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.
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Country Walnut Carved Fireside Arm Chair Woven Rush Seat Floral
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Country French Arm Chair. Made from walnut with a round botanical carved splat back set between Grecian style capitals. Features turned arm supports and a unique square tap...
Rush, Walnut
Late 20th-Century Carved Wood and Cane Armchair with Tufted Pillow
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A late 20th-century armchair combining a dark-stained carved wood frame with woven cane panels on the back and sides. An arched crest rail, turned front legs, and curved rear support...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
1920s pair of Swedish upholstered armchairs in French style
Located in London, GB
A pair of generous sized Swedish armchairs/fauteils circa 1920s in the french taste. Their light washed wood surround retains some traces of the original paint and there is decorativ...
Fabric, Wood
A pair of French Napoleon III Armchairs In Princeton Ticking
Located in Faversham, GB
A charming pair of 19th century French Napoleon III square back armchairs with a low back and a wide generous seat. The walnut frames are raised on turned oak legs and finished with...
Calico, Upholstery, Walnut
French Provincial Decorative Child’s High Chair, Late 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming French provincial child’s high chair, likely dating from the late 18th century, circa 1780–1800, is a remarkable example of vernacular country furniture. Handcrafted fr...
Elm, Linen
Pair 19th C. Provincial Beechwood and Fruitwood & Rush Seat High-Back Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 19th Century Fench Provincial Beechwood and Fruitwood with Rush Seat High-Back ladder-spindle Armchairs. Lose, thick light blue cushions. Width 24", 43" in height, seat hei...
Textile, Rush, Fruitwood
Pair of French Provincial Decorative Floral Pattern Carved Arm Chairs MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of French Provincial Decorative Floral Pattern Carved Arm Chairs MINT
Upholstery, Oak
$1,395 / set
Drexel Heritage French Os de Mouton Armchairs
By Drexel
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Drexel Heritage Upholstery...
Cotton, Wood
Romweber French Provincial Louis XV Burl Wood Armchairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style fauteuils or dining armchairs By Romweber USA, Circa 1920s Beautiful carved exotic burled acacia wood, with upholstered seats. ...
Upholstery, Burl
French Provincial Walnut Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
French Provincial (18th Century) walnut open arm chair with needlepoint upholstery and turned legs and stretcher. Vintage condition. Shows wear and tear
Tapestry, Walnut
Pair of French Provincial King and Queen Leather Chest style Chairs.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of heavy vintage leather accent armchairs. High gently flared backrest. Ideal as statement King and Queen chairs. Classic deep button tufting. Chesterfield style. Sold as a pair...
Leather, Hardwood
$988Sale Price / item|70% Off
Hand-Carved Italian Blonde Armchairs in French Provincial Style
Located in Malibu, CA
Early 20th Century Italian hand carved and caned armchairs. The natural cane back and seats have been stripped to a nude finish. The chairs are in excellen...
Cane, Beech
$1,950Sale Price / set|20% Off
Early 1900's Design High Wing Back Armchair Fauteuil Set
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Original early 1900's design high wing back armchair Fauteuil set of 2. Made in France, 1920's - 1930's. High wing back arm chair with oak sculptural car...
Fabric, Oak
Grand Scale 20th Century French Wicker Conservatory Armchair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large wicker armchair, early 20th century, of generous proportions with a sculptural high winged back and softly rounded arms, the whole formed in tightly woven natural cane with a...
Wicker
Charles Dudouyt Patinated Oak and Rush Armchairs, France 1940s
Located in Almelo, NL
Charles Dudouyt Patinated Oak and Rush Armchairs, France 1940s These fine armchairs were designed by the renowned French furniture maker Charles Dudouyt in the 1940s and are excepti...
Rush, Oak
Pair of antique armchairs, France, circa 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A pair of armchairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, France. This furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The armchair seats have been reuph...
Walnut
Vintage Spun Fiberglass Chair with Alpaca Seat Cover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage spun fiberglass chair with Alpaca seat cover. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Lightweight but robust, sturdy design.
Alpaca, Fiberglass
Walnut Country French Armchair w/ Rush bottom seat
Located in Pasadena, TX
This armchair is made of walnut and has a rush bottom seat. Its style is country French.
