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Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

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
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style dark grey iron paneled fireplace screen with X frame panels centered with gold rosettes and raised on paw feet. Dimensions 38" W x 9" D x 30" H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Iron

French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen

French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen

A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century Height: 175 cm Width: 420 cm fully extended Depth: 3 cm each panel Provenance: Private Australian Col...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Canvas, Hardwood

A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century

A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century

Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare late 17th century museum quality giltwood fireplace screen. Features exceptional interlaced fretwork between ornately fluted columns mounted by pinecone finials. Inc...
Category

Late 17th Century Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Giltwood

Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen
Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen

Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen

Antique English Brass Tapesty Fireplace Screen Ball & Claw Hearthware Guard
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Victorian Directoire fireplace screen. Made of brass featuring exceptional reticulated fretwork with fluting and ornate ball & claw feet. Great for use with stained gl...
Category

19th Century Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

Antique English Brass Tapesty Fireplace Screen Ball & Claw Hearthware Guard
Antique English Brass Tapesty Fireplace Screen Ball & Claw Hearthware Guard

Antique English Brass Tapesty Fireplace Screen Ball & Claw Hearthware Guard

Related Items
Fireplace Bronze Andirons with Amphoraes
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant pair of French andirons with bronze amphoraes. To be used also as bookends. ref. M/943.   
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Bronze

Fireplace Bronze Andirons with Amphoraes
Fireplace Bronze Andirons with Amphoraes

Fireplace Bronze Andirons with Amphoraes

H 10.63 in W 5.12 in D 17.33 in
Wrought Iron Fireplace Screen w/ Cast Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large fireplace screen with dog handles and wrought iron frame. Decorated with hearts and flowers.
Category

1960s American Vintage Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Wrought Iron Fireplace Screen w/ Cast Handles
Wrought Iron Fireplace Screen w/ Cast Handles

Wrought Iron Fireplace Screen w/ Cast Handles

H 44 in W 54 in D 6 in
Vintage Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Screen
Located in west palm beach, FL
Fantastic vintage hand forged fire screen. A brilliant collection of gnarly icons placed randomly on a heavy grid. A real artistic masterpiece. Great to add some drama to any fireplace
Category

Late 20th Century Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Metal

Vintage Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Screen
Vintage Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Screen

Vintage Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Screen

H 44.5 in W 31.25 in D 1 in
Heavy 19th Century Painted French Window Shutter 3 Fold Screen, Room Divider
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy 19th century painted French window shutter 3 fold screen, room divider This is a very heavy piece, the screen is 3 hard wood shutters w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood

Heavy 19th Century Painted French Window Shutter 3 Fold Screen, Room Divider
Heavy 19th Century Painted French Window Shutter 3 Fold Screen, Room Divider

Heavy 19th Century Painted French Window Shutter 3 Fold Screen, Room Divider

H 76 in W 17 in D 1.5 in
Early 18th Century 3-Panel Folding Screen, French
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 18th century French 3-panel folding screen, oil-on-canvas, depicting village and maritime scenes in cartouches with other decoration.
Category

Early 18th Century Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Canvas

Early 18th Century 3-Panel Folding Screen, French
Early 18th Century 3-Panel Folding Screen, French

Early 18th Century 3-Panel Folding Screen, French

H 65.5 in W 76 in D 2 in
Very Rare and Fine Large 19th Century Brass Fire Screen
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare and fine 19th Century brass fire screen, of exceptional quality, fully restored and of grand proportions. The protective wire mesh of shaped, rectangular form is set with...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

Very Rare and Fine Large 19th Century Brass Fire Screen
Very Rare and Fine Large 19th Century Brass Fire Screen

Very Rare and Fine Large 19th Century Brass Fire Screen

H 35.25 in W 22.5 in D 14 in
Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in Stamford, CT
Mexican artist, Sergio Bustamante wall sculpture or fireplace screen with a Garden of Eden menagerie of flora and fauna. Lions, giraffes, birds, butterflies, turtle, armadillo, rabbi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass, Copper

Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture
Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture

Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture

H 54.5 in W 85 in D 3 in
Antique Victorian French Tapestry Mahogany Frame 3 Panel Screen Room Divider
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian French Tapestry Mahogany Frame 3 Panel Screen Room Divider. Item features figural tapestry with courting scenes, solid ma...
Category

Early 20th Century Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Tapestry, Mahogany

Antique Victorian French Tapestry Mahogany Frame 3 Panel Screen Room Divider
Antique Victorian French Tapestry Mahogany Frame 3 Panel Screen Room Divider

Antique Victorian French Tapestry Mahogany Frame 3 Panel Screen Room Divider

H 68.5 in W 77 in D 1 in
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early French 19th century Empire mahogany and gilt bronze firescreen Screen has a period embroidered flower decorated insert.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Bronze

Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen

Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen

H 40.16 in W 24.22 in D 13.78 in
Fireplace Doors Fire Screen Guard, Metal Copper Brass, Austria, Jugendstil, 1900
By Dagobert Peche
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
An antique and gorgeous pair of fireplace doors manufactured in Austria, circa 1900. The doors are made of a thin metal grid which are decorated with ...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Iron, Metal, Brass

