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.
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 3 Light Pierced Tole Candelabra Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a pierced / reticulated base wit...
Metal
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 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
French 19th Century Directoire Giltwood Altar Candlestick
Located in Sunshine, LA
An elegant French 19th century altar candlestick from circa 1800 to grace a fireplace mantel or tablescape by its architectural stature and gilded glory. The attenuated, triangular b...
Giltwood
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
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 ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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 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
Paris, vers 1800 - paire de grands bougeoirs, flambeaux à l'ormoulu - Galle ou R
Located in PARIS, FR
Paris, vers 1800 - paire de grands bougeoirs, flambeaux à l'ormoulu - Galle ou Ravrio
Ormolu
France, vers 1800 - paire de candélabres à trois lumières en marbre et bronze do
Located in PARIS, FR
France, vers 1800 - paire de candélabres à trois lumières en marbre et bronze doré Paire de candélabres Bronze doré, patiné et marbre Dimensions : H. 51 (cm.) Belle paire de candél...
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
"Retour d'Égypte" French bronze and gilded candelabra 18/19 th
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Candelabra, Pair of Candelabra, Candlesticks, Candle Holders, Girandoles, Table Candelabra , Style & Era: Empire Style, French Empire, Egyptian Revival, Neo-Classical, Antiquity, 1...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Marble, Bronze
Paris, vers 1790-1800 - paire de grands bougeoirs, flambeaux à l'ormoulu - Galle
Located in PARIS, FR
Paire de flambeaux Bronze doré, 3 éléments Dimensions : H. 27,5 (cm.) Paris, vers 1790-1800 Paire de flambeau reposant sur une base circulaire ornée d'une frise de palmettes, de p...
Bronze
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,325Sale Price / set|24% Off
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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
18th Century Pair of Directoire Candelabra With Bronze Griffins
Located in Phoenix, 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.
Bronze
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 ...
Gold Leaf
Retour d'Égypte French bronze and gilded candelabra 18/19 th
Located in Berlin, DE
Candelabra, Pair of Candelabra, Candlesticks, Candle Holders, Girandoles, Table Candelabra , Style & Era: Empire Style, French Empire, Egyptian Revival, Neo-Classical, Antiquity, 1...
Gold, Bronze
$3,190Sale 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
$385 / set
H 15 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pr Italian Silver Gilt Tole 4 Light Candelabra Candle Holder Lights Leaf & Swirl
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
A vintage pair of lovely and intentionally worn, warm Italian silver gilt 4 light candelabras with acanthus leaf and hollow swirl metalwork, they would add a decorative, classical to...
Metal, Silver Leaf
$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 French Bronze Candelabras Maiden Regency Classical Gilt
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French gilt and bronze candelabras in the Regency manner Great look to this pair which at just under three feet tall are a good size - 73 CM The ma...
Bronze
$8,159
H 39.38 in Dm 9.85 in
Huge Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Candelabra with Classical Females
Located in Nottingham, GB
A magnificent pair of antique French Empire style bronze candelabra, each modelled as an elegant classical female figure holding aloft an elaborate six-light candle branch. The figu...
Marble, Bronze
Pair 18th Century French Louis XVI Bronze Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique French Louis XVI period ormolu bronze and marble candlesticks, circa 1790, with oil lamp-form bobeches with guilloche motif above patinated figures of Roman maidens, ...
Marble, Bronze
$2,850 / set
H 25 in W 14 in D 10 in
Pair of French Doré Bronze Crystal Girandoles Candelabras Three-Light Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French doré bronze and crystal girandoles / candelabras with three lights as lamps.
Crystal, Bronze
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 59 in W 28 in D 9 in
French Modern Wrought Iron Three -Light Candelabra Floor Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French modern wrought iron three light candelabra floor lamp, Of substantial size and scale, Beautifully made, fitted with three 2.75" square bobeches with 11.5" high candle sleeved ...
Wrought Iron
$1,224
H 19.3 in W 2.96 in D 1.58 in
18th Century Italian Baroque Brass Pricket Candlesticks, Ornate Design
Located in England, GB
A fine pair of 18th century Italian brass pricket candlesticks impressively decorated in a baroque style with knopped stems and triform bases decorated with cartouche and foliage alt...
Brass
Pair of 18th Century Italian Baroque Style Pressed Metal Candlesticks
Located in Milford, NH
A nice pair of 18th century Italian Baroque style pressed metal candlesticks with metal over wood tripod bases, converted to lamps at some point, but now with wiring and lamp fitting...
Metal
Pair Antique French Ormolu Candlesticks, Circa 1870-1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional pair antique French Ormolu candlesticks, Circa 1870-1880.
Ormolu
$6,124
H 27.96 in Dm 5.91 in
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Nottingham, GB
An exceptional pair of French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze candelabra, modelled in the grand Neoclassical tradition of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum feat...
Bronze
$3,247 / set
H 15.95 in W 8.67 in D 4.53 in
18th Century Italian Baroque Carved Silver-Gilt Three-Light Candlesticks
Located in Buisson, FR
An elegant pair of mid-18th-century Italian Baroque silver-gilt candelabra, dating circa 1740–1770. Originally created as a facing pair for a private chapel altar or an aristocratic ...
Wood
French Gilt-Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in Pembroke, MA
Very nice quality, French, Louis XVI style gilt bronze Bouillotte lamp with green painted tole shade, (19th century). The lamp features nicely chiseled acanthus leaves, garlands, cen...
Ormolu, Bronze, Tôle
Antique 18th Century Flemish Brass Candlestick with Drip Tray
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An elegant Flemish brass candlestick dating to the early 18th century, featuring a well-proportioned baluster stem and a broad drip tray. The candlestick stands on a tiered circular ...
Brass, Bronze
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
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
Sold
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in L 9.85 in
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
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 2 Light Tole Candelabra Parlor Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a fluted column with round dish ...
Metal
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 Style Gilt Bronze and Tole Painted Candelabra Lamps
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of lamps feature Classical motifs including swags, tassels, and acanthus leaves. The gilt bronze is accented by Wedgwood jasperware style hand painted designs, and...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Directoire-Period Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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
Sold
H 22.5 in W 11.25 in D 8.5 in
Pair of Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks Mounted as Lamps
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Now mounted as Bouillotte Lamps, each patinated winged sphinx raised on rouge griotte marble square bases applied with an ormolu griffin. Each lampshade made of tole.
Griotte Marble, Bronze