walnut
Butterfly Display Box with Danaus Chrysippus, Black Frame, 2010+
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your space with this exquisite butterfly display box featuring a Danaus chrysippus butterfly from the Philippines. This preserved specimen is elegantly mounted between two cr...
Other
Bronze Patinated Vide-Poche, Mid Century, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant tripode vide-poche Garouste et Bonetti Era, circa 1980, France. Patinated bronze in good original condition. Dimensions: 10 cm H, 10 cm diameter. All purchases are covered by...
Bronze
19th-C. French Neo-Classical Style Apothecary Display Wall Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French wall mounted display cabinet with elaborate marquetry throughout the body. The back splash is mirrored. It has lovely neo-classical elements. It is a b...
Mirror, Fruitwood, Satinwood
$816
H 12.21 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Georges Pelletier Ceramic Vide-Poche or Decorative Wall Plate - 1970
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid Century - Vintage - Ceramic Measures : 31x31cm H:5cm Material : Ceramic Decorative plate or trinket dish by the ceramist Georges Pelletier, France. Handcrafted ceramic with a re...
Ceramic
Museum Display of Exotic Butterflies
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Late 19th Century to early 20th Century museum display of exotic butterflies. An impressive shadowbox displaying a variety of pinned and preserved butterflies, most with paper labels...
Natural Fiber, Wood
Set of Six Pressed Herbal Specimen
Located in Doylestown, PA
A set of 6 framed herbal specimen, dated 1935-1936, probably French.
Paper