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.
Directoire Style Steel and Brass Swan-Head Curule Bench
Located in Hamburg, PA
Directoire curule bench in steel and brass. Crossed tubular legs meet at a central rosette; four brass swan heads rise at the corners; brass webbed feet finish the legs. The seat is ...
Brass, Steel
1970's Maison Jansen Style Brass Upholstered Directoire Bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant Maison Jansen Directoire-style bench, often referred to as a window bench or ottoman, is a superb example of the refined neoclassical aesthetic that made Maison Jansen o...
Brass
Vintage French Directoire Jansen Style Mahogany and Brass Claw Foot Tufted Bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 20 1/4 in W: 38 in D: 19 3/4 in Elegant, refined, and unmistakably French, this Vintage French Directoire Jansen Style Mahogany and Brass Claw Foot Tufted Bench bea...
Brass
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Stunning Carved Antique Creme Painted Finish Directoire Style Bench Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite antique Directoire style bench stool showcases the refined elegance and neoclassical artistry of the late 18th to early 19th century aesthetic. Expertly hand-carved, t...
Walnut
1970's Directoire Style Ebonized X Bench with Cheetah Print
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
A wonderfully chic and unusual French Louis XVI-style ebonized X-frame bench, combining classical neoclassical form with dramatic leopard-print upholstery and brass hardware. Sophist...
Textile, Wood
19th Century French Directoire Style Sofa or Settee
Located in Birmingham, AL
19th century French Directoire style three-seat sofa or settee constructed of solid walnut having a high framed upholstered back with show-wood and torchiere carvings, a typical neoc...
Walnut
French Directoire Style Painted Bench with Light Blue Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely painted Directoire style French window bench. Nicely carved and painted bench with light blue upholstered seat. Very versatile.
Fabric, Wood
Maison Baguès Iron and Bronze Tufted Mohair Fabric Bench
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès iron and bronze tufted bench. Base is steel with brass hoof feet. Newly upholstered in mohair fabric.
Bronze, Iron
French Wrought Iron Bench
Located in New York, NY
Brown-burgundy leatherette top with a decorative wrought iron and brass frame.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$1,356Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Directoire Carved Draper Era x Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Directoire carved Draper era X-benches exemplifies timeless sophistication, blending neoclassical influence with mid-20th-century revival style. The X-frame design, a ha...
Walnut
Large Blonde Window Seat Banquette Bench Daybed Neoclassical Directoire Antique
Located in London, GB
A large and strikingly attractive Neoclassical blonde window seat bench in lovely antique condition. Likely made in the early 20th Century, in the manner of the late 18th Century Fre...
Pine
$2,880Sale Price|40% Off
French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Wood
French Directoire Style Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Bench. This lovely French Directoire bench or stool painted a gray/green color with dark blue accents with swan handle ...
Wood, Velvet
Decorative French Bronze Bench
Located in New York, NY
Decorative French bronze bench / stool with a linen-blend upholstered seat.
Bronze
LATE 18TH-CENTURY LARGE DIRECTOIRE-PERIOD BENCH
Located in Firenze, FI
A refined and unique bench handcrafted from finely carved walnut. The piece features a clean, rectangular shape, supported by trapezoidal legs. The seat is padded for comfort and cov...
Fabric, Nutwood
Directoire Style Mahogany Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Shaped curved back with three splats with pierced palmette carving. Drop in upholstered seat with circular fluted tapered legs.
Mahogany
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Petite Bagues Style Gilt Upholstered bench in needlepoint
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This petite Baguès style gilt upholstered bench in needlepoint is a charming and elegant accent piece that reflects the timeless sophistication of French design. Inspired by the reno...
Metal
Wrought Iron and Tufted Bench Style of Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron and tufted bench style of Maison Ramsay.
Wrought Iron
$24,000 / set
Signed, Three Maison Jansen Tufted Benches
Located in New York, NY
Signed, three Maison Jansen Tufted benches. The benches have tufted velvet cushions, black ebonized tapered legs with gold trim.
Leather, Wood, Velvet
$640 / item
Small French Empire Style Bench
Located in Buchanan, NY
A small Empire style bench upholstered in blue velvet. Add a touch of classic beauty and elegance to any space with this small Empire style bench. B...
Beech
Upholstered Bench with Animal Print
Located in Redding, CT
Upholstered bench with animal print upholstery. Nice cream painted stool base with brass beaded nails. Cream and tan animal print upholstery covers this traditional bench...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
French Modern Maison Jansen Style Iron Brass Long Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Maison Jansen Style Iron Brass Long Bench France, circa 1950s A striking French Modern long bench measuring an impressive 94.5 inches wide (7'8"), 17 inches deep, a...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$1,048Sale Price|34% Off
H 18.9 in W 20.48 in D 14.57 in
Maison Jansen French Neoclassical Rivival Style Bench with Lether Seat
Located in Hannover, DE
This beautiful bench is something special, the finely crafted brass feet in the shape of a billy goat's feet are masterfully crafted. The frame is made of brushed steel which creates...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Black Iron Lyre-Back Bench or Settee, Brass Swan Heads & Paw Feet
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rarely Seen vintage black wrought iron and brass lyre-back with swan heads and paw feet bench or settee with upholstered stripe seat cushion and two bol...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Ebonized Oak Christian Liaigre "Cordovan" Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present this ebonized oak luxurious bench by Christian Liaigre. Features lovely green silk fabric. Would look great in at the foot of a bed or in a living room. ...
Hardwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
$595
H 27 in W 27.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair. Item fe...
Iron
Maison Jansen Leather Campaign Bench
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Campaign Bench attributed to Maison Jansen. Leather seat, stainless steel frame, brass trim.
Brass, Stainless Steel
Iron Brass Leather Curule
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Spanish iron leather curule with large brass finials and accents.
Iron, Brass
Neoclassical Iron and Velvet Curule Bench, France, 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Art Deco bench with a painted wrought iron base and surround, with original white and gilt paint. Royal blue crushed velvet seat.
Wrought Iron
Louis XVI Style Upholstered Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XVI style bench with gesso and wood gilt construction, carved egg and dart trim, carved foliate fluted legs. The bench upholstered in silk fabric. Dimensions: 34 1/2" W, 15 1/...
Gesso, Fabric, Wood
Steel and Brass Campaign Bench / Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A well made bench in the style of Maison Jansen. Original upholstery.
Steel
$3,768Sale Price|25% Off
H 18 in W 54 in D 28 in
Regency Style Mahogany Bench with Button Tufted Leather Squab (COL)
Located in North Salem, NY
This handsome well made Regency style Mahogany bench is ideal in a foyer, mudroom, the foot of a bed or used as a coffee table in a den. The seat rail is reeded along with the six tu...
Brass
Antique English Jacobean Style Carved Oak Joint Bench Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique English Jacobean style carved oak joint bench stool circa 1920 A good size piece. Of good solid construction. Expected signs of wear to plank top, commensurate of age, ol...
Oak
Regency Ebonized Bench
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular upholstered seat. [used fabric]. With splayed legs and curved stretchers.
Fruitwood
18c French Antique Directoire Walnut Bench
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully restrained 18th-century French walnut bench from the Directoire period, exemplifying the movement’s emphasis on clean lines, balanced proportions, and classical simplic...
Upholstery, Walnut
French Directoire-Empire period window bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire-Empire period window bench, the scrolled ends carved with overlapping leaf scales, each end panel carved in relief with crossed cornucopias above openwork panels ca...
Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 72.75 in D 20.5 in
18th Century Italian Walnut Directoire Bench Having a Cord Seat and Open Arms
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Italian Walnut Directoire Bench having a cord seat and open arms. A beautifully preserved piece constructed of walnut, a prized material in Italy during the 18th centur...
Cord, Walnut
Sold
H 18.5 in W 23 in D 17 in
Pair of White Paint Decorated Faux Bamboo French Directoire Style X Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeosu pair of French Directoire style Faux bamboo leather lashed and wrapped foot stools or X benches. The benches are in good original condition and will show distresse...
Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 78 in D 23.75 in
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Carved Rush Seat Radassier Bench
Located in Birmingham, AL
A late 18th century French Directoire period hall bench handcrafted of walnut in the Provençal countryside near the picturesque hilltop village of Gordes, known for its white limesto...
Rush, Walnut
Sold
H 22 in W 47.25 in D 22.75 in
Outstanding Gilded Swan Carved French Directoire Style Rectangular Window Bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning French-made giltwood bench with super carving and gorgeous vintage upholstery that really compliments the gilded frames. The carved swans are very naturalistically...
Gold Leaf
Pair of Directoire Style Walnut and Brass Upholstered Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 17 1/4 in W: 26 1/2 in D: 16 1/2 in This elegant pair of mid-20th century Directoire style benches blends classical design with the refined sensibilities of the mid...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 20 in W 23.25 in D 15.25 in
Vintage Painted Curule Bench with Greek Key Embrioidered Linen Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Directoire style, curule bench having a newly upholstered bowed seat with nailheads, its ivory-painted finish showing natural wear, channeled, square-section X-frame legs, joined by ...
Upholstery, Wood
French 18th Century Directoire Painted Bench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Directoire period painted bench made during the late 1700’s. This bench is upholstered in a worn green velvet upholstery with a nailhead trim. The frame has diamond carvings...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
French Directoire style painted and gilt window bench circa 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Directoire style painted and gilt window bench circa 1950 having carved columns and rolled ends.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Gorgeous Creme Painted and Gilded French Directoire Style Round Bench Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved distressed painted wood frame. Gilt accents. Upholstered seat. Nail head trim. 21" h x 31" diameter. Condition Scratches. Minor finish loss.
Walnut
Sold
H 24 in W 50.75 in D 19.5 in
Gorgeous Circular End Creme Paint Decorated Window Bench Foot Stool Directoire
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Distressed painted frame. Upholstered. 24" h x 50 3/4" w x 19 3/8" d. Seat height 19 1/2". Condition Scratches. Paint loss. Chips along edges. Minor stains.
Walnut
Pair of Tufted Leather Benches by Baker Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Baker Directoire style gilded 22-karat gold leaf lion head wood benches with tufted leather upholstery and nailhead trim detail.
Leather, Walnut
French Directoire Sofa Bench Silk Patterns Blue Gray White 18th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Small bench Directoire period, end of reign of Louis XVI. Magnificent patterned silk upholstery for the seat and plain blue silk on the back of the bench. Very good condition. Grey, ...
Silk, Wood
Sold
H 36.25 in W 48.5 in D 24 in
Early 20th Century French Directoire Style Painted Ash Banquette, Settee
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Directoire style banquette from the turn of the twentieth century features a scrolled seat back detailed with a carved central rosette flanked by palmettes within a class...
Upholstery, Cane, Ash