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.
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
French Directoire Style Painted & Gilt Wood Diminutive Chaise Lounge, C. 1920
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This charming 1920's diminutive chaise lounge beautifully showcases the classic elegance of the French Directoire style with clear provincial and Louis XVI influences. Its exquisite ...
Fabric, Giltwood
French Provincial Chaise Lounge Settee, Fabric, Louis XV Style, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant French provincial chaise lounge settee, crafted in the Louis XV style, features graceful curves, carved details, and a ref...
Fabric
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
Harvey Probber Style Chaise Lounge, Mid-Century Modern
By Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Raleigh, NC
A stunning mid century modern chaise lounge newly upholstered in Kravet velvet. A piece most likely by Harvey Probber, although we have been unable to confirm. The frame is in very...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
French Louis XVI Style Chaise Lounge Daybed Recamier Circa 1930
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
An exceptionally elegant French Louis XVI style daybed dating from the 1930s, this refined piece embodies the timeless sophistication, graceful proportions, and understated luxury t...
Textile, Wood, Walnut
French Antique Swan Neck Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine antique French walnut recamier or chaise lounge with carved swan heads at posts, lovely neutral vintage upholstery and bolster pillow, circa 1930. The chaise rests on four ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,900
H 32 in W 69 in D 37 in
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly designed chaise lounge from Italy circa 1990's. It features quality construction with a stacked art deco form.
Fabric
1970s Rattan Blue Chinoiserie Style Chaise Lounge
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1970s with this exquisite rattan chaise lounge. The ultra rare chaise exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding desig...
Upholstery, Rattan
$9,700
H 31.5 in W 94 in D 30 in
French 19th Century Neoclassical Mahogany Upholstered Récamier Lounge Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant French 19th-century Neo-Classical mahogany upholstered Récamier. The lounge chair is raised by lovely lightly scrolled fluted legs. The straight apron displays a...
Mahogany
Regency chaise lounge
Located in Cheshire, GB
Regency Chaise Lounge – Featuring a carved back rail above an upholstered back, a graceful scroll arm, and a loose cushion seat. The piece is supported by elegantly curved sabre legs...
Wood
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Painted Settee with Carved Swan
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Italian Neoclassical painted settee features a multi-chair back style in a decorative floral painted theme. Slender tapering cabriole legs and a lightly patterned Uphols...
Wood, Paint, Fabric
$3,800
H 36 in W 84 in D 35 in
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Head Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a large impressive form, gold gilt painted carved wood accents, beige fabric, gre...
Fabric, Mahogany
$1,722Sale Price|40% Off
H 38.5 in W 65 in D 28.25 in
French Art Deco Rattan Lounge Chair / Recliner / Chaise Longue, 1920
Located in New York, NY
Authentic French Art Deco Chaise Lounge in Bamboo and Rattan circa 1920 with rattan woven in a cubist form and presenting a chic, slender profil...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 38.5 in W 85 in D 27.5 in
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Hand Carved Walnut Chaise Longue
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Directoire period walnut chaise longue from the turn of the nineteenth century features hand carved rosettes within lozenges on the die joints of both the armchair and th...
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 78 in D 34 in
Directoire Style Chinoiserie Black & Gold Chaise Lounge Double Cane Daybed Sofa
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Directoire style chinoiserie black and gold chaise lounge double cane daybed sofa. Feather foam stuffed. French gray or very light blue velvet uphol...
Cane, Wood, Down
French Walnut Directoire Style Daybed
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
French walnut-framed Directoire style daybed from France in excellent condition. A simple well-proportioned piece with elegant curved ends with sc...
Walnut
Painted and Parcel Gilt Directoire Style Daybed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Daybed, having a fielded frame, painted and parcel gilt; its double outscrolled-sides, flanking a 3/4 shaped and padded backrest, a loose, drop-in down cushion, over upholstered apro...
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century French Directoire Daybed in Carved Mahogany with Upholstery
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful and opulent French daybed or chaise longue in fine African mahogany from the Directoire period which preceded Napoleon's empire and followed the reign of Louis XVI. ...
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Style Chaise Longue
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Directoire style chaise longue with swan carvings was meticulously sculpted from select exotic imported mahogany, chosen for its natural beauty and workability. M...
Mohair, Mahogany
French Duchesse Brisee
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant French duchesse brisee or chaise longue. In walnut, this graceful Directoire chaise has been completely reupholstered in off-white linen...
Linen, Walnut
Sold
H 36.5 in W 62 in D 20 in
18th Century French Directoire Chaise Longue with a Black and White Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
French Directoire period Recamier, chaise lounge in a black and white painted finish from the late 18th century. This Recamier is in an old painted finish, but likely not original pa...
Wood
French Directoire Chaise Longue, circa 1840
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Antique French Directoire style chaise longue. A fine mid 19th Century example of French furniture making, this chaise has an all original painted finish on a wooden frame with class...
French Directoire Style Daybed
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful French Directoire Style Painted Day Bed, Upholstered in Linen
Fabric, Wood
French 19th Century Long Directoire Chaise Longue
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful unique directorire style chaise longue is impressively long at 6 1/2 feet! We have never seen one of this size and thought it would make a wonderful addition to any an...
Directoire Chaise Lounge
Located in Dallas, TX
early 20th century upholstered Directoire style chaise lounge, painted wooden frame with amazing form and detail, upholstery and overall piece in excellent condition