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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 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

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

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 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

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 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

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

Pair Directoire Ormolu & Bronze Figural Candelabras

Pair of French candelabra with bronze vestals and marble bases late 18th century
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of large, elegant French candelabra with burnished bronze vestals holding gilded bronze cornucopias in their hands, from which the four arms of the candelabra open: a central on...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Pair of French candelabra with bronze vestals and marble bases late 18th century
Pair of French candelabra with bronze vestals and marble bases late 18th century

Pair of French candelabra with bronze vestals and marble bases late 18th century

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

Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period

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Wonderful Pair Cherub Dore Bronze Putti Figure Candelabra Ormolu Mounted Marble
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Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
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18th Century Pair of French Brass Candlesticks with Square Bases

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H 9.5 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
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Located in London, GB
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Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres
Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres

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Previously Available Items
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Located in Pittsburgh, PA
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Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Candelabras

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Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Tole Painted Candelabra Lamps
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Tole Painted Candelabra Lamps

Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Tole Painted Candelabra Lamps

H 12 in W 7.5 in D 4.5 in
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in Paris, FR
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Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra

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H 27.56 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra, Possibly Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of gilt bronze candelabra, possibly Vienna, circa 1800. The top detachable and they could also be used as candlesticks.
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1790s Austrian Antique Directoire Candelabras

Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra, Possibly Vienna, circa 1800
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra, Possibly Vienna, circa 1800

Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra, Possibly Vienna, circa 1800

H 13.98 in Dm 4.73 in
Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra, circa 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Directoire gilt bronze and marble candelabra, possibly German from, circa 1800.
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1790s European Antique Directoire Candelabras

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Marble, Bronze

Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra, circa 1800
Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra, circa 1800

Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra, circa 1800

H 29.53 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in

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.

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