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.
Large French 19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ovoid...
Copper
Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Sculptures of Children
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each child seated on an oval tasseled and draped plinth in the shape of a stool, one reading a book, the other thinking, symbolizing knowledge and philosophy.
Ormolu
19th Century Renaissance Marble Relief
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century Renaissance marble relief. The relief is carved to the Renaissance taste and is in very good condition. It is framed in a later frame ...
Marble
Pair of Bronze Cat Sculptures
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool pair of bronze cat sculptures circa 1970s. They are in original condition with a fine patina and a few small dings and some surface scratche...
Bronze
19th Century Majolica Palissy Fishs Wall Platter by Victor Barbizet
By Victor Barbizet
Located in Austin, TX
Large Palissy fishs wall platter on a blue background with bugs, butterfly, lizard, crawfish, shells, leaves as ferns. The School of Paris is composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, F...
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Gilt Bronze Scholar Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
A late 19th-early 20th century gilt bronze scholar sculpture.
Bronze
$17,109
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 1.97 in
Modern Metal Alloy Bas Relief Sculpture, Signed, Late 20th Century
Located in Beirut, LB
Sculpture by Alicia Penalba, bas relief in metal alloy, signed Alicia Penalba, dedicated from the back, dim: 60 x 60 cm. Penalba arrived in Paris in 1948, with a scholarship from t...
Metal
19th Century Italian Painted Wood Angel Plaques - A Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian 19th century painted wood angel plaques. This pair of antique Italian plaques, perhaps originally used to decorate a chapel, feature a ...
Wood, Paint
Very Large Copper Wall Plate Depiction Saint Martin on Horse in Relief
Located in Antwerp, BE
A very large hamered copper wall plate depiction Saint Martin on horse in relief. Signed A Louis. Early 20th century. Measures: Diameter 75 cm.
Copper
$575
H 8.5 in W 7 in D 0.25 in
Late 19th Century Dunmore Pottery Victorian Green Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Dunmore Pottery Victorian Green Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque. This plaque was produced by Dunmore Pottery located on the estate of the Earl of Dunmore in Stilingshire, Scotland and depicts woman and cherub...
Ceramic, Paint
$10,229 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 31.5 in
Large Pair of Circular, Patinated Bronze Relief Plaques of Night and Day
Located in London, GB
A pair of patinated bronze antique plaques of Night and Day French, Late 19th Century 80cm in diameter, 5cm in depth Modelled after Bertel Thorvaldsen's iconic 'Night and Day' relie...
Bronze
French 19th Century Heavy Bronze Relief Plaque of 3 Cherubs
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French 19th Century Heavy Bronze Relief Plaque of 3 Cherubs This beautiful 19th century French bronze is a heavy oval plaque featuring three frolicking Cherubs. The high relief and ...
Bronze
$1,636
H 9.45 in W 7.09 in D 7.88 in
Antique 19th Century Style French Animalier Bronze Sculpture Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 19th-century-style French animalier bronze sculpture titled "Aigle, les ailes étendues, le bec ouvert" (Eagle with Wings Outstretched and Open Beak). This specific model was origin...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Carved Relief Limewood Shadow Boxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...
Wood