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.
1930's Large Silver Plated Flush Mount With Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A large silver plated or gilt bronze light fixtures with Opaline glass inset. Available gold finish 2 items, silver plated 2 items
Silver Plate, Bronze
1930's French Flush Mount with Crystal Flowers
Located in New York, NY
circa 1930's French gilt metal light fixture with crystal flowers (4 interior lights)
Crystal, Metal
1930's French Small Flush Mount with Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930 Freich gilt metal flush mounted light fixture with opaline glass inset ( 2 interior lights)
Metal
$3,800 / item
1930's French Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal sunburst light fixture
Metal
$4,800 / set
1930's French Silver Plated Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver plated sunburst light fixtures with interior lights. Available as 1 light fixture, not pair.
Metal
1930's Silvered Metal French Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver leafed metal light fixture with glass inset
Metal
1930’s French Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930’s French gilt metal and cut glass sunburst small flush mount
Metal
1930’s French Sunburst Light Fixture Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930’s French sunburst light fixture with interior lights, no included chain and canopy
Metal
1930's French Gilt Metal Flush Mount with Frosted Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal light fixtures flush mounted with frosted glass inset
Metal
1940s French Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mount Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1940’s French gilt metal sunburst flush mounted light fixture with 2 interior lights. Available 2 items
Metal
$2,800 / item
1930's French Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French gilt metal light fixture with cut crystal inset and 2 interior lights
Crystal, Metal
1930’s French Silvered Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
circa 1930’s French silvered sunburst flush mount with two lairs of leaves
Metal, Silver Leaf
1930's French Bagues Flush Mount with Orange Glass Leaves
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930's French Bagues gilt metal light fixture with colored glass leaves
Metal
1930's French Gilt Bronze Flush Mounted with Etched Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt bronze light fixture with etched frosted dome inset
Bronze
British Opaline Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps
Located in Amsterdam, NL
British opaline glass flush mount. Metal bulb holder with brass glass holder. White opaline glass Brass ceiling plate / wall plate : diameter 10 cm / 3.94 inches Weight: 0.90 kg / ...
Brass
Swedish designer large glass and copper flush mount, 1930s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Monumental flush mount made by anonymous designer in the first half of the 20th century. Goes well under the style Swedish Grace that was celebrated in the design world during the 1...
Metal, Copper
$4,970
H 6 in Dm 19.75 in
French Modern Neoclassical Gilt Iron 'Crown' or Sunburst Flush Mount or Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, dramatic large French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical gilt iron fixture in the form of a crown or sunburst with a frosted glass center reflector. This piece is deeply influ...
Wrought Iron
French Sunburst Flower Flush Mount Light Fixture, Gilt Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching sunburst foliage flower flush mount light fixture in gold leaf gilt iron. France, 1940s. This stunning handwrought iron ceiling light fixture has a nice patina showing its original gold leaf gilding. It can be used as a flush mount, as a wall light but also as a pendant hanging from a chain at the desired height. It will be an elegant touch placed in an entryway, bathroom or bedroom and will add a glamourous Hollywood Regency accent to any classical, modern, eclectic or midcentury decoration. Newly wired. Overall Measures: 31 cm diameter x 14,5 cm H // 12,20 in diameter x 5,70 in H We are specialists in lighting: A curated selection of light fixtures and other lighting items is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. Flower Bud Sunburst Light Fixture // French Gilt Sunburst Light Fixture...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Crystal Flush Mounted Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal and crystals flush-mounted light fixture with five interior lights. Measurements: Diameter: 21" Drop: 6"
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Brass and Opaline Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant Italian flush mount ceiling light from the 1970s, featuring a brass frame adorned with decorative clear glass elements surrounding a central opaline glass diffuser. The fixtu...
Brass
$2,872
H 4.73 in Dm 21.66 in
French Art Deco Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mount Ceiling Light, circa 1935
Located in La xara, VC
An exceptional and highly decorative French Art Deco ceiling light dating from circa 1935, featuring a spectacular sculptural sunburst design with an elegant central gilt metal dome ...
Gold Leaf, Iron, Metal
$5,400
H 34 in W 34 in D 4 in
Vintage French Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mount Light Fixture from the 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French vintage gilt metal sunburst light fixture from the mid-20th century, with central mirror and new wiring. We currently have two available, priced and sold separately. This ex...
