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.
$1,036Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Metal French Benches or Foot Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your living space with this exquisite Pair of Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Metal French Benches or Foot Stools. These elegant pieces beautifully capture the timeless appea...
Metal
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Carved Walnut X Form Stools Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Maison Jansen style carved walnut X-form stools exemplifies refined French design with timeless versatility. Each stool features a beautifully carved walnut frame, highl...
Walnut
$2,156Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Maison Jansen Attributed Mahogany French Directoire Footstools, Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Maison Jansen attributed mahogany French Directoire footstools, circa 1960s, captures the timeless elegance and neoclassical refinement that the renowned Parisian design...
Mahogany
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Dark Green Paint Decorated Tufted French Directoire Footstool Window bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your interior with this stunning Dark Green Paint Decorated Tufted French Directoire Footstool Window Bench. Inspired by the refined aesthetics of...
Walnut
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Beautiful Maison Jansen Style French Directoire Creme Painted X Bench Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style French Directoire crème painted X-bench, circa 1960, is a stunning example of neoclassical revival design that combines elegance with functional charm. Beaut...
Walnut
Pair of Swedish Neoclassic Painted Footstools
Located in Essex, MA
Each with carved seat rail with set in seat raised on carved legs headed by paterae and tapered with reeded tassel and fluting joined by a turned X-form stretcher.
Other
$974Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.95 in W 27.37 in D 15.95 in
19th Century French Mahogany Footstool, circa 1850
Located in Faversham, GB
A large and simply stunning 19th Century French footstool. Made in mahogany with delicate Ormolu mounts to legs ending in square tapering supports. The gently bowed sides are topped ...
Mahogany
Pair of Midcentury Footstools, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood The fabric shows signs of use Good original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Wonderful Transitional Chrome Velvet Stool Nickel Bamboo Jansen Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Perfect seating for the transitional or Classic rooms, this chrome / nickel stool with purple velvet fabric top done in bamboo chinoiserie design are so versatile that can be used in...
Nickel
$748
H 13.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Chesterfield Brown Leather Tufted Square Footstool Vintage Biker Tan Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely Tan brown leather chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice heritage patina to it We have cleaned ...
Leather
Pair of Claw Foot Stools in the style of Thomas Chippendale
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved mahogany, upholstered stool in the mid Georgian manner with shell carved knees, acanthus decoration and hairy paw feet. We are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time.
Wood
$530
H 14.57 in W 20.48 in D 14.18 in
1960s, Restored Danish Teak Footstool Reupholstered in Black Leather
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Restored Danish teak footstool reupholstered in black leather. Fully restored Danish footstool in minimalistic yet advanced Scandinavia...
Leather, Teak
Vintage Neo-classical Style Needlepoint Upholstered Curule Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage neoclassical style curule bench covered in multi toned floral needlepoint upholstery and nailheads. Bench, needlepoint bench, ottoman, footstool, floral bench...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,040
H 20.08 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
Fully Restored George III Style Hand Carved Bench Stool with Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fully restored absolutely sublime George III style vintage hand carved mahogany bench stool A very well presented hand carved stool, each leg starts at the top with a lions main then flows downwards with elegant cabriolet legs and finishes with Lions hairy paw feet The timber has all been stripped back, stained and French polished, its in perfect order This piece is designed as a large dressing table...
Upholstery, Hardwood
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
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Style Carved Walnut & Upholstered Foot Stool, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French style footstool offers upholstered seat over walnut base having carved skirt and cabriole legs, C1920. Measures- 18'' H x 23'' W x 21.5'' D. A French style walnut f...
Walnut, Upholstery
$4,013
H 18.51 in W 47.25 in D 25.99 in
FINE LARGE ANTiQUE VICTORIAN GREEN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED FOOTSTOOL BENCH
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning lightly restored hand dyed Regency Green leather Victorian Chesterfield tufted footstool...
Leather, Hardwood
Zebra Hide French Foot Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1920s or earlier French Directoire giltwood footstool upholstered zebra hide with nailhead detail.
Zebra Hide, Giltwood
Sold
H 18 in W 22 in D 16 in
Maison Bagues Style Gilded Metal X Form French Faux Bamboo Benches Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning pair of gold gilded metal Maison Bagues style x form benches. They are absolutely gorgeous and very rare and hard to find. The benches measure 16 tall x 22 wide x ...
Metal
Pair of Silver Leaf Upholstered Sabre Leg French Directoire Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful and glamorous pair of silver leaf directoire benches or stools. They are perfect to add a touch of glamor that you may be missing in your home. They each measure ...
Walnut
Chic Pair of Ebonized Gilded French Directoire Louis XVI Benches Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is one of the purest forms of Directoire stools we have ever had, and so beautifully done. The distressed gold leaf finish and original ebonized finish are simply superb. The be...
Walnut
19th Century French Carved and Painted Directoire' Style Foot Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorative 19th century French carved and painted Directoire' style foot stool. Upholstered in a beautiful rust colored floral fabric. A very fine accessory!
Fabric, Wood