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.
Rare Pair 18th Century Directoire Penwork & Cherrywood Side Chairs, circa 1790.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Directoire Penwork & Cherrywood Side Chairs, circa 1790. An exceptional, highly rare, and beautifully preserved pair of late 18th-century European...
Upholstery, Cherry
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...
Mohair, Wood
Set of Eight French Directoire Side Chairs, Attributed to Jacob, Circa 1800
By Georges Jacob
Located in New York, NY
Set of Eight Directoire Side Chairs France, circa 1795–1805 This refined set of eight French Directoire side chairs exemplifies the restrained neoclassicism that emerged in the year...
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!.
Marble, Bronze
$1,100 / set
Pair of Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Directoire mahogany side chairs, circa 1800. With a scrolled crest rail, diamond and foliate incised back, pierced back splat, resting on turned fluted and tapered legs. Mort...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of late 19th century French Directoire period painted side chairs with their original patina. Lovely curved seat backs are detailed with a hand carved urn at each back t...
Upholstery, Wood
Directoire Style Carved Walnut Cane Back Desk Vanity Side Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This refined Directoire style carved walnut side chair perfectly embodies the understated elegance and neoclassical influence of late 18th-century French design. Crafted from warm-to...
Cane, Walnut
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...
Leather, Mahogany
Directoire Style Carved and Gilt Accent Side Chair attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 31 3/4 in W: 23 in D: 21 3/4 in SH: 20 3/4 in An exceptional Directoire Style carved and gilt accent side chair attributed to Maison Jansen, representing the refine...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Tapestry Textile
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Flemish Tapestry Textile
Textile, Wood
Late 18th Century Set of 6 Directoire "Etrusque" Side Chairs, Manner of G. Jacob
By Georges Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of six sidechairs raised on circular front legs and square curved back legs, backrest with carved pierced latticework, the intersections of which are decorated with stylised rosettes, the top rail curved backwards. All side chairs are upholstered with elegant yellow / golden paisley pattern jacquard fabric by RUBELLI. The set of 6 Directoire side chairs with its shape "à l'Étrusque" and its characteristic backrest design is closely related to chairs made by Georges Jacob (1739-1814): Georges Jacob was one of the most prominent Parisian chair...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,700Sale Price / set|22% Off
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...
Cherry
$2,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Upholstery, Wood
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 18.9 in
Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood Side Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of beautifully honey colored fruitwood Biedermeier side chairs, with gently curved rectangular backs, the top and side inlaid with banding, the splat carved with a stylized flower head, on sabre legs. Newly upholstered in black Prussian horse hair fabric...
Fruitwood
Pair of 18th Century Antique Elm Side Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of mid 18th Century elm side chairs from the Georgian period, having a shaped rail above a decorative shaped splat with turned side supports, wonderfully figured plank seat wi...
Elm
$2,725 / set
H 35.04 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Pair of 19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A pair of 19th century William IV period fine quality solid mahogany bar back side chairs with newly upholstered seats, in excellent condition. These strong chairs are designed with ...
Upholstery, Wood
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 Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Ormolu
$67,500 / set
H 45 in W 18.5 in D 21.5 in
Set of Eight French Side Chairs by Jean-Charles Moreux, Circa 1940s
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 French 1940s side chairs with arched upholstered back & seat on gilt carved crossed plume form legs joined by a stretcher. (att: ROBERT PAVEAU)
Upholstery, Giltwood
$25,000 / set
H 34 in W 17 in D 15 in
Set of Six Oak & Rush Side Chairs Attributed to Courtray, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A set of rushed oak chairs with a very modern design. The backs have a very distinctive construction. The geometric weaving of the rush sets the chairs apart from similar models of t...
Rush, Oak
French Modern Chair Attributed to Maurice Jallot
By Maurice Jallot, André Arbus, Gio Ponti, Jacques Adnet, Jules Leleu
Located in Houston, TX
French modern chair attributed to Maurice Jallot. This French Art Deco or French Art Moderne chair, side chair, chauffeuse or slipper chair is made...
Sycamore
$4,850 / set
H 39.75 in W 18.5 in D 15.5 in
Pair of French Art Deco Chairs Attributed to Raymond Subes
By René Prou, Gilbert Poillerat, Raymond Subes
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Art Deco chairs attributed to Raymond Subes. Stylish pair of French Art Deco hand forged wrought iron chairs attributed to Raymond Subes. This chic pair of French side...
