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.
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Fine Paint Decorated Gilt Over Red Bole Green Silk Maison Jansen Attr. Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
**Maison Jansen (Attributed) French Directoire Style Painted and Gilt Settee, Circa 1920s** This exquisite **paint-decorated and gilt-accented French Directoire style settee** is attributed to the legendary Parisian design house **Maison Jansen**, founded in 1880 by Jean-Henri Jansen. Elegantly proportioned, the piece features a beautifully carved beechwood frame with subtle **gilded detailing**, fluted legs, and neoclassical motifs emblematic of the Directoire period. The frame is finished in a refined cream paint with warm gilt highlights and red accents, while the upholstery—**luxurious pale green and ivory striped silk**—evokes timeless sophistication. The settee’s straight lines, scroll arm supports, and finely carved floral rosettes perfectly capture the **neoclassical symmetry and understated grandeur** that define both Directoire design and the Maison Jansen aesthetic. Renowned for blending classical elegance with modern refinement, **Maison Jansen** created interiors for the world’s elite, including **Elsie de Wolfe, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House**. This remarkable settee embodies the grace, quality, and artistry for which **Maison Jansen** became synonymous, making it a statement piece for any collector or connoisseur of fine French furniture. Cushion may be goose down filled. Split in upholstery can be repaired by an upholsterer. Measures 55.5 wide x 38 tall x 33.25 deep x seat height of 21 tall **Keywords:** Maison Jansen settee, French Directoire furniture...
Silk, Walnut, Giltwood
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Fabric, Sycamore
Exceptional Directoire Style Sofa in Cerused Oak
By Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine settee featuring a contemporary taking design cues from the iconic French Directoire style. Impeccably upholstered in a natural taupe woven fabric and framed in striking cerus...
Fabric, Oak
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
Maison Jansen Rare Stamped Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and elegant Directoire style silver leaf settee with black raw silk upholstery on tufted back, seat and padded arms, France, 1950s. This settee was likely designed as a spe...
Silk, Wood
Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay
By Jacob Frères
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and extraordinary piece of furniture that will add a touch of luxury and style to any corner you place it into. A fine late eighteenth cen...
Brass
French Directoire Settee with Painted Garlands, Upholstery and Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire settee from the 19th century with soft creamish yellow painted finish, green accents, painted garlands and linen upholster...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,690Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century French Mahogany Sofa, George Jacob Manner, Circa 1796-1825
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent French sofa, crafted in the late 18th to early 19th century (circa 1796-1825), evokes the esteemed style of Jacob-Desmalter, the renowned chairmaker and cabinetmaker...
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
$2,880Sale Price|40% Off
French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Wood
French Bronze Mounted Mahogany Directoire Style Meridienne
Located in Dallas, TX
A very graceful French meridienne in the directoire style.
Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant Directoire style lyre-back settee. Original black paint. Newly reupholstered with vintage fabric. Horsehair-filled cushion.
Fabric, Wood
$4,124
H 30.32 in W 72.45 in D 42.13 in
Howard & Sons Style Mulberry Designer Sofa Rare Made in Feather Filled
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Mulberry
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Rare Mulberry home designer sofa. The colour over the years has faded slightly in some areas. However...
Fabric
$4,950
H 40 in W 54 in D 27 in
French Louis XVI Style Wingback Settee with Original Gilding and New Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style settee from the early 19th century, with original gilding and new upholstery. Born in France during the early years of the 19th century, this settee features...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
Louis XV Style Carved Creme Paint Decorated Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34in W: 51 3/4in D: 29in SH: 18 3/4in This vintage Louis XV Style Creme Paint Decorated sofa settee is made of the highest quality! If you look at the photos provid...
Upholstery, Wood
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Large French Louis XV style cane back settee, also called canapé or sofa. Sofa in a very good state, no damage to the cane, rare find. Double-caned s...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
$3,900
H 32 in W 69 in D 37 in
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly designed chaise lounge from Italy circa 1990's. It features quality construction with a stacked art deco form.
