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.
Pair of Antique Aprey French Faience Pottery Cachepots or Jardinieres
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French faience jardinieres or cachepots. By Aprey. Each with two painted scenes on either side. One has a man gardening and a woman carrying a breadbask...
Faience
Pair of French Directoire Late 18th Century Lidded Apothecary Jars with Labels
By Deroche
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire period ceramic lidded apothecary jars from the late 18th century, with hand-painted foliage motifs, labeled Tamarind and Ext. Cicutæ A:F, from the Deroche...
Ceramic
Vaso con Piatto in Cristallo Decoro Blu e Oro Austroungarico Inizio 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant decagonal shaped crystal lidded vase, dish plate dating back to Directoire period, finely decorated by elaborate floral and geometrical gilded, white and blue enameled patter...
Crystal
$15,000 / set
Pair of Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ewers
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the neoclassical taste, the open reeded spouts above ovoid bodies with leaf-clasped socles on square bases, the handles terminating in a female mask. This pair of ewers...
Bronze
Claude Galle (1759-1815) Pair of French Directoire Urns or Vases Bronze Ormolu
By Claude Galle
Located in Pistoia, IT
Pair of bronze and marble urns from the Directory period attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1815). The two ovoid urns are cast in alternating patinated bronze and mercury-gilt bronze...
Marble, Bronze
$935 / item
H 5.91 in Dm 5.52 in
Country Style German Crystal Glas Latern in Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in bright red color. Hand carved by Bavarian glass artists with a birds decor in the style of country. A rich oak leave garland all around with 2 birds...
Crystal
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Bombe Faience Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a buffet or dining table with this colorful ceramic cache pot. Crafted in France, circa 1920 and oval in shape, the jardinière stands on four paw feet and is dressed with li...
Ceramic, Faience
Lighted Vanity Tray in Cristallo Scalpellato and Carved Brass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Hanover, MA
This one-of-a-kind presentation or dressing table tray was created exclusively for BG Galleries by one of our own artisans, embellishing the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. ...
Crystal, Brass
$1,400
H 10.75 in W 25.75 in D 12 in
Hand Painted Antique French Faience Jardiniere, Decor Rouen, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Rouen, located in the region of Normandy, just outside of Paris, has been at the center of French faience production since the mid-1500s. This lovely hand-painted jardiniere (circa 1...
Ceramic, Faience
Hand Blown Monumental Wheel Cut Crystal "Hurricane Vase"
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This fabulous hand blown crystal shape appears to be a hurricane but in fact is a tall and elegant vase. Completely wheel cut all over in an Art Nouveau floral motif with undulating ...
Crystal
$9,500 / set
H 12 in Dm 5 in
Pr. 19th Century Antique Bohemian White Over Clear Crystal Maiden Portrait Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century Louis XVI style Bohemian white over clear crystal maiden portrait vases with hand-painted gilt décor. Each is beautifully hand-painted with gorgeous maidens lo...
Crystal
Georg Jensen Crystal Decanter
Located in Stamford, CT
An Art Deco style crystal pyramid decanter with a silver top designed by Harald Nielsen in the first half of the twentieth century.
Crystal, Silver
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Ormolu-Mounted Marble Vase
Located in New York, NY
Pair of ormolu mounted marble vases with ornate gilt bronze leafing and figural mounts framing the urns. France, 19th century. Measures: 20-1/2 in. (52cm) height. NMA Inv. 454
Marble, Bronze
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in Dm 11 in
Monumental Antique Cut Crystal Glass Brandy Liquor Bar Dispenser Decanter 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare Antique American crystal brandy/liquor bar dispenser, circa 1880. The crystal dispenser is of monumental size. The lidded dispenser having a faceted lid with a cut & faceted f...
Crystal
$236Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 6 in D 6 in
Vintage Porcelain Greek Key Jar with Lid by Royal Bayreuth
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly glamourous porcelain jar with lid by Royal Bayreuth Bavaria. Simple in lines, this lidded jar can have a variety of purposes in your living room as a container or in your vanity as a jewelry container...
Porcelain
Rare French 18th Century Biot Jar
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Fine, rare 18th Century French biot jar, having fabulous patination and lichen. Found in Provence.
Ceramic
Antique Second Empire French Doré Gilt Bronze Vases or Urns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French gilt bronze vases. Decorated with an assembly of musical instruments, a gourd, and even a hat. Extremely solid and finely cast, these urns or vas...
Bronze
Pair Of French Directoire Tole Verriere
Located in Essex, MA
Each oval with handles. Chartreuse color with black classical scene panels. Copper liners. Rusting in spots.
Tin
Pair French Directoire Style Lion Mask X Form Vintage Planters Jardinieres
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of French Directoire style jardinieres embodies elegance, strength, and refined craftsmanship, making them a standout addition to any collection or interior design. Each pl...
Metal
Sold
H 10.63 in W 5.52 in D 3.35 in
Pair of Ceramic Amphoras with figurative Scenes, Blue and Gold, around 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of amphorae with handles in the shape of caryatids and Asian decor. Slightly damaged.
Porcelain
Sold
H 38.75 in W 17 in D 16 in
French 1880s Directoire Style Rams' Head Plant Stand with Cane and Tin Liner
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style rams' head plant stand from the late 19th century, with cane details, tin liner and hoofed feet. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th centu...
Tin
Pair of French Tole Covered Urns Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French painted tole lidded urns with flowers and butterfly painting, handles lion head with ring.
Metal
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ewers
Located in Paris, FR
French Directory pair of ewers in gilded and patinated bronze with handles in the shape of winged Cupids. Both pitchers are decorated with ormolu garlands, a mask, and ribbons on the...
Bronze
Pair of Directorie Gilt Bronze-Mounted Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of ormolu and patinated bronze urns mounted on verde antique marble base.
Bronze
Russian Directoire Gilt Bronze Tazza
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Russian Directoire gilt bronze tazza, circa 1800.
19th Century French Directoire Black and Beige Painted Decorative Tole Basket
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Paris, circa 1860, the elegant antique bucket with iron handle, features hand painted mythological scenes on both sides embellished with garland and swag decor. The round basket is in excellent condition with a rich patinated black and beige painted finish with gilt accents. Use this tole bucket...
Iron, Tôle
19th Century French Directoire Sevre Porcelain Vase with Bronze Mounts
Located in Southampton, NY
19th Century French Blue Porcelain Severe Vase with Bronze Mounts