Iron
Thonet Sider Chairs Attributed to Marcel Kammerer
Located in Vienna, AT
Katalog No, A 335 beech bentwood with plywood seat and backrest attributed to Marcel Kammerer. Professionaly restored. Signed Thonet on the frame.
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
$3,950 / set
H 30.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Style Urn Pedestal Round Marble Side Tables - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Italian Neoclassical Style Oversized Carved Wood Urn Form Pedestal Base Round...
Marble
$4,975 / set
H 34 in W 18.5 in D 20.75 in
Pair of English Regency Side Chairs attributed to Morel & Hughes, circa 1815
By Morel and Hughes
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Pair of circa 1815 English Regency period side chairs attributed to renowned cabinetmakers Morel & Hughes having parcel-gilt and gilt-metal mounted rosewood 'klismos-form' frames; th...
Ormolu
Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century Ebonized Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century ebonized side chairs. Ebonized wood.
Wood
Silver Gilt Side Chair Style of Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Silver gilt side chair style of Robsjohn-Gibbings. Has a leather seat and curved backrest.
Wood
Pair of Side Chairs
Located in London, England
Very near pair of rail back side chairs in elm, with rush seats. U.K circa 1800. H 93cm (SH 44cm) x W 49cm x D 44cm
Rush, Elm
Pair of 19th century carved walnut side chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century carved walnut side chairs circa 1870. Good quality pair of side chairs which would ideally suit a bedroom or dressing room. Cartouche shaped back rest surmount...
Fabric, Walnut
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...
Brass
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...
Upholstery, Ash
Sold
H 34 in W 18 in D 18.75 in
Antique 18th C. French Directoire Cherry Lacca Contrafatta Side Chair Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Directoire Chair. Made from cherry with a contoured back over a tole peinte or lacca contrafatta panels showcasing an old landscape / ...
Rush, Cherry
Sold
H 34.5 in W 20 in D 23 in
Green Lacquered Directoire Chair with Palmette & Cassolette Details(6 Available)
Located in New York, NY
A refined suite of six green lacquered wood chairs, distinguished by baluster front legs and elegantly curved saber back legs. The chairs feature rectangular openwork backs adorned w...
Wood
Pair of French 18th Century Directoire Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite pair of Directoire period side chairs made in France. The carved hardwood chair frames have their original worn paint which perfectly compliments the worn velvet fabric and...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Pair of Italian Grotto Style Shell Back Side Chairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Directoire / Grotto style beech wood side chairs with shell carved backs, made in Italy, circa 1970's.
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 33.25 in W 16 in D 17.5 in
Pair of French Directoire Period Walnut Side Chairs with Carved Stags
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire period walnut side chairs from the early 19th century, with out-scrolling backs, carved stag splats, rush seats and small cushions. We currently have thre...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 19 in D 16.5 in
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...
Fruitwood
French Directoire Style Green Velvet Chair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Directoire Style chair, upholstered in green velvet. The Directoire or Directory style takes its name from the period 1795–1799 when France was ruled by a government of Di...
Wood, Velvet
Sold
H 33 in W 19 in D 17 in
Set of Six 20th Century Directoire Style Walnut Dining Chairs or Side Chairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of six French Directoire style dining chairs from the mid-20th century are constructed of solid walnut. They feature scrolled seat backs and turned front legs. The square ba...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 16.5 in D 18 in
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...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 35.25 in W 19 in D 18 in
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...
Wood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Jansen French Directoire Style Beige and Gilt Painted Wood and Black Leather
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 French Directoire-style (mid-20th Century) side chairs with ivory painted and gilt wood frames, giltwood urn and plume design open carved backs, and black leather slip seats...
Wood, Leather, Upholstery
French Directoire Style Walnut Dining Side Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Birmingham, AL
Set of six vintage French Directoire style side chairs handcrafted of walnut, circa 1970s. These Neoclassical dining chairs feature a tailored look with a curved, wraparound back rai...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 19 in D 18 in
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs Occasional 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 classic hand carved palmet...
Mohair, Wood