Directoire Stools
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
Pair of French Directoire Style Midcentury Giltwood Stools with New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage Directoire style giltwood stools from the mid 20th century with carved rosettes, fluted accents, saber legs and new linen upholstery. This handsome pair of F...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Stools
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Giltwood
Small French Empire Style Bench
Located in Buchanan, NY
A small Empire style bench upholstered in blue velvet. Add a touch of classic beauty and elegance to any space with this small Empire style bench. B...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Stools
Materials
Beech
Exceptional 18th Century French Mahogany Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 18th / early 19th century French mahogany stools. Ca 1800. Signed by Henry Jacob, master in Paris (1753 - 1824).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Stools
Materials
Mahogany
English Stool
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/832 - Antique English adjustable piano or vanity stool in mahogany, just covered in real red leather.
Height adjustable. Simple and elegant.
Category
Early 20th Century English Directoire Stools
Materials
Mahogany
1960s French Brass Stool
By Gio Ponti
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s French Brass Stool With Scrolls
Legs bend in per the design
Needs refinishing and reupholstery
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Stools
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Decorative French Bronze Bench
Located in New York, NY
Decorative French bronze bench / stool with a linen-blend upholstered seat.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Stools
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Stools
Materials
Walnut
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1950s French Vintage Directoire Stools
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Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's
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Elegant bench in patinated wrought iron and bronze. The sabots are reminiscent of Giacometti's work for Jean-Michel Frank. 3 benches are available; the price i...
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Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Hall Bench
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Empire style parcel-gilt mahogany hall bench, early 20th century.
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Rustic Oak Bench Wabi Sabi France 1930's
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Oak rustic bench from France.
Original wood finish with great age markings and patina.
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Romantic Vanity Bench in the French or Italian Style
Located in New York, NY
Decorative and romantic vanity bench, probably American manufacture, in the Continental style. Rope tassels, carved cabriole legs with upholstered pad seat, upholstery shows wear.
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Early 20th Century American Directoire Stools
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Upholstery, Wood
French 19th Century Oak Louis XVI-Style Bench with Cane Seat
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary little carved oak bench from 19th century France. This wonderful petite bench was made in the Louis XVI style and has a sinuously shaped top with a cane seat that is...
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Brutalist bar stool, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful hand made mid century oak bar stool with a steel ring foot rest.
Nicely finished seat with handy handle cut out.
Good original condition.
1960s - Spain
Dimensions:
Heig...
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1960s Spanish Vintage Directoire Stools
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Oak
1960s Dutch Pine Stool
Located in London, London
1960s Dutch pine stool
This is a charming 1960s Dutch pine stool, featuring a rounded seat with smooth edges that showcase the natural grain and warm finish of the wood. The stool i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Directoire Stools
Materials
Pine
Pair of Edwardian English Upholstered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of interesting Edwardian oak stools from England. The seats have been newly upholstered in linen and finished with single welt decoration. These are a great pair of quirky sto...
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Early 1900s English Antique Directoire Stools
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Late 18th Century English Oak Joint Stool
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century George III period oak joint stool from England. The top is made from a single board and has a beveled edge. This follows down to carved decorated aprons on the fr...
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Burgundy Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet burgundy upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characte...
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Mid-20th Century Polish Directoire Stools
Previously Available Items
Late 18th Century Curule Stool
Located in Richmond, London
A very rare and beautiful late 18th century Directoire / Empire style curule stool featuring exquisite swan feet. France, circa 1790-1800.
Why we like it
As classicists, we marvel ...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Stools
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END OF THE 18th CENTURY PAIR OF DIRECTORY BENCHES
Located in Firenze, FI
Pair of exceptionally elegant benches, dating back to the Directory period, around the end of the 18th century, approximately 1790. These unique pieces were made by skilled craftsmen...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Stools
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Zebra Hide French Foot Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1920s or earlier French Directoire giltwood footstool upholstered zebra hide with nailhead detail.
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20th Century French Directoire Stools
Materials
Giltwood, Zebra Hide
Pair of Directoire Curule or X Frame Stools, c.1800.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of painted Directoire curule-shaped or X framed stools. Made around 1800. They are in good condition with a worn original paint. Could benefit...
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Pair of 19th century Swedish Upholstered Black with Gilt Metal Stools
Located in London, GB
A striking pair of functional Circa mid-19th century upholstered Swedish stools. The stools feature shaped splayed legs and decorative gilt metal medallion inserts to the end support...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Stools
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H 26.38 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
Pair of French Directoire Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine pair of French Directoire mahogany stools with crushed velvet Leopard upholstery, a square mahogany frame with carved and gilded arrow...
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1820s French Antique Directoire Stools
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Late 19th Century Hand Carved Walnut French Directoire Banquette or Vanity Bench
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French walnut Directoire style banquette or vanity bench from Provence features beautifully scrolled arms and panels detailed with hand carvings of swans...
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H 31 in W 30.5 in D 15.5 in
Pair of French Directoire Black Lacquered Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Highly stylish pair of midcentury French Directoire black lacquered benches or stools with double "c" contoured bases and turned stretchers. Upholstered seats accented with brass tac...
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French Louis XVI Directoire Style Round Neoclassical Upholstered Vanity Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Louis XVI Directoire style round neoclassical stool. Item features distressed gold gilt accents, wood rosettes, solid wood construction, tapered le...
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Early 20th Century European Directoire Stools
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Directoire Style Zebra Bench
Located in Houston, TX
A 20th century gilt and ebonized Directoire style zebra printed hair hide bench.
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Pair of French Directoire Painted Stools
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of French Directoire gray and antique white painted stools. Newly reupholstered.
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Antique Directoire Style Embroidered Stool
Located in Austin, TX
This lovely stool has a beautiful iris bouquet tied with a blue ribbon embroidered across the upholstered top. This hand crafted piece has an hand-carved base, including floral detai...
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Directoire stools for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire stools 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 stools 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 stools made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include and Georges Jacob. 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,120 and tops out at $18,694 while the average work can sell for $5,450.