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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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Directoire
Fantastic Pair Carved Beech Wood French Louis XVI Directoire Bergere Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous, expertly carved pair of "limed" beechwood Louis XVI style or Directoire. The frames are very precisely carved, better than average by far and have a sophisticated...
Category

1980s European Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Smaller French Gilded Carved Directoire Bergere Chairs in Green Velvet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of French-made gilded smaller scale bergere chairs. They have been reupholstered in Brooklyn NY and appear to be in good condition with regards to their upho...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Large French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional 19th century French Directoire style armchair. This large Directoire style fauteuil is a timeless piece of French design. Featuring a beautiful white-distressed wooden...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Directoire Mahogany Bergère Attributed to Georges Jacob
Located in Kittery Point, ME
A Directoire Mahogany Bergère Attributed to Georges Jacob, its curved back and padded armrests with finely carved baluster-shaped supports raised on turned front legs and sabre back legs. With a spurious Jacob stamp to back rail. The term "Directoire" refers to a historical period following the French Revolution (1789) and preceding the First Empire when Napoleon reigned, but also to a style of furniture and decoration covering a longer period from 1789 to 1804. It is characterized by the production of furniture with simplified forms and ornaments, inspired by antique decorations. The profound social and political upheavals that marked this period had a direct impact on the production of Directoire furniture. The stripping down of furniture pieces, which had begun in the 1780s under the influence of Greek art, was accentuated during this period. The abolition of guilds by the revolutionaries also forced manufacturers in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine to simplify shapes and materials. Elegant and graceful, the furniture is generally small-scale. They retain the Louis XVI structure. The Directoire style adopts clean shapes, straight lines, simple curves, flat surfaces and right angles. Lines accentuate geometric shapes inspired by Antiquity. A typical trait is the pronounced rolled-over back, similar to a scroll illustrated in our bergere, evocative of the klismos chair. Only the more luxurious pieces of furniture use mahogany, an exotic and expensive wood. Despite his humble origins, Georges Jacob rose to become one of the most renowned menuisiers of his day. Unlike many artisans who joined their fathers or brothers in the middle-class family trade of furniture making, Jacob was from a peasant family and moved to Paris at sixteen to begin his career. He apprenticed in a joinery workshop and eventually became a master in 1765. He developed a reputation for producing inventive designs for chairs, beds, and screens carved with such motifs as twisted ribbons, guilloches, beading, and fluting. Jacob's reputation grew quickly, eventually spreading outside France; the future King George IV of England, Gustavus III of Sweden, and several German princes...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th-C. French Carved Walnut Bergere Chairs In New Floral Linen -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century French Directoire style bergere chairs that have been newly upholstered in a neutral white, beige, gray and blue linen. The cushion is a thick do...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Linen, Walnut

Pair Late Empire Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very desirable pair of period Lat Empire Barrel Back Bergeres that date to c. 1810-1820. The chairs have retained their original surface which we have cleaned and applied several coats of hard paste wax. The chairs are newly upholstered in a very high-end Kravet Couture velvet in the perfect shade of blue. In addition to their desirability, these barrel back chairs are very comfortable. They are the perfect addition to many settings from living room, study to bedroom. ****Please contact MJH Design...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Pair Directoire Marquise Bergeres
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of Directoire late 18th century or early 19th century Marquis or bergere a la reine. The quality and rarity of these chairs, in addition to their beauty, speak ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Down

20th C. Directoire Style Painted and Floral Crewelwork Upholstered Bregere
Located in Morristown, NJ
Mid 20th C. Directoire style crewelwork bergere with a cream painted wood frame decorated with bands of carved rope and draped swags. The crewelwork upholstery is accented with a com...
Category

1980s American Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Wood

18th Century French Directoire Bergere
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Directoire Bergere. This stunning 18th century period French Directoire bergère is the perfect side chair, desk cha...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

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 Bergere Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre 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 Bergere Chairs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C Carved and Painted French Directoire Style Chairs in Linen, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century carved French bergère chairs. The frames are sage green paint with almost deep russet painted details. The floral linen upholstery is recently do...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

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

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

French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

"Pair" of Painted Bergère
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted with gilt accents. Splendid as a pair, note that the carvings do not match. Sizes are nearly identical, varying less than an inch in H, W, and D.
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

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

Related Items
A Pair of Empire Style Bergères in the Manner of Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Pair of Mahogany And Gilt-Bronze Bergères in the Manner of Jacob-Desmalter. The Bergères each having armrests headed by finely cast caryatid herms. French, Circa 1880.
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Antique Bergère Beech & Cane Carved Armchair With Cushion & Reeded Legs
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Early 20th century Bergère Beech Decorative Carved Armchair With Cream Upholstered Seat Upon Empire Legs circa 1900s Height to arms 60cm.
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Early 20th Century British Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Fine Pair Carved Walnut French Louis XV Style Bergere Chairs Marquis Circa 1960s
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...
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1960s European Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Fancy French Louis XVI Style Carved & Painted Bergere Giltwood Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Moviestar glamorous pair of Louis XVI period carved giltwood side chairs. We love the restrained elegance of the Louis XVI style, and these chairs feature many of the details charact...
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19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

