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.
French 18th Century Gilt & Painted Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A magnificent 18th century French giltwood trumeau mirror in the style of Louis XVI, the thick rococo carvings around the (French gray) painted frame appear even more theatrical unde...
Gold
French Pair of Louis XVI Style Reeded Gilt Mirrors
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Flat, reeded molding is an ideal surface area to reflect the lustre of gold leaf on this exciting pair of French mirrors from circa 1870, now patinated with a fine craquelure texture...
Gold
Paul Ferrante Indoor Outdoor Wrought Iron Mirrow W Arrows
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Paul Ferrante Indoor Outdoor Wrought Iron Mirrow W Arrows
Wrought Iron
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Large Giltwood Dark Framed French Directoire Wall MIrror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This impressive French Directoire style wall mirror is a striking statement piece that blends classical elegance with timeless craftsmanship. Featuring a bold dark wood frame accente...
Walnut
French Directoire Period Wooden Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Mirror from the Directoire period made of solid walnut with a central rectangular mirror. This piece is in very nice antique condition with only minor surface wear consistent with ag...
Mirror, Wood
French Directoire Gold Giltwood Mirror with Original Mercury Glass 19th Century
Located in 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...
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror. Stunning 19th century French Directoire style / Louis XVI style gilt wood reeded design mirror. This versatile mirror can be use...
Giltwood
French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 40 1/4in W: 28 1/4in D: 1in This French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror is truly exceptional! If you take a look at the photos provided you'll see the exceptional attention to detail within the carved gilt frame. One dead give away that this piece is quality is by looking at the beveled mirror. Beveled mirror is much more expensive than plain mirror lower end furniture companies did not bother to put higher end materials into their product as it would cost them more money. This mirror is perfect to be used as a vanity mirror, Bathroom Mirror, Bedroom mirror, entryway mirror, or kitchen mirror...
Composition
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
French Directoire Round Giltwood and Ebonized Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Directoire round giltwood and ebonized wall mirror is a striking example of neoclassical elegance blended with timeless French craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully bala...
Mirror
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Gorgeous French Carved Beveled Glass Rectangular Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French carved wall mirror showcases timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship, making it a perfect addition to both traditional and transitional interiors. The mirror features...
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Mirror. Offered is a stunning French Louis XVI or Directorie Style almost square reeded giltwood mirror. This large versatile Fren...
Giltwood
French 18th Century Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Wonderful French Directoire mirror with a mercury glass and covered of gold leaves.
Giltwood
$2,800Sale Price|56% Off
19th Century French Directoire Mirror
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Directoire Mirror. Gorgeous striking piece for any wall.
Wood
$2,966
Brass Bistro Mirror
Located in Arundel, GB
Large, French, Brass Bistro mirror. A moulded brass frame formed over a wooden frame and surrounding a foxed, mercury mirror plate.
Brass
$2,660Sale Price|30% Off
Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents
Located in Manhasset, NY
A Monumental French Ebonized and parcel-gilt mirror in the style of Directoire, circa 1950s, the rectangular beveled looking glass with a panelled frame decorated by brass accents.
Wood
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
French Directoire Style Gold Gilt Rectangle Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 45 1/4in W: 36in D: 1in This French Directoire style gold gilt rectangle wall hanging mirror is a prime example of luxury decor! This piece is made of the highest qua...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic and understatedly elegant set of four Directoire-style rectangular walnut mirrors, from the 1940s. The corners are embellished with a simple diamond-shape ebonized wood cabochon...
Wood, Walnut
18th Century French Seaform Painted Trumeau Mirror with Trophic Crest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Seafood / powder blue painted trumeau mirror with off-white carved trophic crest, 18th century, France.
Wood
$2,260
H 51.19 in W 33.08 in D 1.97 in
Rococo-Style Giltwood Wall Mirror, Ornate Frame, France, 20th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This superb Rococo-style gilt parclose wall mirror features a very ornate frame, inset with mirror plates and topped with an elaborate crest of stylised feathers. Dating from the 20t...
Giltwood, Mirror
French Art Deco Wrought Iron Mirror, 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
A large scale vintage French wall mirror featuring a rectangular hammered iron frame with notched corners and swirl motifs. Sourced in France, 20th Century.
Iron
$2,130
H 50.01 in W 31.11 in D 2.76 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Wall Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine rectangular Napoleon III full length mirror, in gilded wood and moulded plaster, which can be positioned horizontally or vertically. This characterful old mirror has intricate...
Giltwood, Mirror
Fine 19th Century Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine 19th Century giltwood overmantle mirror. The mirror glass plate set within a stunning hand carved giltwood, moulded an...
