Directoire Furniture
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.
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Style: Directoire
French Vintage Mahogany Directoire Style Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French vintage leather-topped mahogany writing desk, designed in the Directoire taste for refined proportions & materials. Two hidden extensions on each side add occasional surface...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Marble Top & Wrought Iron Kitchen Island
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century wrought iron culinary work-table base paired with a (more recent) white marble top of complementary patina. The thick slab reveals a fine lace of gray veining t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Vintage Kittinger Directoire Style Writing Desk
Located in Houston, TX
1960s Vintage Kittinger Directoire style writing desk composed of satinwood and features ebony inlay and brass hardware. Maker's mark located inside the center drawer.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dark Green 1830 Floral Painted Cupboard
Located in Vo', Veneto
Dark Green Painted Wardrobe Dated 1830
Period: 1830 (dated)
Origin: European Alps
Wood essence: Fir
Dimension :
Height: 166 cm
Width: 123 cm (127 cm to the corners)
Depth: 50 cm (54 cm to the corners)
Description
Antique alpine wardrobe...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fir
French 18th Century Louis XV Style Painted Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This archetypal 18th century Louis XV-style desk was given a distinguishing update in the 20th century: washing the pine construction in white paint and black pinstriping to accentua...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Floral Painted Alpine Chest of Drawers 1810 ca
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean Chest of Drawers Dated 1840
Wood Type: Fir
Period: 1840
Origin: Tyrol
Dimensions:
Height - 91 cm
Width - 144 cm
Depth - 65 cm
Des...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fir
Paul Ferrante Indoor Outdoor Wrought Iron Mirrow W Arrows
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Paul Ferrante Indoor Outdoor Wrought Iron Mirrow W Arrows
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
$2,240 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair Of Antique French Directoire Period Painted Armchairs, Late 18th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
PAIR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS
A pair of extremely romantic chairs with carved frames, painted in a buttery cream paint with sap green and orange details. naturally worn ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Vintage Ebonized Leather-top French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ebonized French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk with Tooled Red Leather Top and Tapered Legs on Brass Sabots.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Directoire Style White Washed and Plaid Upholstered Club Chairs
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 24 3/4 in W: 28 1/4 in D: 29 1/2 in SH: 16 3/4 in
Infuse your space with sophisticated charm and timeless appeal with this pair of Directoire style club chairs, featuring a beautifully whitewashed wood finish and classic plaid upholstery reminiscent of the iconic Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Designed to evoke the understated elegance of French Directoire furniture...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 8 Maison Jansen Paint Decorated Louis XVI Trapezoidal Back Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare and gorgeous set of 8 Maison Jansen gray painted and distressed finished dining chairs. They have a classic trapezoidal back and beautiful recent ( what we believe to ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Mahogany Etagere
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany 19th century oval etagere side table on casters. The thick upper tray is ringed with a sloping wall, forming a shallow bowl or vide poche to enclose the cont...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Quality French Directoire Solid Bronze and Marble Gueridon End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Brass. Marble. 29 1/4" h x 29 1/4" diameter.
Condition
Scratches. Oxidation.
Dimensions
30 x 30 x 30 in
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Antique Directoire period chest of drawers in walnut - Italy 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant chest of drawers from the Directoire period, crafted in solid walnut, dates to the late 18th century and originates from Italy’s Veneto region, a hub of refined furnitur...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Maison Jansen Style Dining Table With Bronze Swan Finials Circa 1940s
Located in Peabody, MA
French art deco, Maison Jansen style table in red lacquered wrought iron with bronze corner embellishments of a stylized swan.
See our separate listing for corresponding chairs.
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Signed Maison Jansen Ebonized Black Lacquer Dining Table Brass Trim w 2 Leaves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic and gorgeous signed Maison Jansen ebonized lacquer dining table. The table is designed in the Directoire manner and is in good condition with minimal signs of age...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$10,000 Sale Price
33% Off
Superb French-Made Maison Jansen Attributed Brass Mounted Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautifully simple and yet chic dining table with two 24 inch leaves. The table was made in France as indicated by the stamp on the bottom of the brass feet. The table is i...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Handsome late 18th Century French Louis XVI style writing desk with leather insert on top. Desk features a middle drawer, with three drawers on left and three drawers on right side. ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,450 Sale Price
25% Off
French Directoire Style Library Cabinet in solid Cherry wood, Handcrafted
Located in Landivy, FR
This 3 doors bookcase is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century.
