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.
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
Majolica Saint Amand Bird Plate, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely Majolica plate with bird and insect, leaves signed Saint Amand, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Saint Amand Bird Plate, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely Majolica plate with bird and insect, leaves signed Saint Amand, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Cherries Plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clément
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica cherries plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clément, circa 1900.
Ceramic
$720Sale Price|20% Off
Original Oil Painting of a French Cote d'Azur Village
Located in Miami, FL
A beautifully executed Impressionist oil on canvas depicting the timeless hillside village of Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Painted with expressive palette knife and brushwor...
Giltwood, Paint
Antique French Provincial Oil on Canvas Painting, Signed, Circa 1920s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique French provincial oil Painting. Scene of the country side with 2 small houses near a river in a forest. South of France, Province. Oil...
Canvas
Vintage Handcrafted Rattan Carpet Beater Folk Art Decorative Wall Object
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Rattan Carpet Beater, Early 20th Century – Functional Folk Art & Decorative Wall Object. A beautifully handwoven rattan carpet beater, also known as a rug beater,...
Rattan
Pair of 20th Century Italian Painted Shutters
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of early 20th Century Italian painted shutters, The exterior in old weathered paint and the interior with a charming view of a rural harbour scene. Circa 1930.
Wood
French Faience Oyster Plate with Bird Moustiers Style Circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
French faience oyster plate with Bird Moustiers style signed Martres Tolosane, circa 1940.
Faience
$716Sale Price|20% Off
John Ogilby Oxford to Salisbury Road Map #82 Circa 1675
By John Ogilby
Located in Atlanta, GA
John Ogilby (Scottish, 1600-1676). - Circa 1675 This map is part of his Britannica publication and is #82. "The road map was first popularised by John Ogilby (1600-1676), Scotsm...
Burl
19th Century Majolica Windmill Wall Pocket Choisy Le Roi
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica Windmill & yellow flowers Wall Pocket signed Choisy Le Roi.
Ceramic
The French Hunter Year 1931 Le Chasseur Francais French Magazine Cuisine
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Le Chasseur Francais The French Hunter. Year 1931 (12 Numbers - Complete Year 1931) from January 1931 to Dec 1931. Collective French text Published by Le Chasseur Français, Bounded in a Margarine Solo handcrafted cover to protect the old magazines...
Paper
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
Majolica Saint Amand Bird Plate, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely Majolica plate with bird and insect, leaves signed Saint Amand, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Unique French Fromage Boards with Stained Circles on Reclaimed Pine – Set of 3
Located in IT
This unique set of three French fromage boards, originally used for holding cheese, has developed stunning yellow-toned circular stains over time, leaving behind a striking and natur...
Pine, Reclaimed Wood
Majolica Saint Amand Bird Plate, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely Majolica plate with bird and insect, leaves signed Saint Amand, circa 1890.
Ceramic
$1,317Sale Price|20% Off
French Decorative Iron Wall Sculpture or Applique, Urn and Floral Motif
Located in Sherborne, GB
Decorative iron wall sculpture or applique, urn and floral motif. This wrought iron example of artisan craftsmanship. It makes a graphic, but soft statement.
Iron
Antique Aubusson Door-Window Panel
Located in Evanston, IL
French Aubusson door-window panel. Tapestry manufacture at Aubusson and in the upper valley of the Creuse in central France. They have developed from looms in isolated family works...
Wool
French Large Camaïeu Bleu Grisaille Painting
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French large Camaïeu Bleu Grisaille painting. The colour is treated in a monochromatic way. Tableau Grisaille painting in shades of Camaïeu blue evoking ...
Wood, Canvas
$3,240 / set
Pair of Antique Walnut Wall Plaques circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
These handsome wall plaques are very well executed. There is great attention paid to detail in these birds.
Walnut
Beautiful Stained Glass VENERABLE ANNE-MARIE RIVIER French 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful Stained glass VENERABLE ANNE-MARIE RIVIER French 19th century with Our Lady and angels, stained glass window composed of glass of different colors, lead rim and friezes. S...
Art Glass
Set of Four Antique Wooden Duck Silhouettes, 25cm for Chair Decor
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Wooden silhouettes in the shape of a duck, to be applied on the back of the chairs, or elsewhere. Have you an idea? O/2879.
Wood
Trio of Marble French Horse Name Plaques 'Bianca/Norma/Cobb'
Located in London, GB
Rare and unusual marble plaques originally used for beloved horses. French, early 20th century. "Norma", 'Bianca" and "Cobb" are available. Price per plaque.
Marble
Portrait of Samuel Bernard 1729
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Samuel Bernard, Chevalier de l'ordre de Saint Michel, comte de Coubert Portrait of Samuel Bernard, Counselor of State by Pierre Imbert Drevet. 1729
Other
Bone Inlaid Wall Art in Blue Resin with Celtic Dragon Pattern- Instock
Located in New York City, NY
Feast your eyes on our Bone Inlaid Pattern Wall Art in Blue Resin. This isn't just art; it's a mesmerizing blend of tradition and contemporary design. Imagine multiple Celtic dragons...
Bone