Rush, Walnut
Vintage Spun Fiberglass Chair with Alpaca Seat Cover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage spun fiberglass chair with Alpaca seat cover. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Lightweight but robust, sturdy design.
Alpaca, Fiberglass
Pair of “Bridge” armchairs by Adrien and Frida Audoux-Minnet, circa 1950–1960
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of “Bridge” armchairs by Adrien and Frida Audoux-Minnet, circa 1960–1965. Beechwood frame with woven hemp seat and backrest. Good overall condition, with some signs of age.
Hemp, Beech
Carved Round Tiger Upholstery Back Camel Mohair Seat French Arm Chair MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Carved Round Tiger Upholstery Back Camel Mohair Seat French Arm Chair MINT
Hardwood
$1,550 / set
Pair Of Auffray Red Faux Leather Fauteuils
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of fine quality fauteuils upholstered in faux red leather with brass tacks, leather manchettes and contrasting taffeta plaid fabric on verso. The distressed paint decorated fram...
Faux Leather, Wood
$1,320Sale Price / set|65% Off
Elegant Pair of Faux Painted French Provincial Carved Wood Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Substantial and heavy, beautifully carved and faux painted pair of Louis XVI style French Provincial armchairs having a cream antiqued color wood and charming light blue and gold che...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,700Sale Price|29% Off
Queen of France Armchair Louis XV Provençal style oak and upholstery
Located in Valladolid, ES
Beautiful and refined Louis XV-inspired queen's armchair, made in France in the late 19th century. The carved oak frame features sinuous lines on its cabriole legs, curved arms, an...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Carved French Style Mohair Fabric Carved Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Carved French Style Mohair Fabric Carved Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
Mohair, Cherry
$2,457 / item
French Provincial Slip Cover Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
An exquisite blend of timeless elegance and modern comfort. This charming armchair features a sleek slipcover design in premium arctic white performance fabric, exuding sophisticatio...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of White Faux Bois Armchairs With Pierre Frey Blue Upholstery
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This pair of white faux bois armchairs evokes the timeless charm of classic French design. With frames carved to mimic the organic texture of tree branches and finished in a crisp wh...
Fabric
19th Century French Provincial High Back Armchair with Inlaid Cranes
Located in Queens, NY
French Provincial style 19th century high back armchair with rush seat and inlaid back having a water scene with two cranes.
Rush
$2,495 / set
Vintage French Recency Armchairs Dining Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Cane, Walnut
French Provincial Armchair Lounge Chair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A French Provincial Ar...
Cotton
Early 20th Century Set of Two Provenzal Armchairs in Wood and Rattan
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of two provenzal armchairs. Wooden armchairs with a wide traditional rattan seat, curved lines and characteristic details of French Provincial style. Painted ...
Rattan, Wood
French Wingback Armchair by Christopher Guy
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Silk, Hardwood
Antique Louis XVI Armchair with Carved Gold Frame Newly Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Louis XVI Armchair with Carved Gold Frame Newly Reupholstered in a Patterned Black with Gold Stenciling Velvet - Pair This elegant antique Louis XVI armchair features a bea...
Velvet
Paint Decorated Painted Olive Green Carved Ballon Back Arm Chair MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Paint Decorated Painted Olive Green Carved Ballon Back Arm Chair MINT
Hardwood
French Provincial Highback Armchairs in Oak Rope & Floral Upholstery, France'30s
Located in Almelo, NL
French Provincial Highback Armchairs in Oak, Rope & Floral Upholstery, France, 1930s A refined pair of French Provincial highback armchairs, crafted in France during the 1930s. Thes...
Upholstery, Rope, Oak
Pair French Gilt Arm Chairs Fauteuils
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair French gilt arm chairs with hand woven fabric Quality pair of French fauteuils recently upholstered with applied gold leaf decoration As rec...
Other
French 18th Century Hand Carved Fauteuil Chairs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous 18th Century French fauteuils, all hand carved, and constructed with wood dowel joinery. The details of the hand carvings are incredible. The chairs are ready for your workr...
Fabric, Wood
Provencal Straw Armchair From the 18th Century
By Hache
Located in Grenoble, FR
"Provencal Straw Armchair From the 18th Century" Elegant Provençal straw armchair. Period 18th century. Wooden armchair, back with three cut-out bars, turned legs straw-covered seat
Straw, Beech