French Provincial Bookcases
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
Tall Antique French Louis XV Hall Cabinet Tall Linen Closet Carved Oak Bookcase
Located in Shreveport, LA
Tall Antique French Louis XV Hall Cabinet Tall Linen Closet Carved Oak Bookcase.
Direct from our most recent French container, a stunning antique French hall cabinet or bookcase, ve...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
Located in Houston, TX
19th century painted bibliotheque from France. Hand-carved and painted bibliotheque with three upper glass paneled doors that open to reveal two storage spaces with three removable s...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Antique French Door Bibliothèque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
New, custom armoire or bibliotheque made by repurposing an antique French door from circa 1800, cut to essentially create two closet doors. What was a former exterior door shows rema...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Baker Furniture Italian Provincial Maple Bibliotheque Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Italian Provincial or Rustic European style bibliotheque bookcase cabinet
By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection
Italy, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair of Late 19th Century Painted French Bibliotheques
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of late 19th century painted French bibliotheques. Hand-carved in mortise and tenon construction. Originally constructed as built-in pieces. Without backs - made to be secured t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Iron
Thomasville French Provincial Louis XV Oak Writing Desk with Bookcase Hutch Top
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk with bookcase hutch top
By Thomasville
USA, Circa 1980s
Carved solid oak,...
Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique French Hunt Cabinet Bookcase Black Forest Carved Oak Barley Twist c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French hunt cabinet bookcase Black Forest carved oak barley twist
~Direct from France~
~This stunning French ‘hunt cabinet’ or bookca...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Provencal Pine Library Bookcase - Antique Buffet Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique French Provencal style library bookcase made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The medium sized two part buffet cabinet, cupboard is compos...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Wire
Auffray & Co French Provincial Antique Distressed Style Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Auffray made some of the finest French furniture ever made in the United States. Their quality and design was second to none and made to look like an authentic antique and beautifull...
Category
1960s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Baker Furniture French Provincial Walnut Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Carved walnut, with original brass har...
Category
1960s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Pair of Antique Provincial Sprucewood Bookcases, Cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of French Provincial black bookcases or library cabinets made of hand crafted painted Sprucewood, in good condition. The upper part is composed with two glass display...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Metal
French Provincial Plantation Style Walnut Vitrine, Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
This early (circa 1830) French Provincial plantation style walnut bookcase features an upper part topped by a cornice above two glazed doors opening u...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
French Provincial Large Display Case Painted Oak, Two Piece
Located in Milano, IT
This French Provincial large display case is a true statement piece, featuring an off-white/grey painted oak exterior and a light blue/grey interior. The original wavy glass is intac...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
20th Century Large French Oak Bookcase Display Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves
Located in Round Top, TX
This large oak bookcase or display cabinet has three long glass doors and stands over 7.5' tall and wide.
Carved details including rosettes and additional flourishes embellish the lo...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Oak, Paint
Provincial Ebonized Display Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Provincial-style pine painted display cabinet. The display case has remarkably subtle details such as slightly splayed legs that are tapered and encase the bottom shelf. Crown moldin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Baker Furniture Style French Provincial Red Lacquered Secretary Desk with Hutch
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
In the manner of Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1970s
Red lacquered carved wal...
Category
1970s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Lighted Breakfront Bookcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial or French Regency Louis XVI style lighted display cabinet or breakfront bookcase
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Carved cherry wood, with glass front and ...
Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A tall early 19th century french painted glazed Bibliothèque - bookcase. Of tall and slender proportions. Displaying a pair of glazed doors over a pair of arched panel doors opening ...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Large French Bleached Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase, circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This dramatic bleached oak bookcase or display cabinet has four long glass panels and stands just over 10' tall and wide.
Notice the turned columns, dramatic crown, and decorative ca...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Oak
French Provincial Fruitwood Vitrine, Bookcase, Display Cabinet, Mid 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Provincial Fruitwood Vitrine, Bookcase, or Glazed Display Cabinet, Mid 19th Century. Having Dual Glass Paned Doors, Revealing single Interior Shelf, Rising on Bracket Feet
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique French Bookcase Cabinet Brittany Breton PETITE Carved Oak Ship Spindle
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Bookcase Cabinet Brittany Breton PETITE Carved Oak Ship Spindle.
Direct from the Brittany region of France, another beautiful antique bookcase or cabinet, with gorgeo...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Oak
Pair, 19th Century English Pine Musical Motif & Painted Back Bookcases
Located in Atlanta, GA
This distinguished pair of 19th-century English pine bookcases beautifully combines rustic craftsmanship with refined decorative elements. Each bookcase features intricately carved m...
Category
19th Century British Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Pine, Paint
1960s Italian Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Étagère Cupboard Bookshelf
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern étagère or bookshelf or cupboard in rattan wicker bamboo. The organic beauty of the woven materials is timeless and classic, making bamboo ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Bamboo
19th Century French Provincial Highly Carved Oak Hunt Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AND IMPOSING Early 19C French Provincial Highly Carved Oak Bookcase.
French Provincial Oak Bookcase from circa 1840.
Heavily carved, this style is often referred to as being in "Hunt Style", from Northern France and often incorrectly, described as Flemish.
Pelmet heavily carved with Armorial Crest.
