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.
$4,980 / set
French 19th Century Set of 8 Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This superb Set of 8 French Dining Chairs are made with Fruitwood and a beige cotton fabric. They are French Directoire Style.
Fruitwood
Set of 8 French Directoire Walnut Dining Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Provence, France, this set of eight French Directoire walnut dining chairs showcases the restrained elegance and refined proportions associated with the Directoire period....
Fabric, Walnut
Set of 8 Maison Jansen Style French Louis XVI Dining Chairs Circa 1950s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your dining space with this exquisite set of eight French Louis XVI / Directoire–style dining chairs, crafted in the sophisticated tradition of Maison Jansen. Finished in a w...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Set of 8 Directoire Shield Back Louis XVI Style Distressed Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Bring timeless French elegance to your dining space with this exceptional set of French Directoire style shield back dining chairs. Beautifully crafted with distressed painted wood f...
Textile, Walnut
A set of six French Directoire style painted dining room chairs, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of six side chairs all painted and of pegged construction. Having rosette and diamond carved crests above pierced splats and upholstered seats, all supported by turned tape...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century Set of Six Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent set of six mahogany French dining chairs made in the transitional directoire pre-Empire taste. The chairs feature gracefully curv...
Brass, Ormolu
Set of Nine 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Nine 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation! The diamond pattern mohair is of the best...
Fabric, Sycamore
$5,343Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 be used as dining room chairs or side side chairs...
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
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.
Walnut
$7,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Directoire Period Set of Six Bleached Beechwood Chairs, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A very charming set of six French dining chairs from the Directoire period. The frames are solid bleached beechwood nicely patinated with pegged mortise & tenon joinery. Scrolled...
Fabric, 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.
Walnut
$6,294 / set
Directoire Side Chairs (Sets of 2)
Located in Westwood, NJ
Large mahogany side chairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French original. Dimensions: 23" W...
Wood
$6,594 / set
Directoire Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
Two mahogany armchairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat between open scroll arms and above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French or...
Wood
$11,000 / set
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining chairs. The chairs have iron frames, are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and brass ball feet. The chairs also have sloping arms and fold...
Brass, Iron
$16,874Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Walnut
Set of Eight French Directoire Style Dining Chairs, C. 1950
Located in Houston, TX
A refined set of eight French Directoire style dining chairs, dating to circa 1950, distinguished by their elegant tapered backs and restrained neoclassical lines. Each chair feature...
Walnut
French Directoire Side Chairs, Painted Wood & Velvet, Circa 1800, Pair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A regal pair of French side chairs from the Directoire period (circa 1795-1800). The chairs have chalk-white painted frames now patinated to fine craquelure texture softening the sym...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Set of Ten French Mahogany Directoire St. Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and complete set of ten French turn of the century Directoire st. mahogany dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square tapered legs below the ...
Mahogany
Set of Eight French 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and very unique complete set of eight French 19th century Directoire st. patinated wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by lovely turned circular legs at the front wit...
Wood
Set of Six Directoire Dining Chairs, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Set of six antique chairs France mahogany early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 88 x 47 x 44 cm, seat height: 48 cm Description: Set o...
Wood
Rare set of 6 Directoire Dining Chairs with Elaborate Carved Backs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant set of six French Louis XVI style dining chairs exudes classical refinement and timeless sophistication. Crafted with carved and painted frames in a soft antique white f...
Beech
Suite de six chaises Directoire d'époque bois laqué gris médaillon sculpté
Located in NEUFCHÂTEL-HARDELOT, FR
Élégante suite de six chaises d'époque Directoire en bois laqué et patiné, illustrant parfaitement la sobriété raffinée de la fin du XVIIIᵉ siècle. Chaque chaise présente un dossier...
Beech
$3,719Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Maison Jansen Attributed Balloon Back Circular Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This set of six Maison Jansen attributed Directoire dining chairs exemplifies refined French craftsmanship and timeless neoclassical design. Featuring elegant balloon backrests with ...
Walnut
Set Of 4 Directoire Period Dining Chairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A charming set of four Directoire period cherry wood dining chairs from the early 19th century A very beautiful set of superb quality, resting on fluted legs connected by wooden cro...
Cherry
$16,874Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Walnut
Set of Six Vintage Directoire Dining Chairs, 1960s, Black Gloss Finish
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We have admired this style of chairs for years, but it took 13 years in business to find this set. Custom made in the early 1960s by Indianapolis Chair...
Wood
$19,000 / set
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Brass, Iron
Set of Six Louis XVI Style Square Back Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite set of six French square back dining chairs crafted in the neoclassical Louis XVI taste. The carved frames feature a distinctive square back and seat with a Gustavian style...
Fabric, Beech
Set of Six 19th Century Spanish Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional set of six 19th century Spanish dining chairs featuring richly aged leather upholstery and beautifully carved wooden frames. The chairs display classic Spanish craftsm...
Leather, Wood
Set Of Eight Sheraton Style Carved Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine set of well made Sheraton style Shield Back Dining Chairs. Two arm and six side chairs. The shield backs with interlaced open swags and center tiered feather moti...
