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.
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Fabric, Sycamore
French Sofa Directoire circa 1800 Grey Painted , New Upholstery
Located in Epfach, DE
French sofa or canape directoire with elegantly moulded frame. It is grey and green painted and the original surface is wonderfully carved. The sofa is new upholstered with an comfor...
Fabric, Wood
Directoire canapé sofa, 18th century, Tassinari & Chatel silk
By Georges Jacob, Tassinari
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful lacquered canapé, fine late 18th century Parisian production circa 1795 (Directoire period). Finely carved ribs and roses patterns, beautiful proportions. A high range prod...
Silk, Wood
Period French Directoire Mahogany Cannape in Gold Empire Silk Fabric
By Adam Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic Directoire mahogany cannape with lion's head arm supports and paw feet, accented by Empire ormolu mounts and upholstered in gold Empire style silk yellow fabric.
Mahogany
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam, Wool
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Large French Louis XV style cane back settee, also called canapé or sofa. Sofa in a very good state, no damage to the cane, rare find. Double-caned s...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
$4,950
H 40 in W 54 in D 27 in
French Louis XVI Style Wingback Settee with Original Gilding and New Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style settee from the early 19th century, with original gilding and new upholstery. Born in France during the early years of the 19th century, this settee features...
Upholstery, Wood
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful French Canape 18th Century French from the 18th century, in carved and gilded wood. Upholstered seat, back and arms. Dim.: 112 x 169 x 60 cm. good condition
Wood
$12,600 / set
H 32.5 in W 38.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of French 1900s Louis XVI Style Walnut Settees with Scrolling Arm Supports
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Louis XVI style walnut settees from the early 20th century, with scrolling arm supports, fluted legs and new upholstery. Created in France during the early years of ...
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
On Hold|$12,500
H 42.92 in W 79.53 in D 28.35 in
A Large Louis XV Period Carved Beech and Tapestry Canape, French Circa 1750
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large and Impressive Louis XV period carved beech and tapestry canape, French circa 1750 Height: 109 cm Width: 202 cm Depth: 72 cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection acqui...
Tapestry, Beech
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa is the sublime expression of understated elegance! The style was born during a period of austerity when the court wished to downplay the ...
Fabric, Mahogany
French 19th Century Massive Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive French Directoire 19th century fruitwood bench/settee is upholstered in a regal striped fabric of saffron gold & salmon pink. While the large scale might be generous...
Metal
$1,485Sale Price|61% Off
H 38.5 in W 59 in D 39 in
French Louis XV Style Settee or Canape with Floral Upholstery in Red & White
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely French Provincial Louis XV style settee or canapé recently upholstered in a gorgeous floral red and white fabric with 4 matching pillows two square and two tufted round pill...
Upholstery, Wood
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
18th Century French Directoire Settee With A Painted Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A French period Directoire canape, settee with an old panted finish is very comfortable and stylish. It has been recently upholstered in a linen fabric, but we sell our pieces for t...
Wood
Pair of French 19th Century Cherrywood Canapes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of French 19th Century cherrywood canapes. These sofas are elegant and refined, reflecting the Directoire style. Each has a straight upholstered back with a scrolling top and open sides with shaped uprights. Supported on four square tapering front legs and four swept rear legs. Reupholstered and covered in Guy Goodfellow...
Fruitwood
Pair of Cherrywood Canapes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of French 19th century cherrywood canapes. These sofas are elegant and refined, reflecting the Directoire style. Each has a straight upholstered back with a scrolling top and...
Cherry
Charming French 19th Century Settee
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming French 19th century settee.
Paint
French Late 18th Century Directoire Daybed/ Banquette
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful Directoire daybed / banquette. Structural in relative good condition. France circa 1795-1800, weathered and old repairs. Needs new upholstery.
Wood
19th Century French Directoire Canapé
Located in Houston, TX
Unusually shaped French giltwood Directoire canapé or loveseat newly upholstered in oatmeal linen with spaced nailhead trim.
Period Consulate Walnut Marquis Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th c. Carved Walnut Marquis Chair
Walnut
Elegant Directoire Settee Upholstered in Needlepoint
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very elegant settee, most likely from the Directoire period, with lovely lines: scrolled back,fluted and reeded front legs, decorated with rosettes and palmettes. Original off-white ...