Directoire Side Chairs
DIRECTOIRE STYLE
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.
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Style: Directoire
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Tapestry Textile
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Flemish Tapestry Textile
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Textile, Wood
$1,920 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of late eighteenth century French Directoire period painted side chairs features its original patina. Their curved seat backs are detailed with a hand carved laurels at the...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Ash
Pair of 18th Century Italian Directoire Painted and Parcel Gilt Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian Directoire painted and parcel gilt chairs.
This stunning pair of 18th century Italian Directoire chairs are pain...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Wood
Pair of French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble side tables. These tables are extremely fine quality and a gorgeous finish. Creates a very polished look!.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair Of Antique French Custom Upholstered Carved Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of heavy wood side chairs are in a walnut stain with carved details. The backs with ribbed frames and the front seat rails with decorative brass appliques with rosettes flan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Charles Percier
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
All six frames featuring swan shaped brass inlaid motifs strikingly silhouetted against ebonized panels within brass moldings, over hand carved lyre-shaped splats replete with brass 'strings'. The frames also featuring brass strung stiles, front seat rails & sabre-leg front supports. All are in exceptionally sound condition due to the classical construction method of using oak as the secondary wood for added strength & durability.
The swan motif was highly favored by cabinetmakers & mount makers during the Directoire Period and was associated with Napoleons consort Josephine, by interpreting her protective nature towards her children like that of a swan towards it's cygnets).
For comparative examples see works by Charles Percier...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Set of 6 Antique French Directoire Style Painted Cane Back Dining Side Chairs
Located in Birmingham, AL
A handsome set of 6 early 20th century French Directoire style painted dining side chairs, circa 1920s, having hand caned backs, upholstered seats with nailhead trim, and typical neo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Late 18th century carved and painted Directoire side chairs. Featuring a lovely patina and upholstered in a pastel plaid. Pretty! Circa 1795
19w x 15d x 34.5h
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$2,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Directoire Style Carved Walnut Cane Back Desk Vanity Side Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous and very unique chair that matches a Grosfeld House attributed Cartonier Desk. It can be mated with that desk or used as a vanity or side chair. The chair is in go...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Pair of French Black and Gold Trim Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French black and gold trim side chairs. Upholstered in a linen blend fabric. Hollywood Regency style.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$5,800 / set
Pair of Directoire Chairs, Western, France, 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Charming pair of Directoire chairs, Western France, Strassburg region 1810-1820, cherrywood. The chairs are in very good condition with a new...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
Materials
Cherry
$1,700 Sale Price / set
22% Off
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18th Century Swedish Rococo Side Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 18th century Swedish Rococo side chair, circa 1770. Original finish, leather upholstery later applied.
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Pair of 18th Century Swedish Rococo Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Rococo period walnut side chairs from the 18th century, with upholstery and cabriole legs. Created in Sweden during the 18th century, each of this pair of Rococo ch...
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French Pair of Side Poplar Chairs Swiss Alp Style 19th Century
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Pair of Late 18th/Early 19th Century, Painted Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
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$1,850 / set
H 35.25 in W 19 in D 17.5 in
Pair Of 19th Century Austrian Neoclassical Biedermeier Side Chairs
Located in Westport, CT
Sublime form graces these neoclassic Biedermeier chairs in a warm walnut veneer with ebonized trim
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Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm
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18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Side Chair
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Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
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H 33.5 in W 19.25 in D 16.5 in
Pair Of Antique French Directoire Period Painted Armchairs, Late 18th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
PAIR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS
A pair of extremely romantic chairs with carved frames, painted in a buttery cream paint with sap green and orange details. naturally worn ...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Side Chairs
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$1,951 / set
H 33.47 in W 22.84 in D 22.45 in
Pair of 1950s French Side Chairs in the Style of Charles Dudouyt
Located in London, London
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H 40.16 in W 18.12 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Italian Renaissance Revival Side Chairs, 19th Century
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Previously Available Items
Antique 18th C. French Directoire Cherry Lacca Contrafatta Side Chair Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
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H 34 in W 18 in D 18.75 in
Green Lacquered Directoire Chair with Palmette & Cassolette Details(6 Available)
Located in New York, NY
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H 34.5 in W 20 in D 23 in
Pair of French 18th Century Directoire Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
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Pair of Italian Grotto Style Shell Back Side Chairs
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Pair of Directoire / Grotto style beech wood side chairs with shell carved backs, made in Italy, circa 1970's.
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Pair of French Directoire Period Walnut Side Chairs with Carved Stags
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Set or Pair of Italian Neoclassical Directoire Fruitwood Klismos Side Chairs
Located in Nashville, TN
In leopard or cheetah velvet. Both in hand carved and peg constructed. Directoire frames and of slight Klismos form. Pretty well untouched (other than new leo...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Side Chairs
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H 36 in W 19 in D 16.5 in
French Directoire Style Green Velvet Chair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
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Set of Six 20th Century Directoire Style Walnut Dining Chairs or Side Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
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Set of Six Early 20th Century French Directoire Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of six early twentieth century French Directoire style dining chairs or side chairs features a scrolled seatback detailed with a palmette and a stylized rosette inset in a d...
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H 34 in W 16.5 in D 18 in
Jansen French Directoire Style Beige and Gilt Painted Wood and Black Leather
Located in Queens, NY
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H 35.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Pair of 19th century Swedish Upholstered Black with Gilt Metal Stools
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H 26.38 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
French Directoire Style Walnut Dining Side Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Birmingham, AL
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Directoire side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire side chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, upholstery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,800 and tops out at $5,800 while the average work can sell for $5,800.