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.
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...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, 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...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
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 ...
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...
Marble, 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...
Marble, Bronze
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...
Marble, 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...
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...
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...
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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...
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
$7,500
H 21 in W 13 in D 8 in
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautifully design late 19th century gilt bronze mounted parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain mantel (fireplace) clock The front carved with Apollo riding his chariot. The bottom wit...
Bronze, Ormolu
$19,500 / set
H 20 in W 15 in D 10 in
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Sèvres Style Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Cobalt Blue Sèvres Style Clock Set Comprising: a round clock with a final with two birds; a pair of five-light candleabra with sc...
Bronze, Ormolu
$12,500
H 22 in W 17 in D 7 in
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted White Marble Mantle Clock by Charpentier
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fantastic Quality Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted White Marble Mantle Clock By Charpentier & Compagnie Charpentier & Compagnie An urn w...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$20,811
H 22.45 in W 15.75 in D 4.73 in
Antique Late 18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Gold Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Late 18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Gold Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock French, Late 18th Century Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 12cm A wonderful example of late 18th century ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Mantel, circa 1800
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Empire gilt bronze clock mantel, circa 1800 The case surmounted by an Alexander the Great bust. Dial signed: "Rocquet à Paris” France.
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock
By Claude Galle
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock. circa 1810 clock Napoleonic Empire Bronze Dore. La Liseuse" clock after Reiche, by Claude Galle & Grand Girad. Signed in Paris
Bronze
$10,059
H 18.5 in W 11.1 in D 5 in
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$45,000 / set
H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 8.67 in
Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and marble three piece clock garniture. Clock signed Raingo Fres. France, 19th century. Clock works. Clock dimensions: 71 cm height, 46 cm ...
Marble, Bronze
Important Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Large and Important Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze, French Champlevé Enamel and Wood Mantle Clock The top figure is of Nike of Samothrace...
Bronze, Enamel
Louis XVI Ormolu Wall Clock, Bronze, Late 18th Century, France
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The circular glazed white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic chapters, set within a pierced case with ribbon-tied fruiting laurel trails, each side with a ram’s mask capped pilaster, ...
Bronze
Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock The clock face is flanked by one child playing the french horn,the other playing with finger cymbals, all raised on an elabor...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,032Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.23 in W 7.29 in D 4.93 in
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock, Signed Oudin à Marseille
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming Louis XVI-style mantel clock is a fine example of French decorative craftsmanship, likely dating from the late 19th century. The clock features a white enamel dial sign...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Brass
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 ...
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...
Bronze
Sold
H 18.12 in W 14.57 in L 18.12 in
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 ...
Bronze
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...
Bronze, Ormolu