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, Hand-Painted Sign, Wall Hanging
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
French Vintage Mirrored Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage 20th century mirror-back hanging wall shelf in Louis XVI style gold gilt frame. The arched top of the mirror is crowned with a floral garland, transitioning into a lay...
Velvet, Glass, Mirror, Wood
$1,828Sale 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
$1,199Sale 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
$3,142
H 30.12 in W 22.64 in D 6.3 in
Aesthetic Movement Wall Cabinet, Hand-Painted Floral, Walnut, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Aesthetic Movement wall cabinet. Striking English design from the 1890s. Solid walnut frame with original door and drawer. Overall original hand-painted floral d...
Walnut
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
$240Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.25 in W 20.25 in D 4 in
Antique Victorian Shadow Box Wall Hanging With Wax Wreath C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Shadow Box Wall Hanging With Wax Wreath C1900. Measures - 25 1/4" x 20 1/4" x 4". This antique shadow box features a finely craft...
Wood
$377Sale Price|28% Off
H 2.56 in Dm 5.52 in
Hand-Painted Royal Delft Vide-Poche, Blue and White Ceramic Box, 1953
By Royal Delft
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Hand-painted Royal Delft vide-poche, jewelry box or bonbonnière to commemorate the factory’s 300th anniversary (1653-1953). Rare collector’s item. This hand-painted piece showcase...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
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
$750
H 27.5 in W 24.5 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th Century Hand-Painted Hanging Wall Cabinet with Folk Art Detailing
Located in Northport, MI
This charming hand-crafted wall cabinet, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, is a fine example of Central European folk art—likely originating from Hungary or the Transylv...
Wood
$792
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
$425 / set
H 13.5 in W 11.5 in D 0.75 in
Antique Suzani Wall Hanging, Hand-Embroidered Textile, 1920s, Mounted
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional antique intricate hand embroidery Suzani textile, professionally mounted on hand painted wood shadow box , to make beautiful objects of art for wall hanging. Even though ...
Wool, Cotton, Glass, Wood
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