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Directoire Candelabras

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
Pair of Large Candelabra-Candlesticks in Gilded Wood, France Directoire Period
Pair of Large Candelabra-Candlesticks in Gilded Wood, France Directoire Period

Pair of Large Candelabra-Candlesticks in Gilded Wood, France Directoire Period

Located in Paris, FR

Two large candelabra-candlesticksdecorated with lion claw and cherub heads on the on the visible side . They are turned wood and are decorated, engraved and gilded only on one side ...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra
Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra

Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

This amazing pair of Louis XVI / Directoire period candelabra are of the finest quality. The figures are modeled as Roman Vestal Virgins issuing three scrolling acanthus leaf candle ...

Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair Directoire Ormolu & Bronze Figural Candelabras
Pair Directoire Ormolu & Bronze Figural Candelabras

Pair Directoire Ormolu & Bronze Figural Candelabras

Located in New York, NY

Fine Pair Directoire Period Ormolu and Bronze candelabras with dark patinated cast bronze Neoclassical figures wearing draped robes, each holding a gil...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period
Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period

Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period

Located in Paris, FR

A pair of Directoire period gilt and patinated bronze and black and white marble candelabras. They present a decoration of winged sphinxes in patinated bronze carrying on their heads...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra

Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra

Located in Paris, FR

Pair of gilded and sculpted bronze candelabra with four branches each. The branches curve to form trumpets and foliated scrollwork on one end and sockets on the other end. The socket...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century Pair of Directoire Candelabra With Bronze Griffins
18th Century Pair of Directoire Candelabra With Bronze Griffins

18th Century Pair of Directoire Candelabra With Bronze Griffins

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

18th Century Pair of Directoire Candelabra With Bronze Griffins Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

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Pair French Bronze Candelabras Maiden Regency Classical Gilt
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19th century Charles 'X' French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick, Pair
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H 13 in W 6 in D 6 in

19th century Charles 'X' French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick, Pair

Located in Savannah, GA

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Pair of Gilded Bronze Candlesticks from French Restauration Era
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Located in 263-0031, JP

A pair of candlesticks in chiselled fire-gilt bronze from the French Empire or early Restauration Era. The pair, exemplifying the neoclassical iconography so popular in the Napoleoni...

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Pair of 18th Century Spanish Bronze Candlesticks
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H 16 in W 4 in D 4 in

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Located in Montreal, QC

Pair of 18th century Spanish patinated bronze candlesticks on Baroque tripod bases.

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Directoire Antique French Candlesticks
Directoire Antique French Candlesticks

Directoire Antique French Candlesticks

$905

H 13.39 in W 5.71 in D 5.71 in

Directoire Antique French Candlesticks

By France"

Located in DELFT, NL

French Directoire Period brass Candlesticks. The detachable socles set within urn shaped holders, baluster-shaped stems, terminating on circular bases. Some rubbing and wear.

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Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

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A Fine Pair of Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Candelabra
A Fine Pair of Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Candelabra

A Fine Pair of Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Candelabra

Located in Sheffield, MA

Each with a female figure, one entitled “L’Esperance”, and the other “La Marmote”

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Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
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Directoire candelabras for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire candelabras for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage candelabras created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire candelabras made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 candelabras differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,450 and tops out at $40,971 while the average work can sell for $5,788.