Glass, Giltwood
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 44 in W 33 in D 4 in
Antique French First Finish Giltwood Framed Wall Mirror C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique French First Finish Giltwood Wall Mirror C1900 Measures - Measures - 44"h x 33"w x 4"d A stun...
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of French Louis XV Style Gilt Oval Mirrors
Located in Cypress, CA
Pair of French Louis XV style gilt oval mirrors. Mid-20th century. The mirrors are surmounted with a carved gilt ribbon, each decorated in a fruiting, floral and foliate motif t...
Mirror
Late 18th-Early 19th Century French Gilt Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 18th–early 19th century French mirror wears its two centuries with a kind of aristocratic nonchalance. The classical frame, hand-carved with restrained neoclassical flouris...
Gold Leaf
1880s French Wooden Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
1880s French Wooden Wall Mirror. This petite 19th-century French mirror features a simple, timeless design that reflects the understated elegance of the period. The wooden frame reta...
Wood
19th Century French Wooden Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th century French wooden mirror features a simple rectangular form with a timeworn frame showcasing layers of distressed paint in warm terracotta and muted sage tones. The sur...
Wood
$12,500
H 66 in W 48 in D 2.75 in
19th Century French Double Framed Giltwood Mirror with Cherub on Crown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. Large French Double Framed Giltwood and Gesso Mirror with Cherub on crown. This stunning mirror has the original mirror plates.
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
$3,095 / set
H 46.25 in W 36.25 in D 1.75 in
Pair of Louis XVI Style Vintage Paint Decorated and Carved Gilt Mirrors
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 46 1/4 in W: 36 1/4 in D: 1 3/4 in A striking pair of Louis XVI style carved wall mirrors, exquisitely paint-decorated in a soft crème finish and adorned with refin...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in D 1.19 in
19th Century Louis Philippe Giltwood Wall Mirror with Ribbed Frame
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine Louis Philippe rectangular mirror in a wonderful gilt wood frame, which has been carved all round in a simple but attractive ribbed or reeded style. Dating from the mid-1...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 82.5 in W 52.75 in D 2 in
19th Century French Directoire Large Gilded, Scalloped Antique Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
A striking large French Directoire mirror with a scalloped gilded frame, combining neoclassical symmetry with subtle curves—offering understated elegance and a luminous focal point.
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 56.25 in W 46.25 in D 3.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Carved Gilt Wood Wall Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a master bathroom with this elegant pair of antique mirrors. Crafted in, France, circa 1880, each large mirror is rectangular in shape and features a carved frame with simpl...
Brass
18th Century Directoire Gilded Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Infuse your home with the refined elegance of the late 18th century with this exquisite 18th Century Directoire Mirror. A stunning exam...
Giltwood, Mirror
18th Century French Directoire Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century French Directoire Giltwood Mirror. This lovely antique period French Directoire mirror has a fluted gilt wood design with divid...
Giltwood
Sold
H 58 in W 30.75 in D 1.75 in
Fine Pair of Antique Giltwood and Gesso Directoire Wall Mirrors Circa 1920s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of Louis XVI style or Directoire mirrors. The mirrors are in good antique condition with giltwood and gilded gesso. The mirrors are in delicate and feature g...
Gesso, Mirror, Walnut
Black and Gold Large decorative Carved French Louis XVI Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous black and genuine gold leaf Directoire mirror. The mirror is good condition. The carving is fantastic. Measures 40 wide x 52.5 tall x 3 deep. Made in Italy in the ...
Walnut
Pair of Sophisticated Gold Gilded French Directoire Wall Mirrors
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Measures 39.5 tall x 28 wide x 1.75 deep. The mirrors are in good used vintage condition minor signs of age and wear as shown. They are French.
Walnut
Sold
H 50.75 in W 38 in D 2.5 in
French Directoire Style Mahogany and gold detailed Rectangular Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful and simple mirror with goreous gold floral elements at each corner. Measures 50.75 tall x 38 wide x 2.5 inches. Dates to teh 1990s era and is American.
Mahogany
19th Century Directoire Mirror with Reeded Frame
Located in Houston, TX
Gilded Ribbed Empire Mirror France. Circa 1820.
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
Antique French Directoire Giltwood Mirror with Divided Mercury Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine period French Directoire giltwood mirror with divided mercury glass. Beautiful detail on the frame. A classic piece. So pretty!!
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
Great Milling Road by Baker Large Ebonized Circular Gilded Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Beveled glass. Ebonized frame. Gilt accents. 43 3/4" h x 42 1/2" w. Condition Surface scratches. Minor dents. Minor finish loss.
Walnut