Directoire 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.
42
to
6
21
16
42
42
42
8,511
6,537
1,293
653
367
238
195
186
182
176
175
164
147
136
113
104
85
72
20
13
9
3
3
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
15
12
3
6
1
5
1
1
1
5
1
2
38
9
8
7
5
41
29
10
2
2
1
1
Style: Directoire
Set of 6 directoire chairs 19th century
Located in Somme-Leuze, BE
very beautiful set of 6 chairs reupholstered with magnificent 19th century directoire style fabrics
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Oak
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 Chairs
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of Directoire Period Grey Chairs with White Velvet Seats
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of painted beechwood chairs showcases the elegance and artistry of the Directoire period (1795-1799). The chairs feature a captivating openwork back adorned with ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood
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 Chairs
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Italian Directoire Painted and Parcel Gilt Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian Directoire painted and parcel gilt chairs.
This stunning pair of 18th century Italian Directoire chairs are pai...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Wood
Set or Pair of Italian Neoclassical Directoire Fruitwood Klismos Side Chairs
Located in Nashville, TN
In leopard or cheetah velvet. Both in hand carved and peg constructed. Directoire frames and of slight Klismos form. Pretty well untouched (other than new leo...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Fruitwood
Decorative Set of 12 Italian Style Dining Chairs of Carved Wood and Leather
By Florentine
Located in New York, NY
Stunning set of 12 matching dining chairs, of carved gilt, and painted, wood frames with unexpected and intriguing bubble gum pink leather seats. It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Late 18th Century Set of 6 Directoire "Etrusque" Side Chairs, Manner of G. Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of six sidechairs raised on circular front legs and square curved back legs, backrest with carved pierced latticework, the intersections of which are decorated with stylised rosettes, the top rail curved backwards. All side chairs are upholstered with elegant yellow / golden paisley pattern jacquard fabric by RUBELLI.
The set of 6 Directoire side chairs with its shape "à l'Étrusque" and its characteristic backrest design is closely related to chairs made by Georges Jacob (1739-1814):
Georges Jacob was one of the most prominent Parisian chair...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Gustavian Directoire Style Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very decorative set of six dining chairs of classical Directoire style, (referred to as Swedish Gustavian style). The open chair backs feature a central ca...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Directoire Chairs
Materials
Pine
Set of Ten Gustavian Directoire Style Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very decorative set of ten dining chairs of classical Directoire style, (referred to as Swedish Gustavian style). The open chair backs feature a central ca...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Directoire Chairs
Materials
Pine
French Late 18th Century Painted Directoire Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 18th century French side chair from the Directoire Period with a carved and parcel gilt cream painted frame. The backsplat with a carved classical urn. Upholstered in green Empire...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine set of four late 18thC period Directoire painted side chairs. Each chair has a different carved back splat painted black and in the full neo-Classic taste including a dolphin, flambeau, garland etc. The top of the chair rail...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Beech
Fine Italian Dining Room Set of Eight Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional complete set of six Italian 19th century Directoire st. olive wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square legs below the straight apron. ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Olive
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Style Cherrywood Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and unusual pair of 19th century, French Directoire st. cherry wood chair. The chairs are raised by slightly curved legs below a stunning straight apron with an attractive...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Italy 19th Century Walnut Directory "Gondola" Chair Restored new-Upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A nice 19th century walnut directory Gondola chair from Italy restored and re-upholstered
Measure cm: H 76\40 W 53 D 51.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
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 Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
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 Chairs
Materials
Suede
Set of Four 18th Century Chairs, France, Cherry, Painted, Directoire, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Set of very unusual 18th century chairs
It's a set of four chairs, all with different paintings of the Greek mythology.
Bourgogne (France)
cherrywood, oil colors
Directoire,...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Cherry
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French mid-20th century Directoire style armchairs.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
French 18th Century Directoire Mahogany Chairs with Silk Blend Upholster Fabric
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful set of four late 18th-early 19th century European Directoire period mahogany gondola chairs will be the perfect addition to your dining room or living room as they can...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
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 Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Directoire Chairs, Western, France, 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Charming pair of Directoire chairs, Western France, Strassburg region 1810-1820, cherrywood. The chairs are in very good condition with a new...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Antique Pair of French Directoire Style Arm Chairs in Light Celadon Green Paint
Located in Chicago, IL
Outrageous pair of extraordinary antique French Directoire style chairs finished in a great distressed celadon paint. Very comfortable, large scale antique chairs like these are few ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Chairs
Materials
Wood, Upholstery, Paint
Set of Six Directoire Mahogany Dining Chairs Attributed to Georges Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A set of six period Directoire dining chairs carved in Honduras mahogany. Identical chairs are shown in the reference book "Ebenists of the 18th century". While unstamped, this set comes with written documentation and attribution to George Jacob by a leading antique dealer in Paris from where they were purchased.
Georges Jacob (6 July 1739 – 5 July 1814) the most prominent furniture maker in 18th century Paris. He produced carved, painted and gilded beds and seat furniture and upholstery work for the French royal châteaux, in the Neoclassical style that is associated with Louis XVI furniture. In his workshop he employed numerous specialist carvers and gilders. In 1785, Jacob produced the first mahogany chairs à l'anglaise, for the Comte de Provence similar in many ways to the ones on offer here.
When he retired in 1796, Georges Jacob left his workshop in the hands of his two sons, one of whom was François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter who went on to become a leading French Empire Furniture...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Chairs
Set of Four Directoire Mahogany Armchairs by Jacob Freres
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each upholstered backrest with backscrolled top rail above an upholstered seat flanked by arm rests, raised on ring-turned legs; each stamped JACOB FRERES / RUE MESLEE on back rail, ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Directoire Chairs, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four French Directoire walnut chairs with a cushioned S-shaped backrest and a trapezoidal seat, standing on conical feet in the front and saber legs in the rear. The chairs were prof...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Directoire Cream-Painted Slipper Chairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each with a rectangular carved panelled top rail above a pierced vertical splat and an upholstered seat, raised on front tapering circular legs and saber back legs.
The exquisite qu...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of French Directoire Period Fauteuils
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of French painted fauteuils, period Directoire, newly-upholstered in museum reproduction cotton toile fabric. Paint appears original.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Chairs
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 Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Directoire chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire 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 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 chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $795 and tops out at $19,408 while the average work can sell for $4,530.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Scandinavian Chair Leather Metal
Mid Century Folded 1960 Chair
Accent Chairs White
Gustavian Painted Chair
French Cane Chairs Pair
White Accent Chairs
Wood Beach Chairs
Ornate Carved Chairs
Bamboo Leg Chair
Black Gold Dining Chairs
Early 20th Century Animal Skin Chairs
Italian Oak Dining Chairs
Golden Fabric Chair
White Oak Upholstered Chair
Vintage Fiberglass Chairs
Antique Circular Chair
Pair Of Rush Chairs
Scandinavian Painted Chairs