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,560Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 40.5 in W 23 in D 21 in
Set of 6 Maison Jansen Cerused Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
1stdibs SATURDAY SALE 60% discount Stamped Maison Jansen gorgeously finished set of 6 dining chairs each stamped "Jansen" in cerused oak with a clear shiny gloss finish and brass em...
Brass
$3,250 / set
H 35.25 in W 19.5 in D 16 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Painted Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Carmine, TX
This elegant set of six 19th-century French Louis XVI dining chairs showcases the timeless neoclassical style with fluted legs, carved rosette details, and gracefully shaped backs. F...
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Paint
French Oak Dining Chairs 19th Century Set of 4
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 4 19th Century F...
Cotton, Oak
French 19th Century Louis XVI Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Carmine, TX
Elegant set of six 19th-century French Louis XVI dining chairs, crafted in carved painted walnut with fluted legs and classic neoclassical detailing. Newly upholstered in a charming ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Paint
Set of Eight 19th Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of eight mahogany dining chairs in the Queen Anne style, consisting of six side chairs and two armchairs, the shaped central splat back with carved shell decoration flanked by ...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Louis XVI Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Carmine, TX
A set of six 19th century Louis XVI-style dining chairs featuring classic square backs, fluted tapered legs, and carved rosette accents. Upholstered in rich light burgundy velvet wit...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
$26,659 / set
H 35.44 in W 18.71 in D 16.54 in
Set of 10 Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Dining Room Chairs
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional set of 10 IRegency mahogany dining chairs, The set comprising of eight side chairs and two armchairs, each with pierced arched top rail, carved with acanthus leaves an...
Mahogany
Set of Eight Louis XVI- Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 Louis XVI- Style Painted Dining Chairs - 2 arm and 6 side chairs - all upholstered in Blue Cowtan and Tout fabric.
Leather, Hardwood
$6,480
H 35.5 in W 19.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of Six French Napoleon III Louis XVI Style Painted Dining Chairs, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A refined set of six antique French dining chairs crafted in the Louis XVI taste during the Napoleon III period, circa 1890. Each chair features a square, gently tapered back with fi...
Upholstery, Wood
Directoire Antique French Dining Chairs, Circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Directoire style antique French chairs made with solid wood construction that has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. We love the elegant stylized acanthus...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 10 Mid-19th Century French Directoire Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Paris, France, this set of ten mid-19th century French Directoire dining chairs is crafted from solid walnut and showcases the refined neoclassical lines that define the s...
Velvet, Walnut
Set of Six French Directoire Style Dining Chairs Bronze Accents
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined set of six French neoclassical dining chairs comprised of two armchairs and four side chairs, executed in the Louis XVI or Directoire style. The set features warm honey-ton...
Bronze
French 19th Century Set of 8 Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of 8 dining room chairs, they are made of walnut and mahogany wood and black paint inside the curve along the legs and the top. They have a large seat and nicely curved...
Mahogany, Walnut
8 Alfonso Marina Ebonized and Gilt Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 35 1/4 in W: 23 1/4 in D: 23 3/4 in SH: 20 1/2 in Seat height w/out cushion - 16 1/2 in Elevate your dining experience with this stunning and sophisticated set of ...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 18.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of 8 Maison Jansen Paint Decorated Louis XVI Trapezoidal Back Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant set of 8 Maison Jansen dining chairs exemplifies refined French sophistication with timeless Louis XVI style. Expertly crafted and paint decorated, each chair features a...
Walnut
Sold
H 35 in W 17 in D 21 in
Set of 8 French Louis XVI Painted Balloon Back Maison Jansen Attri Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a bright, chic and gorgeous set of 8 chairs in the style of Maison Jansen. They are painted in an off-white and feature a gold velvet of some kind. The chairs are in good con...
Velvet, Walnut
Set Of 8 Directoire Period Oak Chairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful set of 8 Directoire period chairs in natural oak Very beautiful chairs in oak and caning. The chairs and caning have been checked and are solid and in perfect conditi...
Oak
Sold
H 35 in W 19 in D 22 in
Antique French Directoire Style Dining Chairs W/ Butter Cream Velvet - Set of 8
Located in Astoria, NY
Late 19th-century French dining chairs made in French Directoire style, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid walnut wood featuring a long scroll back. T...
Velvet, Walnut
French set of 6 Dining chairs Directoire wood, black leather
By French Foundry Pierret-Depaix et Cie
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding set of 6 chairs in the Directoire style, made during the first decade of the 20th century in France, in walnut wood and with the seat upholstered in black leather. Simpl...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 33.5 in W 18 in D 17 in
Set of Six Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Painted Dining Chairs, Side Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of six mid-20th century French painted beechwood dining chairs or side chairs with their scrolled seat backs are classic Directoire in form and style. The turned front legs ...
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 37.25 in W 23.25 in D 25.5 in
Fine Set of 12 Brass Inlaid Rosewood French Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine set of 12 brass inlaid rosewood French Regency style dining chairs represents the perfect balance of craftsmanship, elegance, and functionality. Expertly made, each chair f...
Brass