This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Lacquer, Oak, Cherry, Wood
Pair of Chinoiserie Maison Jansen Attributed French Directoire Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a wonderful pair of distressed finished pale apple green, French made Directoire commodes attributed to Maison Jansen. The commodes are a rare pair of three drawer commodes a...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Directoire Style Brass & Black Marble 2-Tier Side Table, Style of Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Directoire Style Brass & Black Marble Two-Tier Side Table, in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Dimensions: 20.5" H to finials x 19" W x 15" D
Removable Black Marble/Stone Shelf dimensio...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Iron & Marble Butchers Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A whimsical French marble and iron work table from circa 1860, that would have been a display fixture in a butcher shop or bakery to present the current offerings. The thick, white m...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Iron
John Vesey Style Brass and Steel Embossed Leather Top Executive Directoire Desk
By John Vesey
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning, chic and breathtaking desk or bureau plat made in the Louis XVI or Directoire style in the manner of John Vesey. The original Vesey desk sells for upwards of 50-7...
Category
Early 2000s European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Set of Four Samuel Copelon Swan & Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of four wrought iron lyre-back chairs in the French style by the Samuel Copelon Company of New York, one with original label. They feature art deco bronze swan finials and padd...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Carved Walnut X Form Stools Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of hand-made Maison Jansen style X form benches. The benches are in good condition with hand-carved, hand-made frames and decent upholstery. The benches are ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Pair of Directoire Bergeres
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A welcoming pair of 19th century French bergere chairs, made in the Directoire taste with influences of Louis XVI for timeless appeal. The pair are characterized by a gorgeous cut ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
$3,895 / set
Monumental French Mirrored Louis XVI Directoire Armoire Curca 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your deliv...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Style Bed In Lacquered Wood And Canework
Located in BARSAC, FR
Directoire style bed in cream lacquered wood on a white background and caned trim.
Quality work from the end of the 19th century.
Solid beech.
Very good condition, wear to the lacq...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Curule Directoire Side Tables
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of side tables from France made with a solid wood construction, primarily cherry wood. Each table is finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. The tables showcas...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$3,150 / set
Early 19th Century Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Delicious Italian directoire antique single bed in cherry wood, 1800. Internal dimensions inch W 30,70 D 74,01 cm W 78, D 188. Attention this bed wi...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$2,382 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Biedermeier Mahogany Bookmatched Center or Side Table by Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
Exquisite French Empire Biedermeier style mahogany bookmatched center or side table by Century Furniture, 2013.
Reminiscent of early 19th ce...
Category
2010s North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
An enterprising person a long time ago decided not to hide the fact he was creating an extension table by incorporating shutter style leaves and telescoping support frame. The result...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Fine Quality Solid Cherry Distressed French Directoire Server Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous American-made French Directoire style solid cherry console or buffet. The piece was most likely made by Henredon or another American company and is of the highest ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$1,916 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Brass and Steel Aged Mirrored Top John Vesey Style Ebonzed Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning desk that was perhaps made by John Vesey, but we can't say with any degree of certainty. The elements are there, the steel and brass used to create the more averag...
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
$4,680 Sale Price
20% Off
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
Height: 175 cm Width: 420 cm fully extended Depth: 3 cm each panel
Provenance: Private Australian Col...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Hardwood
19th C. French Directoire Carved Walnut Armchair with Gold Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century French Directoire carved walnut armchair with white paint and gold velvet upholstery.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut, Paint
French Directoire Style Bronze Wall Panels
Located in Sherborne, GB
French Directoire style bronze wall mounted panels, the classic X-frame panels with central diamond made from molten enamel.
