Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

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.

Style: Directoire

Pair of French Directoire Style Crystal Two-Light Sconces with Rosette Motifs

$1,250 / set

Pair of French Directoire Style Crystal Two-Light Sconces with Rosette Motifs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of French Directoire style two-light wall sconces from the 20th century with bronze armature, crystal rosettes and obelisk motifs. This exquisite pair of French Directoire sty...

Category

20th Century French Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Set of Four Late 18th Century Neoclassical Ormolu Wall Sconces

$12,800 / set

Set of Four Late 18th Century Neoclassical Ormolu Wall Sconces

By François Rémond

Located in Essex, MA

Rare Set of Four Period French Directoire or Le Premier Empire Sconces. Two arm wall lights in the Late 18th Century Neoclassical form. Dull and Burnished Fire Gilding. Extreme de...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

French Vintage Brass Lyre Sconces - Set of Four

$5,995 / set

French Vintage Brass Lyre Sconces - Set of Four

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

Set of four vintage French Midcentury wall sconces that are full of historic details referencing Directoire and Neoclassical themes. Cast in heavy, high-quality brass they are a beau...

Category

20th Century French Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Directoire Lion Mask Sconces of Bronze

$3,950 / set

Pair of Directoire Lion Mask Sconces of Bronze

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Very fine pair of sconces, of gilt bronze and partial painted finish, each concave hexagonal backplate divided by a vertical arrow, and centered by a lion mask, its teeth holding two...

Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces

$19,000 / set

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces

$13,500 / set

Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces

Located in Roslyn, NY

A palatial pair of French doré bronze four-light bow top and tassle wall sconces, newly wired.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces

$13,950 / set

Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces

By David Duncan

Located in New York, NY

A directoire-inspired hand-carved, diamond shaped backplate in mahogany available with wood, painted or guilt finishes. The eight point star-shaped backplate designed for single or d...

Category

2010s Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Blown Glass, Wood

19th Century Pair of French Directoire Bronze Dore Bird and Arrow Wall Sconces

$8,750 / set

19th Century Pair of French Directoire Bronze Dore Bird and Arrow Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of French Directoire-style (19th Century) bronze dore wall scoces with two arms, a double wreath design, and bird head and arrow details. (PRICED AS Pa...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

$1,474 / item

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

By Gherardo Degli Albizzi

Located in Florence, Tuscany

This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details. On the top of this sconce, there is a trident sided by two swan's wings. The body ...

Category

2010s Italian Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

$6,371 / item

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

By Gherardo Degli Albizzi

Located in Florence, Tuscany

This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...

Category

2010s Italian Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces

$3,500 / set

Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces

Located in Dallas, TX

A pair of French 19th century painted and parcel-gilt tole wall jardinieres wired as wall sconces.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Tôle

Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s

$1,439 / set

Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s

By Maison Jansen

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Maison Jansen, in the taste of. Pair of Directoire style gilt and silver brass wall sconces with four arm lights. Chandelle shaft topped by an ancient covered vase and finished by...

Category

1970s European Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

$8,495 / item

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

By Gherardo Degli Albizzi

Located in Florence, Tuscany

This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...

Category

2010s Italian Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Set of Four Wall Sconces Bronze Electrified France

$4,483 / set

H 10.24 in W 5.52 in D 17.33 in

19th Century Set of Four Wall Sconces Bronze Electrified France

Located in Epfach, DE

You can see an bautifully crafted set of four identical bronze sconces in an heavy quality. The candlesticks were electrified and were originally intended for candles, The glass cy...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Set of Four Antique Brass Wall Sconce Lamps

$804 / set

H 22.05 in W 11.42 in D 8.27 in

Set of Four Antique Brass Wall Sconce Lamps

Located in London, GB

A stunning set of four antique brass wall sconce lamps. They were made in Belgium, they date from around the 1950’s. The quality is excellent, they have very fine details and are be...

Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Bagues Style Rock Crystal Two-Light Sconces

$8,500 / set

H 28 in W 13 in D 6 in

Pair of Bagues Style Rock Crystal Two-Light Sconces

Located in Cypress, CA

Pair of Bagues style hand-carved and hand polished rock crystal and Smokey quartz mounted on 23-karat gold leaf hand-forged wrought iron two-light sconces. (Z)

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron

Vintage Set of Four '2 Pair' French Doré Bronze Candelabra Sconces

$4,000 / set

H 19.5 in W 11 in D 6 in

Vintage Set of Four '2 Pair' French Doré Bronze Candelabra Sconces

Located in Bronx, NY

This vintage set of four identical stunning French doré bronze wall sconces date from the early 20th century. Each features an elongated highly decorated wall plate with two curved "...

Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Set of Four Moderne Style Brass Sconces, Sold in Pairs

$5,800 / set

H 20 in W 8 in D 3.75 in

Set of Four Moderne Style Brass Sconces, Sold in Pairs

Located in New York, NY

Set of 4 Italian 1960s, moderne style hammered bronze sconces with two lights. Priced in pairs, sold in pairs. Measurements: Height 20", width 8", deep3 3/4".

