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.
$8,900 / set
French Directoire Unique Fireplace Split Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully designed French Directoire canape highlighted with paint and water gilding.
Wood
Maison Jansen Rare Stamped Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and elegant Directoire style silver leaf settee with black raw silk upholstery on tufted back, seat and padded arms, France, 1950s. This settee was likely designed as a spe...
Silk, Wood
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
Vintage Settee Loveseat by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Settee...
Cotton
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Wicker Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous woven wicker settee by Isamu Kenmochi. Perfect scale, and very good condition. Rare, early piece of his work.
Wicker, Rattan
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Daverkosen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
19th Century Italian Diminutive Painted Settee in Tan Leather
Located in Essex, MA
19th century diminutive size Italian painted classical settee covered in original tan leather with nailheads trim. Perfect size for a small foyer or entryway. Great patina and just e...
Wood
Italian Venetian Grotto Seashell Settee
By Pauly et Cie
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt settee with triple seashell seat and dolphin & seahorse motif (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
Louis XV Style French Canape Loveseat
Located in Southampton, NJ
Early 20th C. Louis XV style Canape loveseat settee in tufted brocade with plush goose down loose cushion, wrap around back & hand carvings throughout. A very sweet loveseat of heirl...
Brocade, Wood, Down
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Fabric, Sycamore
$9,900Sale Price|22% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Directoire Green and Gilt Painted Parcel-Gilt Sofa
Located in Essex, MA
Directoire style green and gilt painted parcel-gilt sofa with elegantly curved back ending in flared corners. Sabre legs and exquisite carving and parcel-gilt throughout. Flared arms ending in scrolled ends with exquisite parcel-gilt foliate and flower decoration. Newly professionally upholstered in a creme color performance velvet...
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century French Directoire Canape Settee Marquis
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful French Directoire marquise with besides the directoire also some Louis XVI style influences visible. Very rare period piece. France, late 18th century. Weathered, small l...
Wood
Beautiful French Walnut Sofa Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine walnut sleigh style settee or sofa having lovely curves, cabrioile legs, and elegant satiny golden jacard uphostery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Ultra Chic French Directoire Settee Loveseat Bench
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderfully angular fruitwood loveseat with subtle decorative gilding and carving, with windowpane back and freshly upholstered in heavy gauge white duck.
Fruitwood
19th Century French Directoire Canapé
Located in Houston, TX
Unusually shaped French giltwood Directoire canapé or loveseat newly upholstered in oatmeal linen with spaced nailhead trim.