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Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

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
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 Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

Directoire Style Bed In Lacquered Wood And Canework
Directoire Style Bed In Lacquered Wood And Canework

Directoire Style Bed In Lacquered Wood And Canework

$1,798
French 18th Century Directoire Bed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 18th century Directoire bed.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French 18th Century Directoire Bed
French 18th Century Directoire Bed

French 18th Century Directoire Bed

$3,740
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 Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed
Early 19th Century Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed

Early 19th Century Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed

$2,398 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Twins Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of twins beds with the original grey lacquered color. The beds are complete with spring boxes, mattresses, covered and pillows.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Twins Beds
French 19th Century Twins Beds

French 19th Century Twins Beds

$8,600 / set
French 19th Century Pair of Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Those pair of frame beds wears the original paint, the inside dimensions for a spring box are 35.75 x 74.5
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Pair of Beds
French 19th Century Pair of Beds

French 19th Century Pair of Beds

$3,860 / set
French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire daybed with a carved wooden frame a finial top on each end and an urn engraved in to the frame of the bed
Category

20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed
French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed

French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed

$6,500
French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very rare Directoire period four poster bed. Headboard and footboard are original - including paint. The tops curve gracefully outward. The friezes at either end feature beaut...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century
French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century

French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century

$11,392
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

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19th Century Chinese Bed in Solid Wood
19th Century Chinese Bed in Solid Wood

19th Century Chinese Bed in Solid Wood

$8,158
H 58.27 in Dm 63 in
Roger Rougier Lacquered Bed - Queen
By Roger Rougier
Located in Hanover, MA
Roger Rougier of Canada designed queen size platform floating bed with three section angled and illuminated headboard cabinet and two section geometr...
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1970s Canadian Vintage Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

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Roger Rougier Lacquered Bed - Queen
Roger Rougier Lacquered Bed - Queen

Roger Rougier Lacquered Bed - Queen

$4,250
H 35 in W 108 in D 108 in
Pair of 19th Century French Marble Top Nightstands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant pair of 19th century French nightstands embodies the charm and sophistication of neoclassical design. Each features a prist...
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

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Marble

Pair of 19th Century French Marble Top Nightstands
Pair of 19th Century French Marble Top Nightstands

Pair of 19th Century French Marble Top Nightstands

$3,950 / set
H 30.7 in W 17.7 in D 15.75 in
Ralph Lauren Home Collection Woven Rattan Wicker Bed
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Organic modern style woven bamboo rattan bed by Ralph Lauren Home Polo collection. The bed features a subtle sleigh form on each end ...
Category

20th Century American Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Ralph Lauren Home Collection Woven Rattan Wicker Bed
Ralph Lauren Home Collection Woven Rattan Wicker Bed

Ralph Lauren Home Collection Woven Rattan Wicker Bed

$4,800
H 45 in W 60 in D 93 in
Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful French Faux Bamboo Bed with Rails - Rails are 73 inches long each - This bed is a European Size which can easily be converted to an Am...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

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Faux Bamboo

Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed

Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed

$3,250
H 51 in W 47 in D 73 in
1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible and rare vintage twin bed frame by Charles Dudouyt, circa 1940's France. Long oak wood frame with carved circle details. Original finish ...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt
1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt

1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt

$1,850
H 33.5 in W 80.5 in D 37.75 in
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
Category

19th Century European Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century

$2,578
H 59.85 in W 85.83 in D 50.4 in
A French Louis XV style carved and painted daybed C 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This fantastic painted and upholstered bed is carved on all sides with foliate, urn and scrolled motifs. The head and footboard are topped by carved finials and all supported by four...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

A French Louis XV style carved and painted daybed C 1900.
A French Louis XV style carved and painted daybed C 1900.

A French Louis XV style carved and painted daybed C 1900.

$2,400 / set
H 37 in W 81 in D 38.25 in
French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French late 19th century faux bamboo pine and bird’s eye maple bed, reflecting the Aesthetic Movement artistry for organic forms in stylized, decor...
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Maple, Pine

French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame
French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame

French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame

$2,650
H 50 in W 78 in D 44.5 in
1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible and rare vintage twin bed frame by Charles Dudouyt, circa 1940's France. Long oak wood frame with carved horizontal spindle detail. Origi...
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20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt
1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt

1940's French Carved Wood Bed by Charles Dudouyt

$1,850
H 33.5 in W 80.5 in D 37.75 in
Benatti 'Boomerang' Queen Bed in Cognac Leather and Brown Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Benatti, 'Boomerang' queen bed, lacquered wood, leather, Italy, 1972 Rare and monumental Italian double bed made in the 1970s. This Boomerang bed is made by Italian manufacturer Ben...
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1970s Italian Vintage Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Benatti 'Boomerang' Queen Bed in Cognac Leather and Brown Lacquered Wood
Benatti 'Boomerang' Queen Bed in Cognac Leather and Brown Lacquered Wood

Benatti 'Boomerang' Queen Bed in Cognac Leather and Brown Lacquered Wood

$12,700
H 23.82 in W 74.81 in D 100.79 in
Marc Held for Prisunic Molded Fiberglass Bed, c. 1966
By Prisunic, Marc Held
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Be the envy of your friends with this rare and sought after piece of the Pop-Art movement history by Parisian designer Marc Held. In 1966 Held collaborated with Prisunic to design an emblematic collection of fiberglass furniture including beds, tables, desks and chairs. This listing is priced for both sides of the bed, we are not considering splitting the pair. This iconic low profile bed with...
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1960s French Vintage Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fiberglass

Marc Held for Prisunic Molded Fiberglass Bed, c. 1966
Marc Held for Prisunic Molded Fiberglass Bed, c. 1966

Marc Held for Prisunic Molded Fiberglass Bed, c. 1966

$5,600 Sale Price / set
29% Off
H 15 in W 91 in D 82.5 in
Previously Available Items
A French Directoire style Queen size bed, C. 1930.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautifully painted, floral carved and giltwood sleigh bed also has brand new fabric and is ready to make a statement in your primary or guest bedrooms. Interior: 62" x 76" Thi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

A French Directoire style Queen size bed, C. 1930.
A French Directoire style Queen size bed, C. 1930.