Fabric
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Wicker Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous woven wicker settee by Isamu Kenmochi. Perfect scale, and very good condition. Rare, early piece of his work.
Wicker, Rattan
19thc Early Original Red Painted Settee / Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19Thc Original red painted day bed or settee in fine as found condition.This settee comes with four custom made 19thc coverlet pillows & the same settee decking is covered in t...
Wool, Wood
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
$4,500
H 34.75 in W 46.25 in D 23.5 in
Italian Mid-Century Settee - Sofà Carlo Mollino Style in Teal Green
Located in Houston, TX
Explore the elegance of this Italian mid-century style settee. Upholstered in a Teal/Green/Blue nubby bouclé fabric. Discover the timeless sophistication and comfort of this stylish ...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Louis XV Settee
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century French Louis XV style sofa or bench painted in a French blue-grey, with floral motives en relief. Newly reupholstered in a tan tight weave muslin. Measures: Arm height ...
Wood
Early 19th Century French Directoire Walnut Settee in Seaglass
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant early 19th-century French Directoire style settee, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid walnut, it showcases a naturally aged, characterful p...
Fabric, Walnut
Directoire-Style Sofa with Carved and Painted Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome Directoire-style sofa with carved and white painted frame, comfortable single seat cushion, upholstered back and sides, beautiful blue and white floral design fabric, the ...
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Transition Directoire to Empire Style French Settee
Located in Houston, US
Very stylish French settee exhibiting Directoire style transitioning to French Empire style. The settee is painted, but was probably originally in mahogany. It's graceful shape is ac...
Wood
French 19th Century Directoire Style Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
This stunning French 19th century settee, styled in the Directoire manner, is a testament to timeless elegance. The wooden frame, still bearing remnants of its original blue-painted ...
Upholstery
French 19th Century Painted Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Directorie period petite settee is in wonderful antique condition. Hand carved and built in the early 1800’s, this settee is sturdy and is sure to bring a lot of character t...
Brass
Sold
H 36.25 in W 48.5 in D 24 in
Early 20th Century French Directoire Style Painted Ash Banquette, Settee
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Directoire style banquette from the turn of the twentieth century features a scrolled seat back detailed with a carved central rosette flanked by palmettes within a class...
Upholstery, Cane, Ash
Sold
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 22.5 in
Antique French Directoire Styled Settee with Hand-Carved Giltwood Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This settee shows no maker's signature, but presumed to have originated from France and dating to approximately 1900 and done in a Directoire style. The printed cream fabric is frame...
Fabric, Giltwood
18th Century French Directoire Settee With A Painted Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A French period Directoire canape, settee with an old panted finish is very comfortable and stylish. It has been recently upholstered in a linen fabric, but we sell our pieces for t...
Wood
Sold
H 35.63 in W 61.03 in D 27.17 in
19th Century French Directoire Painted Wood and Cane Daybed Settee
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A late 19th century French Directoire daybed, the carved frame painted in green and blue and upholstered matress in toile de jouy. The metal base is supported on wooden batons which can be easily removed. All sides in original double cane work and all in perfect condition. Very decorative item. The dimensions are: Height: 90.5cm (35.6in) Width: 155cm (61.0in) Depth: 69cm (27.2in) Very comfortable seating and a rather pleasing example. This French painted daybed is in good antique condition throughout with no signs of age. This daybed or sofa remain in good, clean condition. The antique painted daybed...
Wrought Iron
Pair of French Early 20th Century Painted Directoire-Style Banquettes
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of painted and upholstered banquettes from early 20th century France. The pair have beautifully carved details covering their cream-painted frames which have been acc...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 32.68 in W 77.76 in D 35.04 in
French Directoire walnut Sofa Banquette Carved and Inlayed, Early 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Elegant Directoire beech banquette or sofa. Carved inlay wood. The mattress and the base are not included, we can make a slats base. Good antique condition. The upholstery must be...
Walnut
Early 18th Century Walnut Antique Rustic Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian bench 1700s. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Refined seat in silk. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood, some si...
Walnut