Fireplace Doors Fire Screen Guard, Metal Copper Brass, Austria, Jugendstil, 1900
Fireplace Doors Fire Screen Guard, Metal Copper Brass, Austria, Jugendstil, 1900

Fireplace Doors Fire Screen Guard, Metal Copper Brass, Austria, Jugendstil, 1900

H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 1.97 in
Mid-Century Modernist Four Panel Mirror Screen w/ Antique Gilt Wood Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and beautifully formed Mid-Century Modernist Four Panel Mirror Screen W/Antique Gilt Wood Detailing originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Featuring four panels in total with three sections of glass in each panel. The seams between the panels of mirror glass are subtle and give a good sense of scale throughout each panel. The framework is original gilt wood, slender and minimal with a lustrous red base color after which the gilt detailing is applied. The reverse of each panel is lined with a tagboard backing featuring a lovely geometric pattern in muted colors with silver pointillist detailing at each corner of the grid. Antiqued brass hinges connect the panels to one another and are of remarkable quality. A beautiful Screen...
Category

1970s American Vintage Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Mid-Century Modernist Four Panel Mirror Screen w/ Antique Gilt Wood Detailing
Mid-Century Modernist Four Panel Mirror Screen w/ Antique Gilt Wood Detailing

Mid-Century Modernist Four Panel Mirror Screen w/ Antique Gilt Wood Detailing

H 88 in W 60 in D 12.5 in
French Folding Brass Fan Fire Screen Peacock’s Tail Fire Guard
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Folding Brass Fan Fire Screen Peacock’s Tail Fire Guard This is a very attractive piece, the screen can be folded flat and sits neatly in its stan...
Category

19th Century Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

French Folding Brass Fan Fire Screen Peacock’s Tail Fire Guard
French Folding Brass Fan Fire Screen Peacock’s Tail Fire Guard

French Folding Brass Fan Fire Screen Peacock’s Tail Fire Guard

H 23 in W 37 in D 4 in
Previously Available Items
Directoire Chamber Screen in Mahogany French Circa 1790
Located in Hudson, NY
A beautiful, rare and rather substantial late 18th, early 19th century Directoire folding screen in glass and wood. Finding screens of this size is rather unusual, but this one is the exception. Everything about this was costly when originally crafted. From the 12 (original) wavy glass panels to the gun barrel brass hinges as they would have been custom. One side is lighter than the other due to sun exposure. But it also adds a duality to the screen and a little bit of dimension. The patina is stunning. Every bit of age and time is on this piece. Screws and hinges have been examined for age appropriateness. Each panel measures twenty one inches in width. This item can be viewed in person at The Berkshire Galleries in Great Barrington...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Glass, Wood

Directoire Chamber Screen in Mahogany French Circa 1790
Directoire Chamber Screen in Mahogany French Circa 1790

Directoire Chamber Screen in Mahogany French Circa 1790

H 72 in W 126 in D 2 in
Italian Gilt Florentine Folding Screen or Room Divider
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An extraordinarily beautiful giltwood Italian folding screen in the Florentine gilt style. Three panels with double hinges. Fantastic condition ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Giltwood

Italian Gilt Florentine Folding Screen or Room Divider
Italian Gilt Florentine Folding Screen or Room Divider

Italian Gilt Florentine Folding Screen or Room Divider

H 68 in W 46 in D 1 in
Three-Panel French 19th Century Wallpaper Painted Screen
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Three-panel painted French screen. Painted on both sides. Early 19th century. Some paint loss.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Three-Panel French 19th Century Wallpaper Painted Screen
Three-Panel French 19th Century Wallpaper Painted Screen

Three-Panel French 19th Century Wallpaper Painted Screen

H 63.5 in W 70.5 in D 1.5 in
Treillage and Mirror Directoire Style Screen, 1950 Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Grey and white lacquer. Treillage and mirror. Four panels. Directoire style. Work from 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Treillage and Mirror Directoire Style Screen, 1950 Period
Treillage and Mirror Directoire Style Screen, 1950 Period

Treillage and Mirror Directoire Style Screen, 1950 Period

H 71.26 in W 102.37 in D 1.19 in
18th Century Gilded Fireplace Screen
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful screen has been upholstered in a pink stripe jacquard, not the original upholstery, circa 1790-1800.  
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century Gilded Fireplace Screen
18th Century Gilded Fireplace Screen

18th Century Gilded Fireplace Screen

H 39 in W 26 in D 13.5 in
Circa 1900 Directoire style Painted Screen Divider with grotesque painted
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
. Four leaves . 1900 . Grotesque painting
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Screens and Room Dividers

Circa 1900 Directoire style Painted Screen Divider with grotesque painted
Circa 1900 Directoire style Painted Screen Divider with grotesque painted

Circa 1900 Directoire style Painted Screen Divider with grotesque painted

H 70 in W 85 in D 1 in

Directoire screens and room dividers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire screens and room dividers 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 screens and room dividers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire screens and room dividers made in a specific country, there are Asia, Europe, and France 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 screens and room dividers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $2,883.

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