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.
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...
Ormolu
$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...
Brass
$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...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
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...
Blown Glass, Wood
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.
Ormolu
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.
Tôle
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce 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...
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.
Bronze
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce 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 ...
Bronze
Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s
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...
Brass
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce 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...
Bronze
$4,500 / 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...
Bronze
$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 "...
Bronze
Small French Louis XVI Bronze Dore Sconces, 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Gorgeous French 19th century Louis XVI bronze d'ore sconces with a beautiful chased ribbon backing. Set of three available. Each piece in our shop is professionally rewired and in working order. They have been rewired at our fourth generation antique store in The French Quarter of New Orleans. Each chandelier and lantern comes with a vintage canopy, three feet of chain, and ample wire, and each sconce comes with all materials needed to mount. Each piece is newly wired with UL approved wire and sockets and is fully operable. This piece is a collection of a fourth generation, family owned business in New Orleans called The French Antique Shop. The store was first opened by Marie and Marcel Granet in Paris when they married in 1927. A jewish family, they came to the United States before the outbreak of the Second World War, leaving on the last boat out of Paris' port, Le Havre. When they reached New Orleans, they fell in love with the Vieux Carre...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Set of Four Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Set of four early 1900s American cast and gilt bronze sconces with turrets and shield design on body.
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".
Metal
Pair of Large 'Lola II' Sconces in White
By Arteluce, Stilnovo, Alvaro Benitez
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 'Lola' brass and metal adjustable sconces in white. Hand-fabricated by Los Angeles based designer and lighting professional Alvaro Benitez, these UL listed and highly refined sconces are reminiscent of the iconic midcentury Italian designs of Arteluce and Stilnovo...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Studio B.B.P.R. Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nickel and Holophane glass sconces.
Nickel
Pair of Artemide Sconces designed by BBPR Studios
By Artemide, Studio BBPR
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italy: pair of Artemide sconces by BBPR Studios (Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers)
Glass
$1,560 / item
H 25 in W 5.5 in D 2.5 in
Modern Sconce/ POST KoKo Sconce Large/ Daikon Studio/ Modern Sconce Light
Located in Tuscon, AZ
Daikon Studio POST KoKo Sconce-Large The KoKo Sconce-Large celebrates the poetic dialogue between light and form to create a fixture that leans int...
Brass, Stainless Steel
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Studio B.B.P.R. Sconces
By Studio BBPR
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Studio B.B.P.R. Sconces. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Polished Nickel and reeded glass diffusers. Each sconce holds a single E27 socket type, adapted ...
Nickel
Pair Hand Painted Sage Green Two Light Sconces 1920's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1530 Pair antique brass sconces newly painted in sage green and creme by Brunelli Rewired Takes 2 60 watt candelabra based bulbs
Brass
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.
Bronze
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...
Metal, Brass
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).
Metal, Brass
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...
Bronze
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)
Brass
Ritz Directoire Bronze Wall Sconces, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Direct from the Ritz, fine pair of neoclassical bronze wall sconces, circa 1920.
Bronze
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"...
Tôle
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.
Bronze
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.
Ormolu
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.
Ormolu
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 ...
Bronze
Set of 6 Gilt Bronze 2-Light Tasstle Form Wall Sconces
Located in Stamford, CT
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....