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Late 19th / Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconces

$15,000 / set

H 25 in W 11 in D 11 in

Set of Four Late 19th / Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconces

Located in Long Island City, NY

A Set of Four Late 19th / Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Four Light Sconces Multi-faceted and shaped crystals, three exterior lights and one downward facing interior lig...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors

$3,800 / set

H 38.5 in W 15 in D 4 in

Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors

Located in Essex, MA

Pair of early 19th century continental sconce mirrors with original early glass and original gilding. Two arm sconces for candles. Great size and wo...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Mirror, Beech, Giltwood

Four Antique Gilt Bronze Fifteen-Light Wall Sconces

$88,610 / set

H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 22.05 in

Four Antique Gilt Bronze Fifteen-Light Wall Sconces

Located in London, GB

These gilt bronze (ormolu) wall sconces are magnificent pieces, each holding fifteen lights. The sconces will look beautiful either mounted onto the wall in a line, or paired and pla...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Bronze French Style Two-Light Wall Sconces

$975 / set

H 14 in W 5.75 in D 4 in

Pair of Bronze French Style Two-Light Wall Sconces

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Pair of bronze French style two-light wall sconces, very good condition. Smaller size which is great for a powder room, or smaller hallway. Dimensions: ...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair Georgian Cut Crystal Sconces Two Light Sconces

$3,800 / set

H 25 in W 15 in D 8.5 in

Pair Georgian Cut Crystal Sconces Two Light Sconces

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

This stately pair of classic Georgian sconces are in the style of Robert Adam. They feature hand cut and polished crystal drops, spires, bobesches, and urn form finials. The brass ba...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal

Pair of English Bronze Sconces

$5,400 / set

H 14 in W 10.75 in D 8.5 in

Pair of English Bronze Sconces

Located in New York, NY

Pair of 1930's English bronze sconces with iron arms. Measurements: Height: 14" Width: 10.75" Depth: 8.5"

Category

1930s English Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

20th Century, Studio BBPR Set of Four Wall Sconces

$12,979 / set

H 6.11 in Dm 10.44 in

20th Century, Studio BBPR Set of Four Wall Sconces

By Studio BBPR

Located in Turin, Turin

The BBPR studio, founded in Milan in 1932 by Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti and Ernesto Nathan Rogers, constitutes one of the earliest and most ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items

Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Lights

Sold

H 24 in W 14.5 in D 8.5 in

Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Lights

Located in Essex, MA

Each with four arms with a classical bacchus like head backplate. Finely cast.

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 French Mid-Century Brass Mirrored Two Arm Wall Sconces

Sold

H 16.75 in W 5 in D 9.5 in

Set of 4 French Mid-Century Brass Mirrored Two Arm Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

Set of 4 French Directoire style (mid-20th Century) bronze wall sconces with fleur-de-lis motif, central circular mirror, and two electrified lights with bronze colored fabric and th...

Category

20th Century Unknown Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces

Sold

H 17.25 in W 10 in D 6.5 in

Pair of French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of French Directoire-style (20th century) brass wall sconces with three arms, lyre design, and eagle head details (priced as pair).

Category

20th Century Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of Four Cast Bronze Bows and Tassels Sconces, circa 1900

Sold

H 24 in W 14.5 in D 7.5 in

Set of Four Cast Bronze Bows and Tassels Sconces, circa 1900

Located in Firenze, Toscana

Rare set of four. Housing two-light each, Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA, appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Heavy bronze with g...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces

Sold

H 17.25 in W 10 in D 6.5 in

French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of French Directoire-style (20th Century) brass wall sconces with three arms, lyre design, and eagle head details (PRICED AS PAIR)

Category

Mid-20th Century Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Ritz Directoire Bronze Wall Sconces, France

Sold

H 11.82 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in

Ritz Directoire Bronze Wall Sconces, France

Located in Brussels, BE

Direct from the Ritz, fine pair of neoclassical bronze wall sconces, circa 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair Green Tole Sconces with Hand Painted Landscapes

Sold

H 10 in W 5 in D 8 in

Pair Green Tole Sconces with Hand Painted Landscapes

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

This hand painted neoclassical style tole sconces have shield shaped backs, and removable shades. They were purchased from the estate of Drue Heinz, and originally hung in "Goodwood"...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Tôle

Elegant Pair of Directoire Style Bonze Sconces

Sold

H 17.75 in W 17 in D 3 in

Elegant Pair of Directoire Style Bonze Sconces

Located in Montreal, QC

Elegant pair of directoire style gilt and patinated bronze sconces with "bow and arrow" design.

Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Turn of the Century French Directoire Style Ormolu Sconces

Sold

H 17.5 in W 9.5 in D 5.25 in

Pair of Turn of the Century French Directoire Style Ormolu Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of French Directoire style (19/20th Cent) gilt bronze 2 arm wall sconces with a centered roundel decorated with a Classical mask between a floral design top and bottom.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of 19th c. French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces

Sold

H 14.5 in W 11 in D 6.75 in

Pair of 19th c. French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of French Directoire style (19th Cent) gilt bronze wall sconces with 2 upswept scroll arms emanating from a round backplate and centered by filigree heart shaped filigree accents.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Directoire Sconces

Sold

H 8 in W 12 in D 10 in

19th Century Directoire Sconces

Located in Norwalk, CT

Solid bronze candle sconces in the Directoire style, made in France, circa 1850-1870. Fine casting with patinated candleholders surrounded by bright bronze decoration including lion ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Set of 6 Gilt Bronze 2-Light Tasstle Form Wall Sconces

Sold

H 22 in W 10.5 in

Set of 6 Gilt Bronze 2-Light Tasstle Form Wall Sconces

Located in Manhasset, NY

SIX PAIR ARE AVAILABLE. Set of 6 gilt bronze wall sconces in the French Directoire style, circa 1940s. Each has two arms with candlestick sleeves, overall shaped in tassel form....

Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Wall Lights and Sconces

Directoire wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $19,000 while the average work can sell for $3,725.