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.
1950 Colorfull Hot Air Ballon Toleware Pendant , France
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Playfull and colorfull hand painted hot air balloon toleware from France , 1950s era. The handpainted candle holder sleeve is made of wood ! Contain four E14 sockets . Will be shi...
Metal
20th Century French Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Refined and beautifully composed, this 20th-century French chandelier is a striking example of Directoire Revival style—where neoclassical clarity meets understated elegance. Its gra...
Crystal
Vintage Black and Gold Tole Chandelier, Directoire Style, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking vintage gold and black tole chandelier with four lights, featuring flared metal shades and dates back to the mid - 20th Century. The f...
Metal, Tin
French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows
By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows. This stunning French Empire style or Directoire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze quive...
Bronze
French 19th Century Chandelier in the Directoire Style
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 19th century Directoire tole, iron and crystal chandelier with crystal drapes hanging from plumes at top, and unusual square cut crystals around the center ring, with hanging ...
Crystal, Iron
French Directoire Style Iron and Crystal Chandelier with Blue Crystal Feathers
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire style iron and crystal chandelier with blue feather shaped crystals. This chandelier is very decorative and a nice scale.
Crystal, Iron
French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier. This beautiful six arm chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom fin...
Bronze, Ormolu
Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
A doré bronze and cobalt chandelier with a three-feather, circular design in the Russian or Directoire style.
Bronze
1960s Montgolfier Tole Toleware Chandelier (Two Available)
Located in London, GB
1960s Montgolfier tole chandelier (two available). Gorgeous hand-painted, three-arm Italian ceiling light based on the Montgolfier Brothers' hot-air balloon design. Decorated in the...
Tôle
Antique Italian Silver Gilt Metal Chandelier, 1920s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Italian silver gilt metal chandelier. It includes 4 lights with Austrian crystal bobeches and prisms. Additional information: Materials: crystal, lights, silver Color: s...
Metal
Harmony in Light: Large Directoire Period Yellow Tole Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Directoire period painted tole chandelier, late 18th to early 19th century, of circular form suspended by linked chains and surmounted by a foliate crown canopy, decorated in soft ...
Metal
1900s Austrian Ceiling Chandelier 14 Lights, Burnished Bronze Swarovsky Crystal
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important Austrian ceiling chandelier with 14 lights in burnished bronze and gilded, with original Swarovsky pendants, late 19th century.
Bronze
Fine French Directoire Styke 5 Light Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Vintage gilt metal chandelier with 5 chains suspended from the circular ceiling plate conjoined with 5 arms. The body of the chandelier with center foliate motif and panels decorated...
Metal
French 18th Century Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Exquisite French Directoire period, chandelier dated to the end of 18th century. The lower Montgolfier is centered by a richly chased acorn finial amidst foliate. Main band, supporti...
Crystal, Ormolu
Directoire Style French Alabaster Pendant Chandelier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
French alabaster pendant light with brass aged (antiqued finish) fittings in the Directoire style. Interior lighting uses 3 60-watt standard size bulbs (led recommended). Newly wired...
Alabaster, Brass
Vintage Silver Chandelier/Zukov, 1950s
By Zukov
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia made of metal, glass re-polished fully functional original condition.
Chrome
$1,838Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in Dm 17 in
Maison Bagues Attributed Hollywood Regency Beaded Hot Air Balloon Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Attributed to: Maison Bagues (French, founded circa 1860), early 20th century. A unique and well crafted hot air balloon chandelier likely by the renowned company Maison Bagues. The...
Crystal, Brass
$2,739
H 34 in Dm 10.3 in L 34 in
Empire Revival Bronze and Glass Lantern with Arrow Detailing, France, circa 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size, great condition bronze hallway pendant with unique antique blown circular glass. This striking French lantern is a refined example of Empire Revival craftsmanship, dating...
Brass, Bronze, Wire
French Tole Hot Air Balloon Chandelier, circa 1950s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A wonderful hand - painted hot air balloon chandelier, France, circa 1950s. Socket: 6 x e14 (Edison) for standard screw bulbs. The condition is excellent.
Metal
Early 20th Century French Iron and Crystal Chandelier.
