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.
1808 Blue Floral Painted Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Wardrobe dated 1808 Measurements: H. 173 cm – W. 128 (140 to the frames) cm – D. 50 (55 to the frames) cm Period: 1808 Origin: Tyrol Wood: Fir Description Beautiful painte...
Fir
Centre Table Commemorating the Paris Treaty and the USA Independence, Dated 1886
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A very interesting centre table commemorating the Paris Treaty between the original thirteen states of the United States of America and Great Britain ending the American Revolution o...
Bone, Wood
19th Century Swedish Pine Two Door Cabinet Armoire
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish two-door armoire crafted in pine with a deeply aged patina and original hinges that function well. The upper cabinet doors feature paneled detailing and secure w...
Pine
$475
H 15.5 in W 24.6 in D 1 in
1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street
Located in San Francisco, CA
This wonderful piece of New York City history is over 150 years old. It depicts 86th street and above. It was lithographed by WC Rogers and company. It was made to show what was the Battle of Harlem during the Revolutionary war...
Paper
Early 19th-Century Hungarian Hand-Painted Pine Two-Door Armoire
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century original hand-painted two-door armoire from Hungary crafted in pine. The original painted finish features a blue ground with four painted floral panels in the two ...
Pine, Paint
Pine Two Door Armoire
Located in Baltimore, MD
This handsome pine armoire has considerable presence, having a lovely color and attractive grain pattern combined with interesting design features, including a creative use of hardwo...
Pine
Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet
Located in Baltimore, MD
28VJL54 Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet 47.5”Wx20”Dx69”H France, circa 1910 $1795.00 This lovely piece is relatively large for a Vertigo, translated as “Vertical Cabinet, a...
Pine
19th Century Original Painted German Two Door Armoire Shrunk
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely painted armoire or German "Shrunk" still maintains the quality and details of the original hand-painted finish. The soft, gentle green background with delightful florals ...
Wood
$1,203Sale Price|77% Off
H 74.02 in W 95.67 in D 31.5 in
18th Italian Painted Wardrobe in Solid Alder with Two Doors
Located in Buggiano, IT
18th Italian wardrobe in solid alder with two doors, internal color in original patina. The exterior is hand painted with period decorations. This is...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk Early 19th-century German pine two-door armoire ("Shrunk") retaining its hand-painted finish. Front doors feature four ...
Wood
$5,750
H 70.08 in W 43.12 in D 14.77 in
20th Century Armoire, Kitchen Cabinet with Two Doors, Carved Walnut, Spain
Located in Miami, FL
Armoire, cupboard or kitchen cabinet with two doors decorated to the outside with geometric patterns framed by moldings. The legs that protrude below and the cresting and lower moldi...
Iron
Two Door Armoire
Located in London, England
Two door French armoire in elm. Circa 1890 H 231cm x W 150cm x D 69cm
Elm
$2,450
H 34.5 in W 44 in D 2.5 in
48 Stars Canted to the Right, and Dancing Stars to the Left, ca 1912-1918
Located in York County, PA
48 STARS CANTED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT IN DANCING ROWS, A RARE VARIETY OF ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG IN A LARGE SCALE, 1912-1918 OR PERHAPS EARLIER, REFLECTS ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO ST...
Cotton
Original Painted Swedish Two Door Armoire dated 1834
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely original hand-painted armoire from the Swedish countryside. The date of 1834 indicate this was likely a wedding present. The delicate blue flowers and garland are surrounded b...
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Floral Painted Cupboard Wardrobe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Painted Wardrobe Measurements: H. 185 cm – W. 148 (167 to the frames) cm – D. 55 (63 to the frames) cm Period: circa 1810 Origin: Tyrol Wood: Fir Description: Tyrolean pain...
Fir
1790 Green Floral Painted Wardrobe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Tyrolean wardrobe Period: 1790 approximately Origin: Tyrol (Northern Italy) Essence: Abete Measures: Height: 201cm Width: 145 cm (161 cm alle cornici) Depth: 49 cm (59 cm ...
Fir
Early 19th Century Blue Floral Painted Wardrobe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Blue Tyrolean Wardrobe H. 183 cm – L. 128 cm (140cm at the frames) – D. 49 cm (55 at the frames) Beautiful Tyrolean wardrobe with two doors, entirely painted in deep blue, ...
Fir