Directoire Mantel Clocks
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
Directoire Gilt-Bronze Marble Mounted Chariot Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and delicate directoire style gilt-bronze marble mounted chariot clock. Exquisite bronze work depicting a winged charioteer guiding a pair of...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Pendule, Black Marble, Firegilded Bronze, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Antique portal clock
France
marble, bronze, enamel
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 28 x 14 cm
Description:
Antique portal c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie
Located in Essex, MA
Period French marble and ormolu mantel clock with sunburst or sun king motif original works. Gilding in great condition. Neoclassical form with enamel embellishments in great conditi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze French Directoire Striking Clock, c1790
Located in valatie, NY
This graceful gilt bronze striking clock is from France’s Directoire period. The clocks white enameled face has black Roman numerals and is framed with ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period.
A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The oval base raised on toupie feet, centered with a panel of hunting dogs with hunting trophies on each side, the case supported by a landscaped scenery of water and rocks and surmo...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock by Deverberie
By Deverberrie
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This is a classic Directoire period clock by the famous clock maker Deverberie. The drum-shaped clock is surmounted by an ormolu basket of flowers with festoons of foliage and flower...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century French Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a late 18th century Directoir marble and gilt bronze clock after a model by Deverberie. The dial is signed a Paris but the maker is not known. The clock sits on...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble (Rosso Levanto) Mantel Clock. 19th Century.
movement stamped 1075.
Measures: height 16 1/2" x width 18" x depth 5 1/2"
C...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Directoire clock attributed to Sèvres. Beautifully sculpted biscuit porcelain in white and Wedgwood blue jasper ware col...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock signed Maniere a Paris. A magnificent antique French Directoire mantel clock in patinated bronze and finest ormolu signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume Maniere who was working in the Rue...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
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French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
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1810s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
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H 18.5 in W 11.1 in D 5 in
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock
By Claude Galle
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
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Late 18th Century, French Louis XVI Neoclassical Ormolu Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Louis XVI period ormolu striking cartel clock “aux guirlandes”, the movement signed on the white enamel by Gille L’Aine, Paris. Pierre II. Gille l’ainé (1723-1784) was th...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
$14,458
H 28.35 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in
Gilt Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Charming gilt bronze clock, richly decorated: it is surmounted by a sphinx and a lyre, an open lion's mouth above the dial, garlands of flowers and oil lamps.
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Late 19th Century Skeleton Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stamped, French late 19th century skeleton clock. Made out of Mahogany wood and brass. Porcelain dial with roman numeral details.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Marble and Gilt Bronze Portico Clock
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant 19th-century French mantel clock is a refined example of Neoclassical design. Crafted from white marble with exquisite gilt bronze accents, it features intricate details...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Charles X Pendule, France around 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on rectangular stepped base in mahogany veneer with small squeeze feet and fire-gilded applications in the form of rose festoons. The stepped...
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1830s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze Cathedral Mantel Clock
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This stunning 19th-century French gilt bronze mantel clock is a true testament to craftsmanship and timeless design. Featuring intricate Gothic cathedral-inspired detailing, this clo...
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
Important Directoire Period Clock in the Return from Egypt Style
Located in Paris, FR
Majestic Directoire period clock in white and black marble adorned with gilt and patinated bronzes. In the "Return from Egypt" style, it is composed ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Directoire Clock, Dial Signed Frissard Rouen, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in gilt bronze and antique bronze in the shape of a vase with swan neck handles. Palmettes and foliage decoration, Directoire period. Original thread movement, dial signed Fris...
Category
1820s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Rare Pendulum Clock "Africa" Engraved Gilded Bronze, Early 19th Century, Paris
Located in Sofia, BG
Pendulum "Africa" early 19th century, Directoire-Consulat period
"Africa" exceptional pendulum engraved bronze, patinated or gilded; the cover decorated with a huntress symbolizing ...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
H 18.12 in W 14.57 in L 18.12 in
Period French Ormolu Director Pegasus Clock, circa 1795
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Essex, MA
Period French ormolu Director clock with rare Pegasus motif
Neoclassical late 18th century form. Egyptian form columns, Pegasus in clouds, form Mono...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Directoire mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire mantel clocks 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 mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include Jean-Simon Deverberie, C. Maniere, and Deverberrie. 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 mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,781 and tops out at $14,866 while the average work can sell for $8,362.
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