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century ca. 1900 French Campaigne iron and crystal chandelier. 1 standart socket.
Crystal, Iron
French Designer, Pendant Light, Metal, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass-painted metal flush mount designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina; wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 4.75"H x 16.0"D Bulb S...
Metal
Maison Jansen Toleware Hot Air Balloon Chandelier, Mid Century French
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Maison Jansen Toleware Hot Air Balloon Shape Chandelier, circa 1950. Whimsical chandelier is crafted in painted toleware and decorated with patriotic red, white, and blue swa...
Metal
French Directoire Style Alabaster Chandelier Pendant Light
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Alabaster pendant light or chandelier with aged patinated brass fittings in the Directoire style. Newly wired for US, fixture uses three candelabra size bulbs. The smaller scale of t...
Alabaster, Brass
French Designer, Pendant Light, Fabric, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and white embroidery fabric pendant light designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.25"H x 13.0"D Stem Length (inches): 15.625" Dimensions...
Fabric
Up, Up and Away: Large Vintage Hot Air Ballon Chandelier, 58" H
Located in New York, NY
A whimsical and finely crafted vintage chandelier modeled in the form of a hot air balloon, constructed of patinated metal with an openwork wire frame forming the balloon canopy abov...
Metal
Vintage Big Chandelier/Zukov, 1950s
By Zukov
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of metal, glass - Re-polished - Labeled - Fully funktional - Good, original condition.
Metal
French 19th Century Chandelier in the Directoire Style, One of a Pair
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 19th century Directoire tole, iron and crystal chandelier with crystal drapes hanging from plumes at top, and unusual square cut crystals around the center ring, with hanging ...
Crystal, Iron
Sold
H 41.34 in Dm 23.63 in
Antique Crystal Basket Chandelier Brass Directoire Style Restored Empire Italy
Located in Berlin, DE
A well balanced basket chandelier that stands out not through excess, but through proportion and quiet elegance. This piece has been fully restored in our Berlin workshop. The elect...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 33.47 in Dm 27.96 in
French Crystal Chandelier Directoire Style Louis XVI influence Restored Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant chandelier has been meticulously and lovingly restored in our Berlin workshop. All the electrical components have been replaced to meet modern standards, while preservi...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Dennis & Leen for Formations Wrought Iron & Crystal Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Dennis & Leen for Formations Wrought Iron & Crystal Chandelier.
Crystal, Iron
Sold
H 33.47 in Dm 14.97 in
French antique chandelier quinquet 5 lights painted tole 19th directoire empire
Located in Den Haag, NL
Antique French Empire Directoire green tole paint Four lights chandelier. Great color and detail with gold plated stencils. Dating from the middle of the 20th century
Sheet Metal
Italian Tole Hand Painted Three Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Tole painted three light chandelier. Hand painted metal frame with three metal attached shades. 35" long with chain and original ceiling cap x 18" diameter. x 14" long without chain...
Metal
Chandelier of Directoire Style in Bronze, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chandelier of Directoire style in gilt bronze with eight sconces surmounted by rudentate hoes, circular openwork with a large ring adorned with moldings which supports four chains. T...
Bronze
Pair of French Candlesticks, Made Year circa 1800
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A pair of large French candlesticks, made year circa 1800. Gilt bronze and still with their original candle rings of wonderful design.
Bronze
Sold
H 27.96 in W 9.45 in D 4.34 in
Directoire Gilded Bronze and Glass French Chandelier after Fontana Arte, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Two-light chandelier in enameled gilded bronze and Directoire style glass. This item is in the style of Fontana Arte, a leading lighting production and design company during the 1...
Crystal, Bronze
Directoire Style Chandelier with Crystal Pendants, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style gilt bronze and brass chandelier with crystal pendants. The upper part is decorated with four crystal daggers, placed ...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Maison Charles "Feuillage" Chandeliers
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
- Gilt brass - Ten lights - "Feuillage" model - Maison Charles - 1970 period.
Bronze
Maison Baguès Directoire Style Chandelier in Gilt Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style Gilt bronze Nine lights French work, Maison Baguès style.
Bronze