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.
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.
Walnut
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...
Linen, Upholstery, Giltwood
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).
Mahogany
$1,250
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
Brass, Bronze
$1,143Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English Adjustable Stool, Mahogany & Red Leather, Circa 1900
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.
Mahogany
$640 / item
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...
Beech
Decorative French Bronze Bench
Located in New York, NY
Decorative French bronze bench / stool with a linen-blend upholstered seat.
Bronze
19th Century French Walnut Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut stool from France with a wonderfully thick top which has a handle design cutout of the top and a multi-level beveled edge, following down to a lovely hand scallop...
Walnut
$2,500 / set
H 18 in W 22.25 in D 15 in
Neoclassical Steel & Brass Folding Campaign Stools, Italy, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of steel and brass Neoclassical X base folding Campaign stools attributed to Maison Jansen.
Brass, Steel
Brutalist French Walnut Stool, Jean Touret-Inspired, 1960s
By Jean Touret, Atelier Marolles
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a captivating midcentury wooden stool, meticulously crafted in France during the vibrant 1960s. This extraordinary piece serves as a tribute to the era's commitment to artisanal excellence. Crafted entirely without the use of conventional hardware, its distinctive triangular seat, elegantly flared legs, and meticulously carved gouge work are all fashioned...
Walnut
Set Of 2 French Artisan Stools 1960s
Located in ECHT, NL
A couple of beautiful Minimalist artisan crafted stools from the 1960s
Beech
Pair of 18th Century Late Gustavian Stools
Located in Ballard, CA
Pair of late Gustavian X-framed stools with lion feet, circa 1770. Original paint.unique pair of Gustavian stools, made in Sweden circa 1770. ...
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
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...
Oak
$3,750
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
French 19th Century Walnut Curule Stool with Corinthian Capitals and Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut X-form curule stool from the 19th century, with Corinthian capitals and new upholstery. Created in France during the 19th century, this walnut stool features a square...
Upholstery, Walnut
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet, Beech
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet
$1,650
H 19.75 in Dm 13 in
Round English Early 19th Century Regency Stool with Adjustable Red Leather Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency Stool with a round, adjustable red leather seat. This spectacular English stool sits firmly on four splayed legs decorated wi...
Leather, Wood
Midcentury Modern Stool in Pine, France 1960s
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
French Mid-Century Modern stool, 1960’s. Well proportioned design made of solid Pine with nice elegant curved lines and bulky legs. Made with attention and interesting details such a...
Pine
1960s French Brutalist Tripod Stool
Located in London, GB
1960s French brutalist tripod stool. Superb primitive oak stool with bobbin legs and carved seat retaining original bark base. In very good solid condition with light and attractive...
Oak
Pair of Curule Stools, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Curule Stools, 19th Century
Wood
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...
Fabric, Wood, Cherry
Zebra Hide French Foot Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1920s or earlier French Directoire giltwood footstool upholstered zebra hide with nailhead detail.
Zebra Hide, Giltwood
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...
Wood
Sold
H 26.38 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
Pair of 19th century Swedish Upholstered Black with Gilt Metal Stools
Located in London, England
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...
Linen, Wood, Giltwood
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...
Mahogany
Sold
H 31 in W 30.5 in D 15.5 in
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...
Upholstery, Walnut
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...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 18.5 in Dm 18.5 in
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...
Walnut
Directoire Style Zebra Bench
Located in Houston, TX
A 20th century gilt and ebonized Directoire style zebra printed hair hide bench.
Leather, Giltwood
Pair of French Directoire Painted Stools
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of French Directoire gray and antique white painted stools. Newly reupholstered.
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...