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Directoire Bergere Chairs

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
Color:  Beige
Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere
Located in New York, NY
Elegant faux suede Directoire style bergere with fluted and tapered legs and curved columnar arm details. Natural colored wood showing great a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Suede

Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere
Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere

Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere

18th Century Directoire Painted Ladies' Chair
Located in Carmel, CA
Directoire upholstered ladies' bergère with down cushion and sold scroll back. The chair has upholstered arms resting on balustrade columns and scabbard legs with block with rosette detail. The two tone paint is original. The Lee Jofa fabric is a tea stained hand printed fabric...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Paint

18th Century Directoire Painted Ladies' Chair
18th Century Directoire Painted Ladies' Chair

18th Century Directoire Painted Ladies' Chair

French Early 20th Century Painted Directoire Style Bergère
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous early 20th century bergère, with taupe painted frame, made in the Directoire style in France, circa 1900. This beautiful, large chair has a linear back that is juxtaposed ...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

French Early 20th Century Painted Directoire Style Bergère
French Early 20th Century Painted Directoire Style Bergère

French Early 20th Century Painted Directoire Style Bergère

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H 38.59 in W 28.35 in D 27.56 in
Early 20th Century French Bergere Chair
Located in Charlottesville, VA
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Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900. This chair has just been reupholstered in a burlap type fabric.
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Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900.
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Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900.

H 35.75 in W 25 in D 26 in
French 18th Century Walnut Corner Cane Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th Century French walnut corner caned chair with a thin parchment colored leather pillow.   
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Located in Charleston, SC
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19th Century Louis XV Style Painted French Bergère
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H 40 in W 27 in D 27 in
18th Century Walnut Bregere, Upholstered
Located in El Monte, CA
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H 37.75 in W 32 in D 30 in
French Late 18th Century Painted Directoire Chair
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H 34 in W 18 in D 15 in
Pair 18th Century French Walnut Bergere Arm Chairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
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Pair 18th Century French Walnut Bergere Arm Chairs
Pair 18th Century French Walnut Bergere Arm Chairs

Pair 18th Century French Walnut Bergere Arm Chairs

H 40.16 in W 27.56 in D 24.41 in
A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.
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Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

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A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.
A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.

A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.

H 36 in W 24 in D 25.5 in
French 18th Century Lacquered Directoire Bergère
Located in Madrid, ES
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H 36.23 in W 24.81 in D 24.02 in
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Located in Baton Rouge, LA
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Pair of Bergere Chairs in the Directoire Style
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Located in Austin, TX
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1860s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Elegant Antique French Directoire Bergère
Elegant Antique French Directoire Bergère

Elegant Antique French Directoire Bergère

H 39 in W 26.25 in D 25.25 in

Directoire bergere chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire bergere chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bergere chairs 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 bergere chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America 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 bergere chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $640 and tops out at $24,850 while the average work can sell for $3,473.

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