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.
$14,000 / set
1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
Soft Blue and White Painted French Directoire Style Medium Size Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Directoire style armchairs offers a perfect balance of timeless design and modern comfort, making them an ideal addition to both traditional and contempor...
Walnut
Diana Armchair in Blue Soft or Black Soft Velvet
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair Diana upholstered in blue soft velvet with structure in solid wood. Feet in steel in gold finish. Also available in yellow or black soft velvet.
Velvet, Wood
$6,695 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Pair Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs, Bouclé & Beech, 1940s
Located in Rødding, DK
A rare and desirable pair of Danish Cabinetmaker lounge chairs from the 1940s — commanding examples of Scandinavian Modern design at its most generous and tactile, presented in entir...
Bouclé, Wood
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge Chairs
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge chairs. Elegant beechwood frames. Vintage Upholstery. Warm patina. .
Upholstery, Beech
$3,374 / set
H 30.32 in W 26.19 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Danish Scandinavian Modern Beech Lounge Chairs, 1940s
Located in Rødding, DK
This pair of lounge chairs was produced by an Danish cabinetmaker during the 1940s. Each chair is built on a solid beech frame, with boldly scrolled arms terminating in a rounded, ha...
Fabric, Beech
French Art Deco Lounge Chair, Blue Fabric and Walnut, 1940s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Art Deco Lounge Chair, Blue Fabric and Walnut, 1940s. This lounge chair is built on a solid wood frame with stained walnut-toned armrests and tapered feet, upholstered in tex...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Art Deco Pair Danish Lounge or Club Chair, 1940s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly stylish oversized club chairs made around 1950. The style is very a bit English and not we we normally connect with mid-century Danish butthis style was quite popular in Den...
Elm, Mahogany
$1,795 / set
H 37 in W 23.5 in D 23 in
Pair of Late 19th Century French Directoire Style Painted Armchairs, Bergeres
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of French Directoire style armchairs from the late nineteenth century features hand carved details of rosettes, scrolling, and acanthus leaves on the seat backs. The seats ...
Upholstery, Ash
French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Velvet, France, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of dark-stained bentwood and brown velvet lounge chairs or club chairs likely designed and produced in France, c. 1940s. Fabric distressed and in need of replacement. Wear co...
Velvet, Wood
Pair Jindřich Halabala Art Deco Lounge Chairs, 1940s
Located in Rødding, DK
A superb and highly collectible pair of Art Deco lounge chairs by Jindřich Halabala — one of the most celebrated designers of interwar Czechoslovakia — presented here in entirely new...
Bouclé, Wood
$24,000 / set
H 31 in W 25 in D 30 in
Pair of Bespoke Cerused Oak Alain Lounge Chairs in the French 1940s Manner
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Pair of cerused oak Alain lounge chairs in the French 1940s manner. Dimensions: total Arm W 25" x H 31" x D 30". Arm Height: 23". Seat Height: 16". Inner Seat Cushion:...
Oak, Muslin
$5,711 / set
H 30.71 in W 34.65 in D 33.08 in
Pair of lounge chairs by unknown designer, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A beautiful pair of Swedish armchairs from the 1940s, crafted by an unknown cabinetmaker. The chairs stand out with their scalloped backs and sculpted front legs in stained beech, ge...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of High + Low Back 1940s Wingback Lounge Chairs
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1940s Materials: Wool, Beech Measurements: Condition: Frames are in excellent original condition with wear to th...
Wool, Beech
Custom Made 1940s Style Lounge Chair
Located in London, England
A custom-made lounge chair developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. This chair has been upholstered in luxurious brown Australian sheepskin...
Wool, Oak
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French mid-20th century Directoire style armchairs.
Cherry
$3,250
H 36.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
Curvaceous French Lounge Chair circa 1940s Refinished and Reupholstered
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous French Lounge Chair, France, circa 1940s. It has recently been refinished in an ivory color wash and reupholstered in a blue and ivory color striped linen fabric.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 41.25 in W 30 in D 41 in
Nice Quality French Directoire Style Lounge Chair with Matching Ottoman
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood frames. Upholstered. Chair measures 41 1/4" h x 30" w x 40 3/4" d. Seat height 18 1/2". Ottoman measures 19" h x 30 1/4" w x 18 5/8" d. Condition Scratches. Minor finish loss. C...
Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 27 in D 32 in
Superb Pair of French Directoire Painted Upholstered Bergere Chairs Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb pair of Directoire style bergere chairs with beautiful upholstery and styling. The chairs are in a creme painted finis...
Beech
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 34.5 in W 21.75 in D 17.75 in
Pair Of Antique Italian Directoire Style Painted And Gilt Wood Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Stylish And Comfortable Pair Of Mid 19th Century Italian Painted And Gilt Wood Directoire Style Armchairs With Beautiful Patina. Please click KIRBY ANTIQUES logo below to view add...
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...