Directoire Armchairs
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
Pair of Painted French Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These French Directoire style open arm chairs from around 1910 are a charming and elegant pair. With gently curved arms and delicate carved details, these chairs exude a timeless app...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Dutch Directoire Style Painted Fauteuil
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This single Dutch fauteuil in the Directoire style is in wonderful antique condition. The carved frame is sturdy and decorative with its original paint finish. The stripe fabric is s...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Pair of Directoire Armchairs, Cherry, France circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of antique cherry armchairs
France
Cherry
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 87 x 58 x 49 cm, seat height: 43 cm
Description:
Pair of elegant and interestingly sha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Circa 1800-1815 French Directoire to Empire Period Fauteuil
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-1815 fauteuil or open arm chair, French. Mahogany. Directoire to Empire period & style. Brass mounts. Turned, tapered legs with ring turned carving. Newly upholstered in a...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Brass
1950s Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Sitting pretty is easy in this pair. Stylish chairs
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Upholstered. 37 1/4" h x 25" w x 25 1/2" d. Seat height 18".
Condition
Previous repairs. Splits in wood. Chips. Dry rot. legs have been "tipped" and repaired.
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Antique Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Antique Directoire style painted armchairs, circa 1900. With triangular shaped crest rails flanked by acorn finials, down swept arms, elongated vase shaped arm supports, turn...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful late 18th century of the period Directoire Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. The armchair is very elegant. The backrest decorated with a carved in wood is beau...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Antique Period Pair French Directoire Fruitwood Fauteuil Arm Chairs Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Circa 1800 Period French Directoire Fruitwood Fauteuil Armchairs. Upholstery in light blue striated fabric with white sprigs. Coil spring seat foundation. Aged finish.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Fruitwood
Pair of Antique French Armchairs Directoire Style
Located in Buxton, GB
Enhance the luxurious charm of your home with this stunning Pair of Antique French Armchairs in Directoire style. The magnificent brown Beech wood frame and French-inspired design w...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Rare Directoire-style recliner armchair in walnut wood. Late eighteenth century
Located in Torino, IT
Rare recliner chair
directory style,
in walnut wood.
PERIOD
Late eighteenth century,
Early 19th century
MATERIALS
Solid walnut wood, upholstery and padding
DIMENSIONS
The potrona ...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Category
2010s Belgian Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Directoire Mahogany Fauteuils
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome and sturdy pair of French Directoire square back fauteuils are tasteful and comfortable. These mahogany occasional chairs are upholstered in a worn green velvet and accent...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Late 18th Century Carved & Original Painted Directoire Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A wonderful pair of French late eighteenth century with their original patina dating from Directoire period circa 1790. Recently reupholstered in a grey/beige linen fabric.
The fra...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of Antique French Painted Directoire Style Armchairs, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of French history known as Directoire was a difficult time, as it arrived at the end of the Revolutionary War. Furnishings in this style, such as our pair of painted armch...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880.
Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h.
Internal reference: JG11
Reference: 8063
Dimensions
28 inches (71 cms) Wide
30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Antique French Directoire Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Armchair is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation! The diamond pattern mohair is of the best quality but showing i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mohair, Sycamore
Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut Upholstered seat & Cane Back Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut with Upholstered seat with Cane Back Armchair in great vintage condition.
Measures 23" in width, 24" in depth and stands 36.5z" tall. Sea...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery, Cane
Set Of Four French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant set of four French early 19th century Directoire st. Patinated wood armchairs. Each wonderful chair is raised by circular tapered front legs with two mottled bands and end...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France. A set of 8 armchairs made during the Directoire period 1790-1810 in France. Frame made in dark staine...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Pair Of Armchairs Louis XVI Directoire Eighteenth
Located in charmes, FR
pretty pair of finely carved walnut armchairs (superb workmanship) from the late 18th century covered with brown skai (with wear and scratches) certainly work of a Parisian master ca...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Pair of 19th Century French Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful pair of 19th century French armchairs.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold & White Upholstery France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty beech armchair with a pretty tapestry in shades of gold and white in the Directoire style - 19th century
The very luminous white and gold upholstery makes it an elegant ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Directoire Style Caned Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of Directoire style caned armchairs with swan heads. Cushion done in a whimsical fabric with different breeds of dogs in canopy beds, etc.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
Armchair 'Directoire Louis XVI' 19th Century Waxed Beech Woodwork with an Orange
By Woodside
Located in Somme-Leuze, BE
Magnificent pair of armchairs dating from the 19th century in waxed beech very beautiful woodwork with a pretty orange leatherette
Very good general condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Beech
French Directoire Style Ebonized Carved Dolphins Desk Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
French regency Italian style with Ebonized arms & carved dolphins desk armc...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Cotton
Pair of Armchairs and Chair Stamped Henri Jacob, Period: Louis XVI
By Henri Jacobs
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Sublime pair of armchairs and a chair stamped Henri Jacob, round tapered legs, finely fluted, sculpted backs inside.