French Louis XVI Style Bergère
Located in Westwood, NJ
A finely carved fauteuil, the paper twist carved, arched top rail and downswept padded arms with scroll terminals enclosing an upholstered back and cushion seat, on a finely carved s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Wood

French Louis XVI Style Bergère
French Louis XVI Style Bergère
H 39.5 in W 28 in D 31.5 in
Early 20th-C. French Carved Walnut Bergere Chairs In New Floral Linen -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century French Directoire style bergere chairs that have been newly upholstered in a neutral white, beige, gray and blue linen. The cushion is a thick do...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Linen, Walnut

Rare French Louis XV Paint Decorated Corbielle Style Bergere Club Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very beautiful and rare "corbeille" style of bergere chair. The chair is shaped like an open basket and is very comfortable and classic. The chair has considerable and quit...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Walnut

French Pair of Louis XVI Style Bergeres
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This pair of French Louis XVI-Style bergeres are in wonderful condition. The frames are 19th century, hand carved with a twisted ribbon border, acanthus leaf arms, and painted in its...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Paint, Down, Wood, Textile, Fabric

French Pair of Louis XVI Style Bergeres
French Pair of Louis XVI Style Bergeres
H 41.5 in W 26 in D 21.5 in
Regency Mahogany Caned Bergere
Located in Essex, MA
With a curved carved back and sides raised on circular tapered legs. Nice carved details overall. Completely newly caned with removable upholstered original seat newly upholstered in...
Category

1810s English Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Brass

Regency Mahogany Caned Bergere
Regency Mahogany Caned Bergere
H 32 in W 20.5 in D 25.5 in
French Louis XVI Pair of Bergere Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Those charming pair of bergere chairs are covered of leather in the Louis XVI style. Simple and elegant they can be place anywhere at home.
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Painted Bergeres with Linen Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Painted Bergeres with Linen Upholstery, Early 20th Century
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Upholstery, Wood

Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Carved Walnut Bergeres
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A pair of timeless and elegant French Louis XVI armchairs from the 19th century having a shapely, upholstered back, with arched crest rail, all framed within molded wood trim. Carve...
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19th Century Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Previously Available Items
Early 20th Century French Directoire Style Painted Ash Armchairs, Caned Seats
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of French Directoire style armchairs from the turn of the twentieth century features scrolled seat backs detailed with a carved central palmette. The seat back is additiona...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Ash

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

Superb Pair of French Directoire Painted Upholstered Bergere Chairs Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb pair of Directoire style bergere chairs with beautiful upholstery and styling. The chairs are in a creme painted finis...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Beech

Antique French Directoire Leather Bergeres
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of armchairs, “Bergeres”, of French polished beech wood. Original patinated leather in nice condition throughout. The chairs are comfortable and extremely elegant.
Category

1910s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Beech, Leather

Antique French Directoire Leather Bergeres
Antique French Directoire Leather Bergeres
H 35.875 in W 24.25 in D 26 in
Pair Antique French Directoire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair antique French Directoire style Mahogany Armchairs feature the tailored, elegant lines of the design that has made it popular for two centuries! The wraparound seatbacks are fla...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

French Directoire Style Painted and Cain Bergere Chair with Conforming Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Directoire style painted and cain bergere chair with conforming ottoman C 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Early 1900s Era French Louis XVI Paint Decorated Directoire Bergere Lounge Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic French made bergere chair and is in a gorgeous time-worn painted finish with paint losses that add rather than detract from the charm. This chair is in good condi...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Gray Painted Louis XVI Directoire Style Bergeres, 20th Century
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of gray painted Louis XVI Directoire style Bergeres, 20thc., with squared upholstered backs and reeded and bead carved painted frames, with upholstered arms over upholstered cus...
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Early 20th Century North American Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Linen, Velvet, Paint, Wood

French Directoire Style 19th Century Carved, Painted and Gilded Bergère Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style painted and gilt wood bergère chair from the 19th century, with out-scrolling back, carved motifs and new uph...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair 19th Century Directoire-Style Bergeres
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional pair of late 19th century French Directoire-style Bergeres that have been newly upholstered in a luxurious Ralph Lauren Wool and Silk fabric. The frames are well-carved and detailed, showing just the right slight level of patina to their lacquered finish. The bergeres are super comfortable with new down-wrapped cushions and coordinating pillows. The Ralph Lauren upholstery...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer

French Directoire Style Cerused Oak Club Chairs in Blue Chintz, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of French directoire style club chairs in a vintage blue and white chintz. The frame is a cerused oak, and the cushions are down. Upholstery shows wear with no holes.
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1970s American Vintage Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Upholstery, Oak

Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Armchairs, Art Deco Fabric
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of French Directoire period hand carved walnut armchairs from the late eighteenth century features hand carved rosettes on the die joints, armrests, and seat backs. The armrest is supported by turned columns that stand on fluted plinths. The scrolled seatback rests on gently curved rear legs that are "en sabres" or "like sabers," in English. Newly upholstered in France in a stunning Art Deco...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Bergere Chairs

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Upholstery, Walnut

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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