Metal
$4,940
H 5.12 in W 22.64 in D 22.64 in L 5.12 in
Brutalist Sunburst Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, France 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Wrought Gilt Iron France, 1950 Sculptural brutalist ceiling light fixture with sunburst design, gilt iron, gold leaf. _____________________...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Nordlux, Flush Mount, Pine, Metal, Sweden, 1980s
By Nordlux
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and white-lacquered metal flush mount produced by Nordlux, Sweden, c. 1980s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.875"H x 10.375"W x 10.375"D Bulb Specifications: E-26 (Standard) ...
Metal
1950s Petite Flush Mount Chandelier by Barovier&Toso, Crystal Flowers
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite Italian Hand-Blown Crystal Flower Flush Mount Chandelier Charming petite Italian flush mount chandelier featuring a delicate arrangement of hand-blown crystal flowers in mult...
Metal
$1,723
H 18.51 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco Opaline Glass & Nickel Ball Flush Mount with Tassel, Germany 1930s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This Art Deco flush mount was designed any manufactured in Germany in the 1920s to 1930s. The light features a spherical marbled glass shade in cream/sand and yellow tones, animated...
Nickel
Art Deco Flush Mount Ceiling Lamp Large White Metal, France 1940
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 23" flush mount from enameled aluminum, France circa 1935-1940 Elegant spun aluminum light with 2 bulbs and passive soft lighting. It's in...
Aluminum, Metal
Swedish Opaline Glass & Burnished Copper Flush Mount, 1940s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This Art Deco flush mount has been designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1940s. The light features a classic stepped opaline glass shade in a tiered silhouette, characteristic...
Copper
$721
H 4.34 in Dm 14.97 in
Gilt Metal Leafed Sunburst-Shaped Four-Light Flush Mount or Wall Lamp, 1970s
By Hans Kögl
Located in Barntrup, DE
Gilt metal leafed sunburst-shaped four-light flush mount or wall lamp, circa the 1970s. This adorable Hollywood Regency-style gilt metal flush mount is ornate with beautifully sculpt...
Metal
1930 French Gilt Metal Sunburst Flush Mounted
Located in New York, NY
1930’s French gilt metal sunburst light fixture with frosted glass inset ,newly UL rewired
Metal
1930’s Small Gilt Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930’s French gilt metal sunburst light fixture with interior lights and cut glass inset
Metal
1930’s French Crystal Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French crystal light fixture with interior lights
Crystal, Metal
1930's French Flush Mount with Crystal Flowers
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal light fixture with crystal flowers (4 interior lights)
Crystal, Metal
1930s French Gilt Metal Sunburst Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal sunburst light fixture with hammered design.
Metal
A circa 1930's French flush mounted light fixture with large cut crystal
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930.s unusual large flush mounted light fixture with cut crystal inset.4 interior lights
Crystal, Metal
1930's French Sunburst Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt metal light fixture flowers and leaves design
Metal
1930’s Gilt Metal Sunburst Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930’s French gilt metal light fixture with interior lights
Metal
1930's French Nickel Plated Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French flush mounted nickel-plated light fixture with etched glass dome and 2 interior lights
Bronze, Nickel
1930’s French Sunburst Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930’s French gilt metal light fixture with interior lights
Metal
French Flush Mount Lighting
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
There are three French-style ceiling lights, capacity for two bulbs. They can be used as wall sconces.
Metal
Large Light Fixture with Opaline Glass
Located in Astoria, NY
A large silver plated light fixtures with opaline glass inset, also available gold finish - 12 available. Dealer: G302YP.
Silver Plate
Flowers Bagues Light Fixture
Located in Astoria, NY
A circa 1930s gilt metal light fixture with crystal flowers and 3 interior light. Available 3 price per item. Dealer: G302YP
Crystal
Bagues French Light Fixture
Located in Astoria, NY
A circa 1930s French Bagues light fixture with orange crystal leaves on body and crystal flowers, has interior lights. Dealer: G302YP
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 31.5 in
large pastel coloured 1950s metal floral flush mount ceiling light or sconce
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A large French pastel coloured vintage 1950s metal floral flush mount ceiling light or sconce with 5 lamp holders. Beautifully distressed, lovely faded pastel colours. Please note ...
Metal