The upper section consists of a 2 door glass fronted Bookcase and has Gorgeous barley twist columns to the sides, with 3 interior shelves.
The Base has two doors each with exquisite carvings, one with hanging game birds...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
French Provincial Louis XV Birch Lighted Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Country Louis XV breakfront bookcase or china cabinet
USA, 1980s
Carved solid birch, with glass front doors, and original brass hardware.
Measures: 44.25"W x 19....
Category
1980s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
19th c. Pair of French Gray Painted Armoire Cabinets with Serpentine Sides
Located in Wichita, KS
A matched pair of grand, French, gray two-door cabinets from the 19th century with wire mesh door fronts and canted serpentine sides, supported by shaped box plinths. Circa 1840. The...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wire
Early 19th century antique French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an early 19th century handmade French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase. This cabinet has a beautiful amber patina to the Cherrywood and features as original pewter hardwar...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
French Painted Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French painted open bookcase with a molded cornice with carved shell and leaf medallion panels, with LED lit interior and glass inset wood fra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Fine and Large French Style Distressed Painted Wood Display Case
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In a pale yellow distressed paint, the interior painted blue-gray. A carved cavetto cornice over double glazed doors on top, opening to four shelves. The separate lower cabinet doors...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Romweber French Provincial Louis XV Burl Wood Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style breakfront bookcase cabinet or dining cabinet
By Romweber
USA, Circa 1920s
Gorgeous burled olive wood, with mullioned glass front d...
Category
1920s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
18th Century Provencal Cherrywood, Wire-Front Bibliotheque
Located in Washington, DC
A Provençal, Louis XV period cherrywood bibliotheque with wire-front doors and interior antique hardware latches and key.
Eight interior shelves of lighter wood, comes from Bregnoles in the Var...
Category
18th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wire
Provincial Painted Open Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
This beautifully crafted piece combines practical storage with a light, airy design, perfect for enhancing any living or dining space.
Built with solid mahogany and hand-finished in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Drexel Heritage French Provincial Carved Oak Lighted Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Provincial Louis XV style lighted breakfront bookcase or dining cabinet
By Drexel Heritage
USA, 1970s
Carved oak, with glass shelves and original brass hardware...
Category
1970s American Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Tall Provincial Painted Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
French-inspired tall provincial painted cabinet with a lightly distressed finish. This beautiful cabinet is inspired by an 18th-century French antiq...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Country Painted Quatrefoil Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Country Painted Quatrefoil bookcase or long console table with a painted green distressed finish. A beautiful piece for book storage and display, this bookcase console table f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
French Provincial Painted Display Cabinet II
Located in Westwood, NJ
The sleek white harvest exterior, combined with a warm, wood-toned interior, creates a striking contrast that highlights the beauty of your displayed items.
The cabinet features lar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique French Country Chicken Wire Paneled Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique 18th Century Style French Country 4 Door Chicken Wire Paneled Bookcase
Store and display your treasured items in this large bookcase. The bookcase is trimmed with intricate ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
European Provincial Painted Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A North European provincial painted cabinet in an antique 18th century style with a distressed grey painted finish. A cabinet of grand size and scal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Provincial Painted Tall Bookcase, Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
French-inspired Provincial painted tall bookcase or cabinet in dark grey with gold-painted accents. This beautiful cabinet is inspired by an 18th-centur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
A Large French Break Front Bookcase An excellent looking piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Large French Break Front Bookcase
An excellent looking piece with a dental cornice arched at the centre, the bookcase has reeded columns bordering open shelving at the upper sec...
Category
1950s Vintage French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Sapele Wood
Early 19th Century Country French Bookcase ~ China Buffet from Normandie
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th Century Country French Bookcase ~ China Buffet from Normandie is a timeless example of the amazing talents of provincial artisans that created their own regional looks ove...
Category
1820s French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair French Side Cabinets Bookcase Walnut 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful Pair of French Walnut Side Cabinets.
The Doors on These Cabinets Featuring Brass and Gilt Grills. The Doors Open to Reveal 2 Adjustable Shelves.
The Cabinets Stand Upon Tap...
Category
1880s Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
20th Century French Two-Part Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th Century French breakfront Bibliotheque bookcase with wire to the upper doors.
Featuring traditional lift-off hinges and decorative escutcheons. All of the doors open with ease a...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
French Provincial Painted Display Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Designed to bring a touch of sophistication to any room. The sleek white harvest exterior, combined with a warm, wood-toned interior, creates a striking contrast that highlights the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
French Provincial Waxed Pine Bookcase Display Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH WAXED PINE DISPLAY CABINET OR CUPBOARD
Circa mid-to-late 19th century
Item # 306REP14A
A delightful French Provincial cabinet of the 19th century, it features a positively g...
Category
19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Magnets
Provincial Painted Display Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French provincial-style pine painted display cabinet. The white display case has remarkably subtle details such as slightly splayed legs that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Provincial Painted Cabinet, France
Located in Vista, CA
French, Provincial, painted cabinet; the molded cornice above a cabinet fitted with four doors, each fabric-backed and fitted with two wire grill panels, the lower section fitted wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Wood
French Provincial bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique French Provincial bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used French Provincial bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Auffray Furniture, and Thomasville. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,348 and tops out at $38,500 while the average work can sell for $6,200.