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.
$213Sale Price|20% Off
Small black French Stone Mortar with stone Pestle
Located in Rümmingen, BW
This small French mortar was sourced in the south of France. It's an iconic and traditional kitchen object which is found all over France. Its traditional use was and still is to gri...
Stone
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent signed Filmont, circa 1900.
Terracotta
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Chireno, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Terracotta
$2,850
Painted Ceramic Donkey
Located in Washington, DC
A painted ceramic donkey from the Normandy Region of France.
Ceramic, Paint
Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog Bavent Filmont, circa 1900.
Terracotta
Ceramic Jar by Mado Jolain - France, 1960s
By Mado Jolain
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A Refined cylindrical ceramic jar with a narrow collar, crafted by Mado Jolain and produced for Benoît Guyot’s avant-garde boutique-gallery in Lyon during the early 1960s. Executed i...
Ceramic
Large Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Chireno, TX
Large colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Ita...
Terracotta
Colorful Glazed Terracotta Passata Bowl
Located in Chireno, TX
Colorful glazed terracotta passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in the Italian c...
Terracotta
Very Large Colorful Glazed Earthenware Passata Bowl
Located in Chireno, TX
Very large colorful glazed earthenware passata bowl from Southern Italy (Puglia). This rustic 19th century terracotta bowl was used in ...
Terracotta
$1,000
H 5.25 in W 8 in D 5.25 in
Ceramic Terracotta Sculpture Reclining Nude Figure in the Manner of Henry Moore
By Henry Moore
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Contemporary figural unglazed terracotta sculpture of an abstract reclining figure. An homage to sculptor Henry Moore. Made in 2019 by Oklahoma artist Emily Ladow Reynolds. Dimen...
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
$2,552
H 16.15 in W 18.9 in D 7.49 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Plant Centaur Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Plant Centaur Sculpture, Italy, 1960s Exceptionally rare and very large Mid-Century Italian design ceramic sculpture, made by Aldo Londi fo...
Ceramic, Paint
$870
H 6.3 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
Abstract Tree Brown Ceramic Freeform circa 1970 Stoneware Pottery La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Abstract ceramic form with brown pottery glaze, circa 1970. Elegant colors. Realized in La Borne. Excellent original condition. Dimension: 16 x 14 x 5 cm.
Ceramic
Turkish Ottoman Scene Polychrome Hand Painted Ceramic Vase Kutahya
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A small Kütahya style polychrome hand painted and handcrafted glazed ceramic decorative vase with an Ottoman scene. This is an intricately, hand painted vase that was made in Marmara, Turkey: Kütahya is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted scene with Ottomans princes enjoying the outdoors, surrounded by flowers in burgundy, turquoise, light and dark blue and green foliage. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
$1,856
H 9.45 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Black ceramic Porcelain Sculpture by Tim and Jacqueline Orr, circa 1970
By Tim Orr
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
An elegant porcelain sculpture represented a woman body with mat black glaze decoration by Tim and Jacqueline Orr. Signed at the base "Tim Orr". circa 1970-1980.
Ceramic
19th Century Mortar and Pestle
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Remnants of oxblood red and silver blue banded paint. Original pestle included. Origin: Eastern, United States Period: First half of the 19...
Fruitwood
19Thc Marbleized Stone Ware Piggy Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very early stone ware glazed piggy bank from New England. This is a handmade piggy bank in very good condition.
Pottery
$12,500
H 2.5 in Dm 5.25 in
Lucie Rie & Hans Coper Signed Stamped Yellow Glazed Stoneware Bowl, circa 1950
By Hans Coper, Lucie Rie
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous mustard-yellow glazed stoneware bowl with manganese rim by famed European potters Lucie Rie & Hans Coper. The bowl is signed with each artist's impressed seals on t...
Stoneware
$5,600
H 3.5 in Dm 7.15 in
Otto and Gertrud Natzler Signed Green Lava Glaze Bowl with Original Paper Label
Located in Studio City, CA
A masterful work by famed potters Otto and Gertrud Natzler. This round-shaped footed bowl was wheel thrown and formed by Gertrud and glazed by...
Earthenware
$986
H 6.7 in W 12.6 in D 6.3 in
Italian Midcentury Ceramic Bull Rimini Blu by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury Ceramic Bull Rimini Blu by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s Beautiful bull made of ceramic and painted in "Rimini blue" color...
Ceramic
$1,850 / item
H 26.5 in Dm 14 in
Large Moorish Glazed Ceramic Vase with Arabic Calligraphy Black Writing Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan glazed ceramic vase from Fez. Moorish style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of Art Writing looks calligraphic is called...
Ceramic
Vintage Round Italian Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Majolica Fruit Platter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A colorful jewel toned polychrome majolica platter decorated with various embossed fruits such as peaches, grapes, tomatoes, pears and various green foliage. It has been hand painted...
Ceramic, Paint
Thermometer
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This beautiful ceramic object is emblematic of the work of Mithé Espelt, a French artist who embellishes the everyday with her refined, luminous objects. Crackled gilding is one of t...
Enamel, Gold Leaf
French Majolica Green Pumpkin Gourd (Decorative Antique Coin Piggy Bank)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Add a touch of French elegance to your collection with this exquisite Majolica green pumpkin gourd coin bank. Crafted in France, this antique decorative piece is both charming and fu...
Majolica
French Country Pitcher, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pitcher with 3 handles and a spout from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with green splatter glazed decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Tureen, Savoie Region
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience tureen with lid, from the Savoie region, brown glaze with yellow glazed decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Tureen, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe tureen with lid, from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with brown glazed decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Pitcher, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pitcher with handle, from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with green and red vine and berry glazed decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Pot, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pot with handles, from the Savoie region, brown glaze with yellow and black glaze decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Barrel-form Pot, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pot with handle in the form of a barrel, from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with green hatch-mark glaze decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Pitcher, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A large French faience Jaspe pitcher from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with green and black, and brown glaze decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Pitcher, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pitcher from the Savoie region, brown glaze with green and black glaze decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
French Country Pitcher, Jaspe
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French faience Jaspe pitcher from the Savoie region, yellow glaze with green and brown glaze decoration, circa 1890.
Pottery
Set of Large 19th Century French Pottery Tian Bowls Three
Located in Hudson, NY
A set of three large 19th century French terracotta tian bowls complete with both handles and pouring spouts having an unglazed exteriors and a beautiful a exceptional shade of pale ...
Pottery