How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?

To know if your French furniture is provincial, examine its decorative flourishes. Provincial furniture often showed off a white painted finish with gold gilt accents. Many pieces feature carvings depicting mythological subjects or floral motifs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted French provincial furniture.

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Mahogany French Provincial Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more in our collection of mahogany French provincial furniture on 1stDibs. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. There are 118 variations of the antique or vintage piece of mahogany French provincial furniture you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for newer or older items, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Each item from our selection of mahogany French provincial furniture bearing Louis XV, Louis XVI or Regency hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made choice in our collection of mahogany French provincial furniture over the years, but those crafted by Baker Furniture Company, John Widdicomb and Romweber Furniture Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Mahogany French Provincial Furniture?

Prices for a piece of mahogany French provincial furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $495 and can go as high as $49,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,108.

A Close Look at French-provincial Furniture

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.

Questions About Mahogany French Provincial Furniture

How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To know if your French furniture is provincial, examine its decorative flourishes. Provincial furniture often showed off a white painted finish with gold gilt accents. Many pieces feature carvings depicting mythological subjects or floral motifs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted French provincial furniture.