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.
$1,127Sale Price|20% Off
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw High Pedestal Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Brutalist style The low part allowed the sleeves to be inserted to turn the press screw Good antique condition Solid and sound Shippi...
Oak
$911Sale Price|20% Off
Wine Press Screw Pedestals Plant Holder, French, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw. The screw has been embellished with a box decorated with diamond-cut wooden scuptures. Brutalist style Very stylish Dimensions of the top 9.84/9.84 ...
Wood
$911Sale Price|20% Off
Wine Press Screw Pedestals Plant Holder, French, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw. The screw has been embellished with a box decorated with diamond-cut wooden scuptures. Brutalist style Very stylish Dimensions of the top 9.84/9.84 ...
Wood
$1,200 / set
French Pedestals With Marble Tops, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of French pedestals with marble tops. Great addition to your architectural French inspired home and interiors.
Marble
Pair Antique Hand Carved Stone Pillars Columns Posts Base Architectural Pedestal
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair Antique Hand Carved Stone Pillars Columns Posts Base Architectural Pedestal. Rare Gigantic Approx 3500 to 4000 Lbs. Each of 18th century nicely hand carved stone entry pillars e...
Stone, Limestone
$1,776 / set
Pair Variegated Marble Columns
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good pair of twisted column variegated marble pedestals, in very good overall condition. 35.5" high 14" diameter You are welcome to view this item at our showroom, please p...
Marble
$1,000 / item
Wrought Iron Plant Stand 1940
Located in palm beach, FL
Spectacular french wrought iron plant stand featuring a rich gold acanthus metal ?nish. They will bring elegance and nobility to a quality res...
Wrought Iron
Vintage French Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned Free Standing Archway
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Style Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned Free Standing Archway This Vintage French Style Architectural Wood Crafted Dual Columned F...
Wood, Paint
French Traditional Pedestals Paint Classic French Gray, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French traditional pedestals made of wood with gorgeous classic French gray painted finish. Original finish from the 1960s. Add some French style to your design projects.
Wood
French Carved Gilt Corinthian Column This is an18th Century piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Carved Gilt Corinthian Column This is an18th Century piece, the column is fluted and decorated in the Roman style with leaves and scrolls. The column is finished in age darke...
Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Traditional French Style Mirrored Pedestal Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Traditional mirrored pedestal table constructed from beveled mirror and gold gilded wood. Top is mirrored with a small circle cut out. See i...
Mirror, Wood
$1,646Sale Price|47% Off
18th Century Twisted Column Plinth Pedestal Torchere
Located in Sherborne, GB
A stunning rich, textural, sculptural column. It is a gentle twist, hand carved, perfect for showing sculpture, floral displays, adding an ancient ar...
Fruitwood
Vintage French Faux Marble Platform on Wheels
Located in High Point, NC
This wooden platform from turn of the century France evokes an air of vaudeville glamour. The surface of the wood is painted to look like black marble, veined with white — an indication that the platform was likely used in a theatrical setting, as part of a stage show or cabaret. The wheeled base creates mobility, allowing this piece to function perfectly as a temporary stage, moveable bar...
Wood
Pair of Marble Columns in Black Belgian Fossil Marble
Located in London, GB
A quality pair of columns in fossil marble. The circular socle bases with fluted columns and conforming circular capitals. Each piece breaking down to socle, column and capital. Well...
Marble
French 19th Century Carved Marble Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The hand carved black marble pedestal is the perfect accent in any space for an indoor plant or small statue. The top is removable via mortise and tenon j...
Stone, Marble
$4,650Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 43.31 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Pair of white marble columns late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of columns in white marble with natural gray veins, ideal for setting white marble sculptures. French work from the late 19th century. Condition report: In good condition with ...
Marble
French 19th Century Faux Marble Painted Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An infinitely useful square display pedestal from France, 19th century, covered on three sides in meticulously hand-painted faux marble of gently swirled veins blending white and gra...
Wood, Paint
1980's Post-Modern Exotic Marble Column Pedestal
By Steve Chase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful 1980s Post-Modern exotic marble column pedestal features exotic graining and coloration with hues of grey, pink, red and gold. We have a matching pedestal that is sl...
Marble
Grand Tour Marble Columns, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Provenance David J. Bikoff collection, Italy circa 1870 Made with different marbles.
