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Directoire Sofas

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
20th Century French Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th century French red velvet sofa in original fabric. circa 1900.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Sofas

Materials

Velvet

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...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Walnut

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
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Cherry

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Walnut

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,
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Fruitwood

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Wood, Paint

20th Century Original Club Sofa in English Style
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 shiny with classici...
Category

20th Century English Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric

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...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French Bronze Mounted Mahogany Directoire Style Meridienne
Located in Dallas, TX
A very graceful French meridienne in the directoire style.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

18th Century French George Jacob Manner Hand Carved Mahogany Upholstered Sofa
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent French late 18th - early 19th Century (1796 - 1825) sofa hand carved in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter - an influential chairmaker and cabinetmaker who worked for King Louis XVI of...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Mahogany, Velvet

Elegant Directoire Period Walnut Sofa
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Directoire Period walnut sofa. Needs to be reupholstered.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Walnut

French Directoire Style Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional French mid 19th century settee in the Directoire style. This settee is a beautiful piece of furniture. The wooden frame still has traces of the original blue-painted d...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric

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1960s Italian Bordeaux Leather with Wooden Frame Sofa
Located in Rome, IT
Mid-Century Modern canapé, designed and produced in Italy during the 1960s In original conditions: the seat is comfortable and the leather and padding are in very good condition, wi...
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1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Sofas

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Stunning 19th Century Art Nouveau Cast Iron French Daybed
Located in Hastings, GB
An absolutely gorgeous cast iron day bed, made in France circa 1890, the deeply cast floral design with acanthus leaves and scrolls, it exudes early ...
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Green New York Velvet Loveseat Sofa, Designed by Sergio Bicego, Made in Italy
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Directoire Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Superb Carved Gilded 19th Century Louis XV French Provencal Sofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superb quality, elegant, 19th century French Louis XV canape, settee or sofa, reupholstered in neutal creamy fabric. It has a beautifully shaped giltwood frame with a lovely flowin...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Victorian Carved Walnut Settee, 19th Century
Located in Southall, GB
Victorian carved walnut settee A mid-19th century Victorian carved walnut settee. The settee has a domed back with a highly decorative carve...
Category

19th Century English Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Carved Walnut Settee, 19th Century
Victorian Carved Walnut Settee, 19th Century
H 38.98 in W 70.08 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, metal, leatherette Suitable for upholstery Measures: Daybed: Height:35cm :Depth :130cm Fabric and leatherette is torn in places Original...
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Directoire Sofas

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Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's
Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's
H 29.14 in W 80.32 in D 31.5 in
French 19th Century Painted Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Directorie period petite settee is in wonderful antique condition. Hand carved and built in the early 1800’s, this settee is sturdy and is sure to bring a lot of character t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Tufted "Cloud" Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A beautiful vintage suede "Cloud" sofa made in Italy, circa 1970s. This sofa is wrapped by a padded edge that makes it look even more like a cloud, it has 4 ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Directoire Sofas

Materials

Suede, Wood

Vintage Italian Tufted "Cloud" Sofa
Vintage Italian Tufted "Cloud" Sofa
H 26.5 in W 98 in D 40 in
Sofa Eclipse, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
An eclipse, a majestic spectacle offered to us by the sky, the unthreatening suspension of the ordinary rhythm of everyday life to which we can abandon ourselves with curious confide...
Category

2010s Italian Directoire Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

Sofa Eclipse, Italy
Sofa Eclipse, Italy
H 78.75 in W 106.3 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood Dimensions at layout: Height:41cm, depth:84cm, width:186cm Original condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Art Deco Sofa Set, French, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Art Deco sofa set French, 20th century in mahogany wood, fabric upholstered back and seats. Dim.: (larger) 89 x 139 x 81 cm. Very good co...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Art Deco Sofa Set, French, 20th Century
Art Deco Sofa Set, French, 20th Century
H 35.04 in W 54.73 in D 31.89 in
Mid-20th Century Regency Style Velvet Sofa
Located in Sheffield, MA
The mid-20th century sofa has wood cabriole legs with padded feet set within undulating front and side edges. The upholstered arms are fronted by inlaid curved wood panels. Seats fou...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Previously Available Items
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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Wood

Directoire Style Sofa In Lacquered Wood
Directoire Style Sofa In Lacquered Wood
H 36.23 in W 68.9 in D 29.53 in
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...
Category

20th Century English Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric

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.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Iron

Empire Period Steel Campaign Bed Circa 1810
Empire Period Steel Campaign Bed Circa 1810
H 45.28 in W 78.75 in D 49.22 in
Exclusive Italian ‘Directoire’ Two-Seat Sofa by Selva in Solid Beech and Leather
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...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Directoire Sofas

Materials

Leather, Beech

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...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Sofas

Materials

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.
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Sofa
French Directoire Sofa
H 33.47 in W 46.46 in L 33.47 in
Charming French 19th Century Settee
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming French 19th century settee.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Paint

Charming French 19th Century Settee
Charming French 19th Century Settee
H 37.75 in W 63.25 in D 24.5 in
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.
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century French Directoire Bench
Located in Kensington, MD
"19th century French Directoire bench", circa 1840 After Georges Jacob (French 1739 – 1814) Carved walnut 34.5" x 81" x 22" inches Seat ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Directoire Bench
19th Century French Directoire Bench
H 34.5 in W 81 in D 22 in
French Directoire Style Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional French mid 19th century settee in the Directoire style. This settee is a beautiful piece of furniture. The wooden frame still has traces of the original blue-painted d...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Fabric

French Directoire Style Settee
French Directoire Style Settee
H 35 in W 56 in D 36 in
Early 19th Century French Mahogany Sofa
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Carved mahogany sofa circa 1810 Very stylish and in great condition for age, carved and fluted front legs with tapering legs to the rear. Later upholstery which is in good or...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Mahogany Sofa
Early 19th Century French Mahogany Sofa
H 40.5 in W 72.75 in D 23.5 in
19th Century Directoire French Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elegant French Directoire period sofa in the Louis XVI style with newly upholstered cream and black toile fabric.
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Sofas

Directoire sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,650 and tops out at $8,900 while the average work can sell for $5,350.

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