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.
Pair of Sophisticated Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, Directoire circa 1795
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of sophisticated and elegant gilt bronze Candlesticks, Probably made in Paris, France. Directoire circa 1795. Beautifully decorated with leaves. Wear consistent with age an...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks. Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Gilt and Dark-Patinated Bronze Candlesticks – French Directoire, Late 18th Century An exquisite pair of French gilt and dark-patinated bronze candlesticks, crafted during ...
Bronze
Pair Louis XVI Ormolu Bronze Horse Handled Urn Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair Louis XVI Ormolu Bronze Horse Handled Urn Candlesticks. French Empire-Directoire Period patinated urn form candlesticks with ormolu mounts, Ottoman influenced horsehead handles...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Brass Candlesticks 18th century - Baroque
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
Franco-Flemish, so Dutch or French Baroque period 18th century brass Candlesticks. Each with an octagonal base supporting baluster stems and candle cups. (Each candle cup has a hol...
Brass
Pair Of Silver Candlesticks – Antwerp, 1792 – Late Louis XVI / Directoire Style
Located in Bilzen, BE
Pair of Silver Candlesticks – Antwerp, 1792 – Late Louis XVI / Directoire Style Elegant pair of antique solid silver candlesticks, hallmarked in Antwerp, 1792, during the early years...
Silver
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.
Brass
$1,371Sale Price / set|24% Off
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French candlesticks in a wonderful condition. White marble mounted with bronze ornaments. The quality of the castings and chiseling is high. the design is romantic and beau...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Pair of Directoire Silver metal Bronze Directoire Candlesticks
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of French Directory period candlesticks, early 19th century, in silver bronze with base decoration with concentric arches, upper part decorated w...
Bronze
18th Century Dutch Brass Candlesticks - A Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in the 18th Century, this set of brass candlesticks is a near-pair. Structurally, both have slender stems, rimmed sconces, and wide bases, with slight variations in the d...
Brass
Pair of Similar French Louis XVI Style Brass Candlesticks, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
An elegant pair of very similar French Louis XVI-style brass candlesticks or candle holders from the 1920s. Beautifully ornate with rich chiseling, stripes, and rosettes throughout....
Brass
$1,424Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.25 in Dm 4.125 in
Pair, French Empire Gilt Bronze Crane Motif Candlesticks Circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1815. This exquisite pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted circa 1815, embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Each candlestick feat...
Bronze
$712Sale Price|25% Off
H 12.25 in W 7 in D 5 in
Louis XVI Style Putto Ormolu Patinated Bronze and Marble Candlestick
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This French candleholder, in the style of Clodion, is mounted on white statuary Carrara marble. The patinated putto holds a candle support of flowering acanthus leaves. Circular and rectangular marble shapes...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks. With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns. The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Bronze
$3,301Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 5.63 in
Pair of Louis XVI gilt bronze - ormolu candlesticks - 19th century - 11" 3/4
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French pair of candlesticks, beautiful finely chiseled ormolu (solid bronze gilt with fine gold) Louis XVI style pattern. Our model is richly ornamented with pearls, gadroons...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast in France during the 1700s, this pair of bronze candlesticks has a lovely patination, giving them a glossy brown color. The highly contoured and curved bases are mirrored by the...
Metal, Bronze
$840Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 10.44 in Dm 4.73 in
Pair of Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pair of very finely-chiselled French gilt bronze candlesticks crafted in the neoclassical style. The decoration is extremely intricate, particularly on the circular base and tulip-...
Bronze
$1,950Sale Price / set|54% Off
H 13 in W 6 in D 6 in
19th century Charles 'X' French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick, Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
Features include superb detail with gold gilding and bronze patination. They are intricately sculpted with fanciful designs, acanthus leaves and grape clusters with three claw feet r...
Bronze
Antique French Champlevé Enamel Brass Gold Blue Chamber Candlestick
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Champlevé Enamel Brass Gold Blue Chamber Candlestick French Brass, Enamel c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 6 cm x 16 cm x 9 cm This detailed chamber candlestick, cr...
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Regency Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Candlesticks
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each patinated bronze classically draped female figure supporting an acanthus-cast nozzle above a leaftip drip pan and tasseled cushion, raised on a circular base cast with palmettes.
Bronze
Antique Hand Painted French Carved Giltwood & Floral Candlesticks - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of antique French hand painted carved wood candlesticks. Each is hand painted and depicts spray of flowers on a blue and gold background. Felt bottoms are in good shape.
Wood
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century A pair of classic and characteristic candlesticks in hallmarked silver from Central Europe, dating from the la...
Silver
Mid 19th Century Candlestick - Swans - Ormolu Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Refined French ormolu bronze candlestick, mid 19th century, finely detailed and beautifully cast. The base is formed by three sculpted swans, their long necks rising gracefully to su...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 20.08 in W 7.88 in D 7.09 in
Pair of 19th Century French Corinthian Column Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th Century French Corinthian column gilt bronze candlesticks. With tripod-shaped feet on paws and acanthus sheathed and fluted pillars. Ci...
Bronze
Sold
H 8.27 in Dm 4.53 in
Pair of Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze. Directoire circa 1795
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of very sophisticated Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze. Probably made in Paris, France during the Directoire, circa 1795. Wear consistent with age and use.
Bronze
Pair of Sophisticated Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, Directoire circa 1795
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of sophisticated and elegant gilt bronze Candlesticks, Probably made in Paris, France. Directoire circa 1795. Wear consistent with age and use.
Bronze
Louis XVI Antique French Candlesticks - 18th century
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
French Louis XVI Period brass Candlesticks. The detachable socles set within urn shaped holders, raised on tapering stop-fluted stems, terminating on circular bases. Some rubbing an...
Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 4.14 in
A Pair of Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, 19th Century, in the style of Directoire
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant and Ornate Gilt Bronze Candlesticks from the 19th Century. In the style of Directoire. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Sold
H 10.63 in W 5.31 in D 5.31 in
Pair of French Brass Directoire Period Antique Candlesticks, Early 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A good pair of Directoire period brass candlesticks circa the first quarter of the 19th century, they exhibit separately formed candle wells that remove from the stem over a ring-tur...
Brass
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks, circa 1790
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of rare and beautiful French Directoire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the late 18th century. In very good antique condition. Marked in the lower part of the foot with "13...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of Louis XVI Directoire Silver Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of silver bronze candlesticks, Directoire period-Louis XVI.,
Silver, Bronze
Sold
H 10.63 in W 5.31 in D 5.31 in
Pair of French Brass Directoire Period Antique Candlesticks, Early 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A good pair of Directoire period brass candlesticks circa the first quarter of the 19th century, they exhibit separately formed candle wells that remove from the stem over a ring-tur...
Brass
Pair of Directoire-Period Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Paris, FR
Directoire-period candlestick holders crafted in gilt bronze. Reflecting the late 18th century Directoire taste for the clearly geometrical forms, straight lines and flat surfaces, t...
Bronze