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.
Unusual Antique Silver Inkwell & Document Box
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Silver Inkwell & Document Box. No apparent hallmarks so we are assuming this is silver plate.
Silver Plate
$2,800Sale Price|37% Off
Early 19th Century French Ormolu-Gilded Inkwell
Located in Copenhagen, K
French cut-glass, Palisander and ormolu inkwell. Sneaks as handle and claw on ball feet. Original glass wells and two drawers.
Bronze
$580 / set
H 2.88 in W 9.63 in D 10.38 in
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Inkwell, Letter Opener, Dip Pen and Seal Set, in Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s travel set or desktop accessories inkwell, dip pen, letter opener and seal. Made of silver (marked 800) and crystal glass. Nice additio...
Crystal, Silver
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
Antique English Wood & Brass Travelling Lap Desk and Document Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lap desk and document box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1825 and done in the period...
Walnut
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Sterling Silver Inkwell England 1905
Located in Stamford, CT
Handsome sterling silver antique inkwell has a lovely, simple design and was made by William Harrison Walter, circa 1905. It has a high polished profile, with a hinged lid and is wei...
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Or Early 20th Century Glass Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid Origin: France Material: glass, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 6 × 12 c...
Bronze
Antique Inkwell, Crystal Glass, Silver Plated, Late 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Inkwell made from crystal glass. The lid is silver-plated.
Crystal, Silver Plate
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare French mid-19th century encier in Louis Revival taste with Moorish Arabesque influence. Handcrafted in Champlevé enameled gilt bronze with ornate and colorful blue, pink, red, green and white enameling over the heavily shaped and scalloped base, that borders the stunning Severes style (I have not removed it to check for a makers mark) enameled porcelain tray scene of frolicking putti. The stunning enameling continues on the raised inkwell body and hinged lid with finial. Opposite, two raised balls act as a pen rest, the inkstand raising on four ball feet. Similar to French cloisonne, each champlevé design is a one-of-a-kind work of art. A beautiful warm verdigris patina adds to its character and charm. This wonderful antique objet...
Bronze, Enamel
Handsome Antique Horn and Silver Plate Inkwell Dated 1897
Located in Bath, GB
An outstanding late Victorian inkwell made from two cattle horns and mounted with silver plated fittings, a stunning combination and always highly sought-after; I haven't had one of ...
Silver Plate
$1,380Sale Price|20% Off
H 5 in W 9.38 in D 5.88 in
Antique French Belle Époque Classical Silver Inkwell on Stand
Located in New York, NY
French 950 silver inkwell on stand, circa 1910. Straight sides with vertically applied strapwork bands; curved bottom and raised foot. Cover hinged and domed with flower-head finial....
Silver
$2,400
H 5.75 in W 5.25 in D 3.25 in
French 19th Century Charles X St. Bronze, Ormolu and Sienna Marble Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Charles X st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Sienna marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a rectangular Sienna marble base. The pedestal displays an e...
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Document Boxes
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
In the early 1900s, document boxes in the shape of ledgers or books were increasingly popular. Made of wood or more increasingly popular paperboard, they were a clever and stylish wa...
Wood, Paper
Sold
H 9.85 in W 14.57 in D 8.27 in
Bronze Inkwell "Un Fleuve" Signed Barbedienne After Jean-Jacques Caffieri, 19th
Located in Paris, FR
Gilt bronze and red Griotte marble inkwell featuring an allegory of a River. This old writing box from the end of the 19th century is composed of a penholder hollowed out of marble a...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of Casolettes, 18th C, Mounted as Lamps
Located in Stockholm, SE
Great design, fantastic quality is what identifies these. Originally they were a pair of casolettes with lids. The lids are now missing and they are mounted as lamps. They are made ...
Marble, Bronze