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Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

DIRECTOIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Directoire
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style dark grey iron paneled fireplace screen with X frame panels centered with gold rosettes and raised on paw feet. Dimensions 38" W x 9" D x 30" H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Iron

French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen

French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen

$1,065 / item
18th Century Directorie Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Directorie Cast Iron Fireback. Handsome 18th century French Directoire cast iron fireback or fireplace back or fireplace screen with two columns. Can be used in the back...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Iron

18th Century Directorie Cast Iron Fireback
18th Century Directorie Cast Iron Fireback

18th Century Directorie Cast Iron Fireback

$1,100
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Elegant pair of French andirons with bronze amphoraes. To be used also as bookends. ref. M/943.   
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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Fireplace Bronze Andirons with Amphoraes
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Used during warmer months to cover the opening of a fireplace, this rare, 19th Century French fireplace screen retains its antique original fabric. The design is identical on both si...
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Fabric, Wood

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Decorate a fireplace hearth with this antique fire back, created in France circa 1760, and rectangular in shape with an arched top, the iron plaque is decorated with a carved represe...
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18th Century French Polished Iron Fireback
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H 16.5 in W 13.75 in D 1 in
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
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Bronze

Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen

Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen

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H 40.16 in W 24.22 in D 13.78 in
Mid-18th Century Cast Iron Fireback from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This cast iron fireback origins from France, 1747.
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Mid-18th Century French Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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Mid-18th Century Cast Iron Fireback from France
Mid-18th Century Cast Iron Fireback from France

Mid-18th Century Cast Iron Fireback from France

$3,640
H 37.5 in W 44 in D 1 in
Custom Modern Metal Fireplace Screen by JED Design
Located in East Hampton, NY
Handcrafted custom modern metal and wire mesh fireplace screen. Custom sizes.  
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21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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Metal

Custom Modern Metal Fireplace Screen by JED Design
Custom Modern Metal Fireplace Screen by JED Design

Custom Modern Metal Fireplace Screen by JED Design

$2,900 / item
H 30 in W 40 in D 6 in
French Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Pembroke, MA
Nice French cast iron fireback with King's crown, fleur de lis on shield and Maltese cross framed by laurel leaves. Please note that since th...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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French Cast Iron Fireback
French Cast Iron Fireback

French Cast Iron Fireback

$3,800
H 31 in W 28.5 in D 1.25 in
Mid 18th Century French Fireback
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Fireback from mid 18th century France.
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Iron

Mid 18th Century French Fireback
Mid 18th Century French Fireback

Mid 18th Century French Fireback

$4,940
H 38.5 in W 38.25 in D 0.75 in
Amazing Rough 18th Century Fireback
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Beautiful rough cast iron antique fireback from the 18th century. The with rope decorated edges are at some point 2 inch (5 cm) think. From the original 9 "fleur the lis" symbols o...
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18th Century European Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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Amazing Rough 18th Century Fireback
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H 17.72 in W 40.36 in D 1.97 in
Antique French Louis XV Gold Bronze Fire Screen, Circa 1880.
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Antique French Louis XV gold bronze fire screen, Circa 1880.
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Antique French Louis XV Gold Bronze Fire Screen, Circa 1880.
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18th Century French Louis XVI Period Ecran Fire Screen
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18th Century French Louis XVI Period Ecran Fire Screen
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Ecran Fire Screen

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Ecran Fire Screen

$2,300
H 42 in W 24.5 in D 16 in
Antique French Victorian Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Fireplace Screen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Victorian Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Fireplace Screen. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 39" H x 22.75" W x 14" D.
Category

19th Century Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Victorian Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Fireplace Screen
Antique French Victorian Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Fireplace Screen

Antique French Victorian Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Fireplace Screen

$1,750
H 39 in W 22.75 in D 14 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century French Polished Steel and Bronze Fireplace “Tenaille a Feu” Tongs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France at the turn of the 18th century (circa 1800), this polished steel and bronze fireplace tong would make a great addition to any fireplace. In France, fireplace tongs...
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Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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19th Century French Polished Steel and Bronze Fireplace “Tenaille a Feu” Tongs
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Directoire fireplace tools and chimney pots for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire fireplace tools and chimney pots 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 fireplace tools and chimney pots created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire fireplace tools and chimney pots made in a specific country, there are and Asia 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 fireplace tools and chimney pots differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $4,700 while the average work can sell for $1,065.

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