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.
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
$1,091Sale 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
Decorative French Bronze Bench
Located in New York, NY
Decorative French bronze bench / stool with a linen-blend upholstered seat.
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.
Walnut
$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
$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
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
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
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
$14,875 / set
H 18 in W 20 in D 15.75 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Benches or Stools, style of Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical style benches or stools in the manner of Jean-Michel Frank.The hand made frames have a classic, X-form design typical of JM Frank are in wrought ir...
Iron
$15,900 / set
H 18 in W 20 in D 15.75 in
Pair of French Bronzed Iron Stools / Benches after Jean Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of stools / benches in bronzed wrought iron in the modern neoclassical taste expressed by Jean Michel Frank. The wrought iron frame is in the Classic X form and the apro...
Wrought Iron
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...
Marc Bankowsky, Bronze and leather bench, France, 2006
Located in New York, NY
A four legged piece in bronze and leather, perfect as a seat or an ottoman. Size and upholstery are customizable upon request. Marc studied at L’école Nationale Supérieure des Arts ...
Bronze
French Brutalist Stool, Solid Hardwood, Faceted Top, 1960s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Brutalist Stool, Solid Hardwood, Faceted Top, 1960s. This stool is built from thick solid hardwood with a faceted, chamfered top and hand-shaped tapered legs joined by a circ...
Hardwood
$197Sale Price|55% Off
H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Original 1960s retro vintage French Painters Stool
Located in Markington, GB
Original 1960s french painters stool.
Metal
French 18th Century Louis XVI Painted Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
An elegant French 18th-century Louis XVI stool featuring a beautifully carved and painted wood frame with fluted tapering legs and classic neoclassical detailing. The generously upho...
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Louis XV Style, Giltwood Long Bench
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV Style Bench: Expertly hand-carved by master craftsmen and finished with an antique gilded patina, created using traditional techniques and materials. Customers Own Material ...
Giltwood, Wood
Midcentury French Walnut Stool, Jean Touret-Inspired, 1960s
By Jean Touret
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Introducing a fantastic midcentury wooden stool, crafted in France during the 1960s. This piece is constructed without the use of hardware, boasting an elegant round seat, flared leg...
Pine
$4,180
H 20 in W 24 in D 17.75 in
"Hand Forged Iron Bench with Fortuny Fabric and Bronze Details, 1960s"
By Ironies
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"One of a kind" unique hand forged iron Base bench, with cast bronze details, newly upholstered in a one-of-a-kind Fortuny fabric.
Bronze, Iron, Metal
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
Sold
H 20 in W 20 in D 20 in
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
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 Östermalm, Stockholms län
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
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...
Pair of Directoire 19th Century Painted Stools
By Jacob Frères
Located in London, by appointment only
A pair of charming early 19th century oak painted stools with square seats and later painted turned legs popularized by Jacob Frères. Now upholstered in a Claremont silk.
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Ottomans
Located in Houston, TX
Stylish matching pair of French Louis XVI/Directoire style walnut tabourets/stools newly upholstered in oatmeal linen with spaced brass nail head trim. Please click KIRBY ANTIQUES...
Sold
H 17.5 in W 20.5 in D 15 in
Italian Directoire Style Steel and Brass Stool with Ram’s Heads and Hoof Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Italian Directoire style steel stool from the mid-20th century feature a black leather seat attached to four brass ram’s heads sitting atop four nicely curved legs. The stool is...
Brass, Steel