A French Directoire style Queen size bed, C. 1930.

H 43.5 in W 67 in D 89 in
French 19th Century Directoire Bed Frame
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century bed from the Directoire period with a warm gray and French blue color scheme. Both the headboard and the footboard have a low and wide pitch across the top to f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood, Paint

French 19th Century Directoire Bed Frame
French 19th Century Directoire Bed Frame

French 19th Century Directoire Bed Frame

H 46.25 in W 51.13 in D 77.38 in
Beautiful French Directoire style painted and giltwood queen size bed, C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful French Directoire style painted and giltwood queen size bed, C 1940. This bed is bed a warm creamy white and has carved and gilt accents throughout. The fabric is newly uph...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Beautiful French Directoire style painted and giltwood queen size bed, C 1940.
Beautiful French Directoire style painted and giltwood queen size bed, C 1940.

Beautiful French Directoire style painted and giltwood queen size bed, C 1940.

H 46 in W 58.75 in D 79 in
French Directoire Walnut Daybed & Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This is a classic French Directoire hand-carved walnut daybed and crown. The walnut bed frame has Directoire motifs thoughtfully carved throughout. The headboard and footboard are upholstered in a French toile fabric...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

French Directoire Walnut Daybed & Crown
French Directoire Walnut Daybed & Crown

French Directoire Walnut Daybed & Crown

H 34 in W 34.25 in D 80 in
Early 19th Century Italian 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 31,49 D 77,95 cm W 80 D 198. Attention this bed wil...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century Italian Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed
Early 19th Century Italian Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed

Early 19th Century Italian Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed

H 31.89 in W 34.65 in D 87.41 in
Pair of French Paint Decorated Lyre Back French Directoire Daybeds, Circa 1940s
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

1940s French Vintage Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Paint Decorated Lyre Back French Directoire Daybeds, Circa 1940s
Pair of French Paint Decorated Lyre Back French Directoire Daybeds, Circa 1940s

Pair of French Paint Decorated Lyre Back French Directoire Daybeds, Circa 1940s

H 36 in W 36 in D 78.25 in
Late 19th Century, French, Pair of Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of beds. They are complete, springs box, mattress, covered bed and pillows. This pair of beds is coming from a Parisian home.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century, French, Pair of Beds
Late 19th Century, French, Pair of Beds

Late 19th Century, French, Pair of Beds

H 33 in W 83 in D 29.5 in
French 19th Century Directoire Painted Twin Bed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant, 19th century bed is in the Directoire style. It has a pale gray paint with a blue-gray accent highlighting the details. The headboard and footboard have columns on each...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Directoire Painted Twin Bed
French 19th Century Directoire Painted Twin Bed

French 19th Century Directoire Painted Twin Bed

H 34.5 in W 80 in D 39 in
Pair Antique French Directoire Gilded Creme Painted European Twin Size Beds
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of twin size beds, they are slightly smaller than an American standard twin because after all, they are French. They dat...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Pair Antique French Directoire Gilded Creme Painted European Twin Size Beds
Pair Antique French Directoire Gilded Creme Painted European Twin Size Beds

Pair Antique French Directoire Gilded Creme Painted European Twin Size Beds

H 37 in W 37 in D 83 in
Directoire Style Twin Headboards
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic Directoire style twin mahogany headboards with triangular design top and balustrade columns.  
Category

20th Century Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

Directoire Style Twin Headboards
Directoire Style Twin Headboards

Directoire Style Twin Headboards

H 58.5 in W 41.5 in D 2 in
Antique French Directoire Style Solid Walnut Twin Single Beds, circa 1890s, Pair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
These are European twin size beds that are close to American standard sizes. They measure: 52 1/2" H x 44 1/2" W x 79 7/8" D. The beds are complete with rails and footboard and headb...
Category

1890s French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Directoire Style Solid Walnut Twin Single Beds, circa 1890s, Pair
Antique French Directoire Style Solid Walnut Twin Single Beds, circa 1890s, Pair

Antique French Directoire Style Solid Walnut Twin Single Beds, circa 1890s, Pair

H 52.5 in W 44.5 in D 80 in
19th Century French Directoire Carved Oak Four-Post Dog House and Vintage Fabric
Located in Dallas, TX
Give your dog or cat a spoiled and lavish lifestyle in this antique dog house. Crafted in France circa 1810, the bed features an arched top and four ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fabric, Oak

19th Century French Directoire Carved Oak Four-Post Dog House and Vintage Fabric
19th Century French Directoire Carved Oak Four-Post Dog House and Vintage Fabric

19th Century French Directoire Carved Oak Four-Post Dog House and Vintage Fabric

H 22 in W 24 in D 15 in

Directoire beds and bed frames for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire beds and bed frames for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage beds and bed frames created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire beds and bed frames made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 beds and bed frames differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,774 and tops out at $10,579 while the average work can sell for $6,750.

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