Skip to main content

Directoire Serving Pieces

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.

to
1
2
1
1
848
506
283
266
160
158
139
52
43
43
42
34
25
15
14
11
8
7
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
Style: Directoire
Set of Four Wedgwood Directoire Yellow Banded Creamware Cups and Saucers
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Wedgwood Directoire pattern yellow banded cream cups and saucers. Cups and saucers in the Directoire pattern and style with characteristic handles of the post Revolutionary six year period of the French Directory...
Category

20th Century English Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Creamware

Directoire French Golden Ocher Color Tole Tray
Located in Houston, TX
Directoire French golden ocher color tole tray adorned in original painted decoration, early 19th century. Note: Original/early finish on antique an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Tôle

Related Items
Tête-à-tête tea service Wedgwood
Located in Delft, NL
Tête-à-tête tea service by Wedgwood A Black on yellow cane Jasperware wedgwood stoneware with black lines and scene of Putti A serving tea set with a serving plate, 2 plates, a tea...
Category

20th Century Hungarian Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Stoneware

Tête-à-tête tea service Wedgwood
Tête-à-tête tea service Wedgwood
$1,410 / set
H 4.73 in W 7.49 in D 4.34 in
1930s Wedgwood Lustreware Tea Cups & Saucers, Set of 6
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of six 1930s Wedgwood lusterware tea cups and saucers. Overall silver floral motif on bone China background. Set includes 6 tea cups and 6 saucers, 12 pieces total. Each piece i...
Category

1930s English Vintage Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Art Deco Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Hors d'oeuvre Tray
Located in Miami, FL
Christofle Hors d'oeuvre Tray Finished with Brilliant Silver plate. Presentation Tray. Depth 14 in. x Width 11 in. x Height 0.38 in.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Lenox montclair tea cups and saucers set for 10
Located in Birmingham, AL
Preowned. Gorgeous Lenox Montclair Tea Cup & Saucer Set of 10 , 20 pieces : Presidential, Standard, ivory color Platinum Trim... Pattern Status: Discontinued. Actual: ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Bone

Wedgwood Royal Blue Jasperware Biscuit Barrel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Wedgwood Jasperware Royal blue Biscuit Barrel with an EPNS lid and swing handle, England, circa 1910-1930. The barrel shaped body shows a romantic white sprigged neoclassical ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Ralph Lauren Wedgwood Patchwork Cup & Saucer set ~ 4 pieces
Located in New York, NY
A four (4) piece up and saucer set in the Patchwork pattern by Wedgwood for Ralph Lauren. Made in England, circa 1990. This rare and out of production pattern features a blue/white...
Category

1990s English Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Ralph Lauren Wedgwood Patchwork Cup & Saucer set ~ 4 pieces
Ralph Lauren Wedgwood Patchwork Cup & Saucer set ~ 4 pieces
$350 Sale Price / set
30% Off
H 3 in Dm 6.5 in
Herend Porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" 10 Mocha Cups and Saucers
Located in Delft, NL
Herend Porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" 10 mocha cups and saucers 10 mocha cups and saucers, numbered with 707/AV The saucers measurements are 14 cm diagonal The cups...
Category

20th Century Hungarian Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Wedgwood Pale Blue Jasperware Coffee Cup and Saucer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Wedgwood, this exquisite and rare assembled coffee cup and saucer set are comprised of the firm’s famous pale “Wedgwood blue” jasperware so prized by collectors and connoi...
Category

18th Century English Antique Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Wedgwood Pale Blue Jasperware Coffee Cup and Saucer
Wedgwood Pale Blue Jasperware Coffee Cup and Saucer
$1,250
H 2.63 in W 5.13 in D 5.13 in
50 Piece Quimper Dinner Set Soups Salad Cups Saucers Coffee & Teapot More
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous dinner set of 50 pieces by the Henriot Quimper co. Their beautiful yellow color with the traditional peasant man ,& woman. Handmade & hand painted set is a classic. Set cons...
Category

1980s French Vintage Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Faience, Clay

Rosenthal Andy Warhol "Golden Angels" NEW Espresso Cup and Saucer
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol christmas golden Angels espresso cup with saucer. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time, loved Christmas and was known...
Category

1980s German Vintage Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Rosenthal Andy Warhol ‘Daisy' a set of 2 Espresso Cups and Saucers
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line two espresso cups with two saucers. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time. The Flowers print portfolio was created by Warhol follo...
Category

1980s German Vintage Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Red Napoleon III Tole Tray
Located in Doylestown, PA
French red and gilt hand painted Directoire/Emire tole tray, classical chariot and horses scene, late 18th-early 19th Century.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Red Napoleon III Tole Tray
Red Napoleon III Tole Tray
H 1.25 in W 27 in D 21.25 in
Directoire French Pinkish-Ocher Color Tole Tray
Located in Houston, TX
Directoire French pinkish-ocher color tole tray adorned in original painted decoration, early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Serving Pieces

Materials

Tôle

Directoire serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage serving pieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, creamware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire serving pieces made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original serving pieces, popular names associated with this style include and Wedgwood. 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 serving pieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $2,600 while the average work can sell for $1,350.

Recently Viewed

View All