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.
18th Century French Directoire Sofa in Walnut and Cream Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
Three-seater sofa with straight lines and a classic French design, inspired by the Louis XVI-Directoire style (late 18th century). Its solid wood frame with a natural finish supports...
Fabric, Walnut
1970s French Directoire Loveseat Sofa by Bloomingdale's, Solid Cherry
Located in Southampton, NJ
A French Directoire style solid Cherry sofa loveseat with subtle scrolled arms and tapered front / splayed back legs. Uniquely transitional suitable for placement in a variety of set...
Upholstery, Cherry
French Directoire Style Loveseat Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
A French Directoire style solid Cherrywood sofa with subtle scrolled arms and tapered front / splayed back legs. A unique transitional sofa suitable for placement in a variety of set...
Cherry, Upholstery
A Diminutive Camelback Settee for Reupholstery
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A diminutive camelback upholstered settee with serpentine back, rolled arms, resting on 5 paint decorated fluted legs with gold accents. Dimensions: 50 1/4" L, 21" D, 20" seat heigh...
Fabric, Wood
$7,634Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century French Mahogany Sofa, George Jacob Manner, Circa 1796-1825
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent French sofa, crafted in the late 18th to early 19th century (circa 1796-1825), evokes the esteemed style of Jacob-Desmalter, the renowned chairmaker and cabinetmaker...
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
French Sofa Directoire circa 1800 Grey Painted , New Upholstery
Located in Epfach, DE
French sofa or canape directoire with elegantly moulded frame. It is grey and green painted and the original surface is wonderfully carved. The sofa is new upholstered with an comfor...
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Tuscan Direttorio Dormeuse, Daybed, Italia
Located in Prato, IT
Toscana, end of '700 beginning '800 In walnut Legs in the typical shape of the Tuscan direttorio with carved and gilded wood flower Restored Dimensions: cm L194 x D63 x H96 Sea...
Walnut
French Bronze Mounted Mahogany Directoire Style Meridienne
Located in Dallas, TX
A very graceful French meridienne in the directoire style.
Directoire Sofa in Fruitwood with Paw Feet, France, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Directoire period fruitwood sofa with carved paw feet, France, circa 1800,
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Directoire Armchair in Cherrywood with light blue coating, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Prato, IT
Tuscany, Early 19th Century In solid cherry. New padding and light blue coating. Dimensions: cm H 100 x D 60 Seat height approx. 49 cm
Cherry
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam, Wool
$2,754
H 29.93 in W 66.93 in D 26.38 in
French Louis Philippe Bench Seat Wood Sofa or Banquette French 19th Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Louis Philippe banquette or sofa on wheels Carved with floral decorations and canelures. France circa 1840 Good seating with springs. The fabric can be...
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa
By ISA Bergamo, Federico Munari, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern curved sculptural loveseat or sofa. This stunning Italian Federico Munari inspired postmodern sofa, chaise or loveseat has interesti...
Stainless Steel
Austro-German 19th Century Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
18th Century Directoire Bergère Chair with Paisley Upholstery
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This rare French bergère chair dates from the late 18th century, during the elegant transitional period between the Louis XVI and Directoire styles. Crafted from solid beechwood, the...
Beech
$1,832
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 34.65 in
1970s, Danish 2-seater "Banana" sofa, original cherry-red velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2 seater "Banan" sofa in original very good condition: no smells, no stains, stable construction. Original cherry-red furniture velour, beech wood legs, springs in the ...
Velvet, Beech
Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Sofa with Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Louis XV style sofa features a hand carved walnut frame with graceful curves, floral accents, and a deep serpentine front, true to the Rococo spirit of 18th-century Fren...
Walnut
18th Century French Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional 18th century French sofa exemplifies the artistry and elegance of the Rococo period. Its solid walnut frame is adorned with intricate hand-carved details along the ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Elegant French Style Carved Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and deep French Style sofa with elaborately carved and shaped frame with a floral basket crest. The arm ends with carved acanthus leaves and bell flowers along the front frame and skirt. Raised on short fluted tapering legs in front and square in back. Upholstered in a very pleasing Aqua tweed fabric. Along with two matching pillows and two complementary machine embroidered pillows with leaves...
Wood
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Charles X Mahogany Sofa is the sublime expression of understated elegance! The style was born during a period of austerity when the court wished to downplay the ...
Fabric, Mahogany
$4,500
H 27.5 in W 96 in D 33 in
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery, circa 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery - Extra Long "you pick the fabric / make it your own" "current fabric is not the original fabric" "current fabric...
Upholstery
$3,850
H 35 in W 64 in D 34.5 in
Wonderful Flowered Linen Chippendale Style Camelback Loveseat Sofa, Midcentury
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful flowered linen Chippendale style camelback loveseat sofa with mahogany legs. We love the original bright flowered linen used on this sofa...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique French Directoire Style Painted Sofa in Blue Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant late 19th century French Directoire style sofa, sourced in Provence. The rectilinear frame showcases the clean neoclassical lines and restrained ornamentation of the Direc...
Velvet, Hardwood, Paint
French Directoire Walnut Sofa with Linen Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stately French Directoire-style sofa, crafted in solid walnut and offering timeless elegance with understated architectural lines. This three-seat piece reflects the restrained neo...
Linen, Walnut
Directoire Style Sofa In Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful sofa in gray lacquered wood with blue trim, finely carved with vases, pearl necklaces and other Directoire-inspired ornaments. Gray damask fabric and six matching cushions...
Wood
20th Century French Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th century French red velvet sofa in original fabric. circa 1900.
Velvet
Sold
H 32.68 in W 77.76 in D 35.04 in
French Directoire walnut Sofa Banquette Carved and Inlayed, Early 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Elegant Directoire beech banquette or sofa. Carved inlay wood. The mattress and the base are not included, we can make a slats base. Good antique condition. The upholstery must be...
Walnut
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
20th Century Original Club Sofa in English Style Two Seats
Located in Berlin, DE
Straight frame. Laterally slightly curved armrests in corrugated backrest. Three-part, detachable cushions on both sides. High quality original classic upholstery with classicistic p...
Fabric
Elegant Directoire Period Walnut Sofa
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Directoire Period walnut sofa. Needs to be reupholstered.
Walnut
Empire Period Steel Campaign Bed Circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period military style steel campaign bed. Circa 1810. Painted steel frame with patinated gilded ornaments.
Iron
Sold
H 34.65 in W 47.25 in D 25.2 in
Exclusive Italian ‘Directoire’ Two-Seat Sofa by Selva in Solid Beech and Leather
By Selva
Located in Voorburg, NL
Exclusive and stylish black leather sofa in ‘Directoire’ style handmade by the Italian company Selva in the 1990s (marked). The frame is in solid beech and very nicely made. The lea...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 36 in W 75 in L 36 in
Pair Rare Italian Carved Griffin Directoire Genuine Gold Leaf Settee Sofas C1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of French Directoire style, Italian-made settees or sofas. They are each carved with griffins and traditional French element and graceful taste. The frames a...
Beech
French Directoire Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th century decorative French painted directoire sofa. A very useful sofa of good proportions and painted patina.
Wood