The wood has been entirely restored and the seats are covered ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Armchairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of French painted armchairs of good size and an elegant model with original paint.
Having deep seats and large feather seat pads. Elegant and unusual-shaped backs with pretty...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Directoire Armchair in Cherrywood with light blue coating, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Prato, IT
Tuscany, Early 19th Century
In solid cherry. New padding and light blue coating.
Dimensions: cm H 100 x D 60 Seat height approx. 49 cm
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on baluste...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
Soft Blue and White Painted French Directoire Style Medium Size Armchairs
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
1950s European Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful pair of French original Directoire - Louis XVI chairs, France, 18th century. Original painted French Greenish gray with blue accents. All pegged construction, these came ou...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair Of Directoire Armchairs In White Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Directore armchairs in lacquered wood bench, trapezoidal backrest and jacob style legs, Seats covered with a beautiful bottle gr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Lacquer
Directoire Living Room in Cherry Wood
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Salon Directoire avec des scènes peint sur tôle. Il comprend deux fauteuils et deux paires de chaises. Époque 1825. En bois de merisier et assise en paille. Très rare.
[+ descriptio...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Pair of French Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of French Directoire style painted armchairs, newly upholstered in stone coloured textured silk with gold scroll braid.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fruitwood
Directoire Walnut Desk Chair
Located in Essex, MA
The curved back with crest rail carved with a central urn, the carved down swept arms joining the seat. The seat swivels. The seat rail with guilloche carving, raised on carved taper...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Dining Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Directoire style dining armchair, a hand carved distressed beech and oak dining chair with turned top rail, down scrolled uprights and arms encl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Carved Mahogany Bergere, 18th/19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a high barrel back with padded arms raised on baluster pillar supports, raised on round tapering legs, upholstered in black leatherette and trimmed in brass nailheads.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Directoire Armchair 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This nice chair of directoire style is characterized by straight and simple forms. The uprights are made of turned wood with floral motifs on the connecting dice (seat and armrests)....
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Cherrywood Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A 19th century French cherrywood Directoire style armchair or Fauteuil, having simple geometric lines and recently upholstered in black horsehair fabric with a woven neoclassical mot...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Fine Pair Solid Walnut French Directoire Rush Seated Armchairs
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
1960s European Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Style Gilt Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire white painted open arm chair with gilt foliate decoration and shaped fluted arms, legs, and open fluted columns on back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
20th Century Round Top Armchair in Silk Upholstery
Located in Sofia, BG
ARMCHAIR in natural wood, resting on fluted baluster legs.
Work of the 30s
France
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
American ivory painted upholstered swan French Directoire style armchair.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Three Armchairs, Directoire Style, France, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
A set of three armchairs, Directoire style, France, 19th century
These elegant chairs are made of maple wood and have finely carved details. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Maple
Directoire Style Chair, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style chair circa 1930
patina and coating to redo.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Pair of Directoire Period Painted Armchairs after a Model by Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Directoire period: gray painted armchairs after a model by Jacob Desmalter . France: circa 1800 Seat height: 17 in.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Jansen Directoire' Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Directoire Style Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 19th century Directoire style armchair with pegged construction. Newly upholstered in textured purple/white fabric with plum linen back. Shell details carved to back with s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Colonial Safari Armchairs with Animals in the Back Splats
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A set of six French Directoire chairs with figural back splats depicting African animals
France, early 19th century
Each in elm and pea...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Elm, Pearwood
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French mid-20th century Directoire style armchairs.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Bergere Armchair
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
Very elegant bergere armchair handmade from beechwood. Beautiful wood decorations hand carved. Black paint with antique finish, white upholstery.
Category
18th Century Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century, French Louis XVI Style Six Wood Chairs and Two Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XVI style six wood chairs and two wood armchairs
France, late 19th century
Size: chairs, cm H back 90, seat height 46 x...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Stunning Directoire Style Fauteuils
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
This stunning pair of fauteuils in the style of Directoire are beautifully crafted in the early 20th century. Upholstered with an exclusive fabric from the Meissen Home Collection th...
Category
1790s Belgian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Memphis Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Memphis style armchairs. Chairs are newly upholstered in linen. Has mahogany arms, a painted steel frame with circular bronze trim and bronze base.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Directoire armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Henri Jacobs, and Jacob Freres Rue Meslée. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $636 and tops out at $37,900 while the average work can sell for $3,500.
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