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French Provincial Sculptures

FRENCH PROVINCIAL STYLE

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.

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Style: French Provincial
Bronze Sculpture Of A Young Woman Peasant
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a bronze Sculpture of a Woman Water Bearer. It depicts a patinated bronze sculpture of a barefoot young woman peasant carrying a wood stick at the back of her neck. The sculp...
Category

20th Century Unknown French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Normandy
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

French Terracotta Majolica Dog Normandy Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Terra Cotta Majolica Dog Normandy Circa 1900. decorated with Cornflowers called Barbeaux in France. in the style and period of Emile Galle.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Small Antique Farm Girl Figure, French, Bronze, Statuette, Provincial, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique farm girl figure. A French, bronze statuette, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Charming little figure, with great colour and detail Displays a ...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Terracotta Majolica Bulldog Bavent Normandy
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta bulldog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

French Pair of World War I Brass Engraved Shell Casings Trench Artillery, French
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French pair of shell casings from the World War I vases. Trench Artillery Brass engraved representing on each casing. This pair can also also be used as vases. Good condi...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Brass

A carved wooden egg - 1950s - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A carved wooden egg, likely made in the 1950s in France. This type of object was popular at the time and is often considered a beautiful decorative item. Carved eggs were often craft...
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Wood

French Faience Rhinoceros, circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
French faience blue and white rhinoceros attributed to Desvres, circa 1910. Minor hairlines on the glaze.
Category

1910s French Vintage French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Faience

French Terracotta Majolica Dog Normandy Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Terra Cotta Majolica Dog Normandy Circa 1900. decorated with Cornflowers called Barbeaux in France. in the style and period of Emile Galle.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Grande Maison HB Quimper French Faïence Breton Figural Knife Rests, Set of Eight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A scarce set of eight Porte Couteau, or knife rests, each signed HB Quimper, Grande Maison, de la Hubaudière or the HB factory. “H” for Hubaudière, the f...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Terracotta Majolica Dog Bavent Normandy
Located in Austin, TX
Terracotta dog from Bavent (Normandy), circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Gold Leaf Crown Sculpture Fragment on Thick Lucite Base, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This rare 19th Century French gilt wood and rope fragment is a captivating piece of history as well as a striking standalone decorative accent. This unique sculpture features organic...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Rope, Lucite, Wood

A large porcelain sculpture of a couple kissing by the sea by Royal Copenhagen
Located in Houston, TX
An insanely romantic large porcelain sculpture of a couple kissing by the sea called “The Kiss” #1132. Designed by Theodor Lundberg and made by Royal Copenhagen in Denmark. In very g...
Category

1950s European Vintage French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

French Fireside Hunting Dog Statue A handsome piece made in patinated iron
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Fireside Hunting Dog Statue A handsome piece made in patinated iron and standing on a plinth, the dog is fully 3 Dimensional and looks great from all sides He is in very goo...
Category

19th Century Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Bronze Woman With Flowers Sculpture
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century French Bronze Woman with flowing garments amid flowers and an urn. Flowers often represented beauty, life and the passage of time while urns are traditional symbols of m...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Terracotta Figural Group of Cherub with Dove
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century French Terracotta Figural Group of Cherub With Dove. Winged cherub is in sitting position with delicate features and a serene expression. Cherubs arms are outstretched t...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

French Cast Stone Pan and Putti Musician Sculptures, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of French cast stone Pan and Putti musician sculptures. We have two pairs available in stock.
Category

1950s French Vintage French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Pair of Monumental Figures of a Duke Duchess
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French (19th Cent) white painted monumental figures of a Duke & Duchess on square bases. (att. to be patron saints of a provincial French town & used in an annual parade)
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Jean-Baptiste Clesinger "Sappho" Patinated Bronze
Located in Astoria, NY
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger (French, 1814-1883) "Sappho" Patinated Bronze Sculpture, the standing figure holding a lyre, on a circular base, signed. 29" H x 7" W x 7" D.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Patinated Bronze Statue of Diana the Huntress by Jean-Antoin Houdo
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Spectacular French 19th century bronze statue of Diana the Huntress, signed by HOUDON. This wonderful statue is raised by a circular moulded bronze base. The nude Diana is absolutely...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Two Pieces of Hand Hammered Copper Fruit
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of two pieces of fruit, a gourd, a pear (SOLD), and an apple crafted in hand hammered copper with an alluring natural patina. Priced individually. From left to right: Measures:...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Copper

Auguste Carrier "Musicians" Patinated Bronze, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Auguste-Joseph Carrier (French, 1800-1875) "Musicians" Pair of Patinated Bronze Figures, late 19th century, depicted as male and female traveling musicians, signed to base of male fi...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Sculpture “Le Baiser Donné" Bronze by Jean-Antoine Houdon, 19th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful bronze sculpture named "Le Baiser Donné" (The Kiss Given), a renowned bronze work by Jean-Antoine Houdon, ( the sculpture is signed in the back). This is a prominent French...
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Terra Cotta Chalk-Painted Statue, Art Nouveau Period
Located in Dallas, TX
"Le Provencal Garcon" Terra cotta painted statue is a whimsical depiction of a well-dressed young lad who is obviously amused. The method used to embellish it was "chalk painting"...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

A Pair of 19th Century Brass Candle Sticks with Dancing Cherubs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of 19th Century Brass Candle Sticks with Dancing Cherubs The Candle sticks are decorative and are decorated with dancing cherubs, one has a tambourine The Candle sticks a...
Category

19th Century Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Eugène Blot, pair of small busts in terracotta
Located in S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Pair of small busts in terracotta by the French sculptor Eugene Blot (Grandvillers 1830-1899). Signed on the base.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Signed Moigniez Bronze Eagle Figure
Located in Miami, FL
Nice bronze figure well done of a eagle, signed Mogniez.
Category

1910s French Vintage French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

1900s French Tin Figurine
Located in High Point, NC
This metal figure was made in France at the turn of the 20th century. Depicting a youthful figure in motion, holding a bird aloft, the miniature sculpture recalls the classical motif...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Tin

1900s French Tin Figurine
1900s French Tin Figurine
$416 Sale Price
30% Off
Saint Nicholas of Bari Handcarved Sculpture with Gold Leaf, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
French carving depicting Saint Nicholas of Bari. It is handcrafted in carved wood and polychromed in gold leaf. France, 19th century.
Category

19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Wood

LALOUETTE Auguste Louis (French 1826 - 1883) "Children Couple" Bronze Sculptures
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful figures made in bronze that represent a couple of children, in what looks like a country scene. The proportions and details that define the figures is impressive.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Pair of Bronze Representing Young Woman by Jean Baffier
Located in Marseille, FR
Bronze and tin dated 1911 by Jean Baffier recognized for his work on the peasantry Berrichonne. This pair of empty pockets (differences in the headdresses...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Tin

Hand Carved Bronze Sculpture "Playing Boy", France, 20th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Sculpture of a boy playing, made of solid hand-carved bronze with a black patina and a circular green marble base. France, 20th century.
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Provincial sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique French Provincial sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with cast stone, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $125,000 while the average work can sell for $1,480.

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