Directoire Table Clocks and Desk 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
Jaeguer Le coultre Atmos table clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jaeguer Le coultre Atmos table clock
Atmos Model Directory Style
Origin Switzerland Circa 1970
Excellent condition. minimal natural wear due to its age
Works correctly
Materials Gild...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Directoire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement
Located in Denton, TX
A great industrial accent for a tabletop or bookshelf the combination of brass and steel gears and a bronze bell. This movement is in non working condition and is used for decorative...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Iron
Portico Clock, Directoire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Portico clock in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a rectangular base in white marble. Architecture with two columns topped by griffins holding the di...
Category
1790s European Antique Directoire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Striking Porcelain Mantel Clock, the Flawless Beauty of Porcelain
Located in Warsaw, PL
Porcelain gives us perfect beauty, naked and extremely luxurious. Not all materials can bring pure beauty but no less strong before times. Thanks to its hard and sturdy construction,...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble, Gold Plate
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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
1795 Clock Time Period Directory has l Ouroboros in Bronze Two-Colour
By Louis Jacques Vaillant
Located in Paris, FR
Clock Time Period skated and golden bronze, or moulu, Directory has l yet, allegory has l Ouroboros, decoration of winged griffons, urn , stars, caduceus...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
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Free Shipping
H 16.15 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in
Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock C1970 20th Century
Located in London, GB
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Jaeger Lecoultre Atmos Clock 528-8
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Located in Brighton, Sussex
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Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
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Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Clock, Nickel Plated, Manufactured 1950
Located in Greven, DE
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Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
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H 18.12 in W 14.57 in L 18.12 in
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Directoire table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include Jean-Simon Deverberie, and Louis Jacques Vaillant. 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 table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $900 and tops out at $24,855 while the average work can sell for $6,800.
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