Marble
$6,250 / set
H 43 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Ebony Pedestals, Bronze Mounted Marble Tops, Pair
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Hollywood Regency neoclassical ebony pedestals. Each having bronze mounts and white marble tops. This strong sturdy pair of column form styl...
Bronze
French Marble Column
Located in Essex, MA
The tall column sitting on a socle with square base.
Marble
$998
H 46.07 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Antique carved wood Corinthian Column or pedestal, France ca. 1890
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Vintage wooden Corinthian column with great patina. This pillar was hand crafted around 1890 in France and perfectly suitable as pedestal or plant table. Crafted from high-quality ...
Wood
French 19th Century Marble Column Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous late 19th century carved marble display pedestal from France, to elevate precious artwork, décor, or greenery in your interior. Geometric elements distinguish the capital ...
Marble
A French pair of marble columns pedestals, ca 1900
Located in Delft, NL
A French pair of marble columns pedestals, ca 1900 A pair of marble columns with plateau in bordeaux and white color marble stone with several round vertical bars of marble on a squ...
Marble, Brass
19th Century Pine Demilune Plant Stand
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four tiered plant stand in original green paint with patina and wear from use. Sturdy construction and overall demi-lune form.
Pine, Paint
Pedestal from an old french wine press, circa 1900
Located in LYON, FR
Old wine press screw in the style of Charles Dudouyt transformed into a harness or stand. Very beautiful patina for this very elegant harness or pedestal. It will allow you to place...
Cherry, Oak
Sold
H 48.23 in W 13.19 in D 13.19 in
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw Pedestal Square Support Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Brutalist style with square base and top. Dimension of the top : 11.81 x 11.81 in. (30 x 30 cm) Good antique condition Solid and sound...
Wood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw Pedestal Octogonal Support Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Brutalist style with octogonal base and top. Dimension of the base : 13.39 in. x 13.39 in. (34 x 34 cm) Dimension of the top : 11.81 i...
Wood
Sold
H 44.1 in W 14.18 in D 14.18 in
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw Pedestal Octogonal Support Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Brutalist style with octogonal base and top. Dimension of the base : 14.17 in. x 14.17 in. (36 x 36 cm) Dimension of the top : 11.41 i...
Wood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 17.72 in D 9.85 in
French carved and polychromed column with grapevine decor, France 18th century
Located in ECHT, NL
Polychromed and hand carved decorative column. Ideal for your wine cellar, bar or deli. Made from a single piece of wood. It has grape vine decors carved into it. The paint is still ...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 41.5 in W 12 in D 12 in
Antique Refinished Gilded Solid Oak French Wine Press Screw Pedestals - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Refinished Gilded Solid Oak French Wine Press Screw Pedestals - Pair The Antique Refinished Gilded Solid Oak French Wine Press Screw Pedestals, sold as a pair, are a distinc...
Oak
French Stone Column Garden Pedestal 19th Century
Located in IT
19th Century French Stone garden column pedestal. Could be used outside or inside. Please note this is solid and is therefore very heavy.
Cast Stone
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw Pedestal Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Two trays have been added at the top and bottom of the harness to provide better stability. Brutalist style Good antique condition Sol...
Wood
French 19th Century Wine Press Screw Pedestal Plant Holder
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pedestal wine press screw, 19th century. Brutalist style Good antique condition Solid and sound Shipping: 36 / 36 / 91 cm 16.6 Kg.
Oak
Sold
H 35.5 in Dm 12.5 in
Antique French Pedestal Stand Barley Twist Carved Oak Round Plant Display Column
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French Pedestal Stand BARLEY TWIST Carved Oak Round Plant Display Column. Direct from France, a carved and extremely thick barley t...
Oak
Sold
H 47 in Dm 15 in
Antique French Pedestal Stand Barley Twist Carved Oak Round Plant Display Column
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French Pedestal Stand BARLEY TWIST Carved Oak Round Plant Display Column. Direct from France, a very tall and extremely thick barle...
Oak
1900s French Oak Pedestal
Located in High Point, NC
A turn of the century oak pedestal produced in France, this four columns pedestal makes for an ornate statement. Industriously hand carved, this corinthian inspired piece features th...
Oak