Formed in the wake of the Jacobin Reign of Terror’s bloody guillotine, the Directoire was established to lead France into order through the leadership of a five-member council of directors. It was brief, lasting only from 1795 to 1799, ending with Napoléon Bonaparte’s coup d’état, and was economically tumultuous. Yet it was an essential bridge between the era of Louis XVI and the elaborate Empire style that followed, with Directoire furniture and decorative arts shaped by a royal passion for classical design and an enthusiasm for postrevolutionary France.

Much of the country’s furniture production had halted during the French Revolution when the furniture guilds system was abolished, but during the Directoire period, the cabinetmakers restarted their businesses, such as François-Honoré-Georges and Jacob-Desmalter who established a new workshop called Jacob-Frères. Pieces made in walnut, elm, mahogany and other inexpensive materials incorporated influences ranging from Egypt to Pompeii, with popular forms including the curule armchair based on an ancient Roman design. The aesthetics of the transitional style were more austere than during the monarchy, with court cabinetmaker Jean-Baptiste Sené, for instance, reimagining his workshop’s neoclassical-style furniture with ungilded surfaces and a reduction of ornamentation.

Symbols referencing the revolutionary tenets of liberty, equality and fraternity were frequently carved into Directoire furnishings, such as the Phrygian cap, clasped hands and the fasces, which is an image of a bound bundle of sticks adopted from the Roman Republic, where it was seen as an emblem of strength through unity.

Elements of the French Directoire style continued through Empire style. Designers Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine are credited today as major proponents of both movements. The classically inspired furniture design is represented in pieces such as the boat-shaped daybed and the klismos chair, which endured in French interiors as well as in styles abroad, including American Directoire.

Find a collection of antique Directoire chairs, tables, daybeds, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Shadow-boxes for You

Antique, new and vintage shadow boxes are an elegant way to present objects of deep importance or beauty in your space. Shadow boxes have long been a military tradition for displaying medals and awards.

Artists such as Joseph Cornell have used shadow boxes because of the dramatic visuals they can achieve as a three-dimensional piece. In recent years, shadow boxes have grown in popularity as home decor. A clean, empty shadow box presents everyone the opportunity to create a personal art piece. What goes into the shadow box solely depends on the artist’s vision, meaning there is no concrete design that each shadow box displays.

Shadow boxes vary in size and style, lending flexibility for different aesthetics in a room. They can also come premade or with only a frame for more customization and personalization. When you’re thinking about how to arrange art in your living room or dining room, integrating shadow boxes into a maximalist approach such as a salon-style gallery wall can add a dramatic touch and draw attention to whatever kind of work you’ve decided to place in the box.

On 1stDibs, find antique, vintage and 21st-century shadow boxes. Shadow boxes are available from a range of creators and in diverse styles, including mid-century modern, Victorian, folk art and more.