So stylish, these panels can be wall mounted to give ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,062 / set
French Directoire Gold Giltwood Mirror with Original Mercury Glass 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
This exquisite French Directoire mirror, crafted in gold giltwood, features its original mercury glass, adding a touch of historical charm. Dating back to the 19th century, the mirro...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
French Directoire Painted Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction that has been finished with a milk paint in the “Petite Trianon” dove gray color. There is b...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant Antique Italian Directoire Fruitwood Side Table with Octagonal Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superb antique Italian fruitwood side table having 3 tiers including an elongated octagonal top, two oval shelves below and a very elegant refined silouette.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of Four 18th Century Chairs, France, Cherry, Painted, Directoire, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Set of very unusual 18th century chairs
It's a set of four chairs, all with different paintings of the Greek mythology.
Bourgogne (France)
cherrywood, oil colors
Directoire,...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$4,765 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Simple and Sophisticated French Travertine Marble Metal and Brass Gueridon Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, very well-made brass and steel gueridon or end table. The table is very chic and sophisticated and has delicately design details and is entirely hand-wrought metal....
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass, Steel
A Pair Of Gilt Bronze And White Marble Guèridon Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Gilt Bronze With White Marble Guèridon Tables. The set features small round tables with the marble top raised on three in-curved supports joined by a marble inset undershelf ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of late eighteenth century French Directoire period painted side chairs features its original patina. Their curved seat backs are detailed with a hand carved laurels at the...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Ash
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and
losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Louis XVI Directoire Style French Mahogany and Marble Top Stand Circa 1910
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Louis XVI Style French Marble Top Stand is made of the highest quality and is truly remarkable! Although small this little stand/end table packs a punch! and will most definitel...
Category
1910s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$1,276 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Louis XVI Demilune Shape Marble Top Marble Top Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
$3,000 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century French Directoire Bergere
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Directoire Bergere.
This stunning 18th century period French Directoire chair or bergère is the perfect side chair, ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Directoire Bergère Chair with Paisley Upholstery
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This rare French bergère chair dates from the late 18th century, during the elegant transitional period between the Louis XVI and Directoire styles. Crafted from solid beechwood, the...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
French Directoire Style Children’s Hand Pinted Bergere Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of French Directoire style children’s bergere chairs. The hand painted frames are coral and ivory. The upholstery is new and a cotton linen blend. The frames show some ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Directoire Table Writing Desk In Walnut - Italy 19th
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined Italian Directoire writing desk, dating to the early 19th century, showcases the minimalist elegance and architectural precision associated with the Directoire period.
...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire style desk in oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This computer desk is proposed here in solid oak from France and is also available in cherry.
A black leather desk pad equips the top.
The top is sli...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
$3,205 / item
French 18th Century Oak Armchair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 18th century (circa 1790) transitional style oak armchair reflecting design influences from Hepplewhite and Sheraton tastes with Directoire refinement. This sturdy, solid oa...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Set of 8 French Directoire Louis XVI Style Paint Decorated Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous set of 8 paint decorated dining chairs. The chairs are color coordinated with the same color of the upholstery on their tim details. The chairs are in good conditi...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Louis XVI Directoire Style Marble Top Sideboard Buffett, Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 35 1/2in W: 104in D: 21 1/4in
This French Louis XVI Directoire Style Marble Top Sideboard Buffett attributed to Maison Jansen is made of the highest quality and is bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Directoire Style Bookcases, China Cabinets Made by Old Plank in Any Size
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of French Directoire Inspired Bookcases, China Cabinets or Display Cabinets made in house by Old Plank. Roughly 30-years ago we purchased in France a similar Directoire style Bo...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
Pair of French 19th Century Chandeliers in the Directoire Style
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of French 19th century Directoire tole, iron and crystal chandeliers with crystal drapes hanging from plumes at top, and unusual square cut crystals around the center ring, with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Large 19th Century French Directoire Period Painted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in Birmingham, AL
This exceptional mid-19th century French Directoire period painted bookcase or display cabinet from Gordes, circa early 1800s, embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of its era. Han...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style dark grey iron paneled fireplace screen with X frame panels centered with gold rosettes and raised on paw feet.
Dimensions
38" W x 9" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,065 / item
French Directoire style minister's desk in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This minister's desk with 5-drawers is a craft-handed reproduction of the world-renowned French Directoire style, which dates back to the end of the 18th century.
This range is char...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Century Furniture. 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 furniture 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 $91,647 while the average work can sell for $4,519.
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