Directoire Seating
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
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and
losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
20th C. Directoire Style Painted and Floral Crewelwork Upholstered Bregere
Located in Morristown, NJ
Mid 20th C. Directoire style crewelwork bergere with a cream painted wood frame decorated with bands of carved rope and draped swags. The crewelwork upholstery is accented with a com...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
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...
Category
20th Century Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 French Directoire Walnut Chairs
Located in Jersey City, NJ
These chairs were purchased in France. There are in walnut. covered with a beige cotton wool fabric and show signs of previous use.
They have the elegance of the Directoire and can...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Hand Carved Walnut Daybed
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Directoire period walnut daybed from the late eighteenth century features hand carved rosettes on the die joints. Each end is crowned with a double faced pediment detaile...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Maison Jansen Style White Painted Upholstered French Directoire Desk Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Directoire French-made Maison Jansen style armchair. The chair looks like Jansen and may very well be but isn't marked. The chair is in good condition with normal ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Fantastic Pair Carved Beech Wood French Louis XVI Directoire Bergere Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous, expertly carved pair of "limed" beechwood Louis XVI style or Directoire. The frames are very precisely carved, better than average by far and have a sophisticated...
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Beech
Fine Set 8 Maison Jansen Distressed Paint Decorated Balloon Back Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb set of 8 signed Maison Jansen balloon back style Directoire dining chairs. The chairs are in exceptional distressed condition an...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Beech
Fantastic Shabby Distressted Multicolored Maison Jansen Style Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Distressed. Upholstered. 38 1/2" h x 23" w x 24" d. Seat height 20".
Condition
Minor stains.
Dimensions
39 x 23 x 24 in
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Style Swag Arm Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style swag arm chairs with sliver leaf accents upholstered in fine cut velvet on linen ground. Klismos styling to the front legs with heirloom quality coil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Directoire Seating
Materials
Silver Leaf
Six painted and gilt upholstered directoire style dining chairs circa 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Six painted and gilt upholstered directoire style dining chairs circa 1940 with recent fabric.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Smaller French Gilded Carved Directoire Bergere Chairs in Green Velvet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of French-made gilded smaller scale bergere chairs. They have been reupholstered in Brooklyn NY and appear to be in good condition with regards to their upho...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Set of 6 directoire chairs 19th century
Located in Somme-Leuze, BE
very beautiful set of 6 chairs reupholstered with magnificent 19th century directoire style fabrics
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Oak
Pair of Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Metal French Benches or Foot Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Nice pair of metal faux bamboo Maison Bagues style rectangular benches. The benches have plastic white toe caps to protect the floor. We can see one is missing. They are in good vint...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Metal
Dutch Directoire Style Painted Fauteuil
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This single Dutch fauteuil in the Directoire style is in wonderful antique condition. The carved frame is sturdy and decorative with its original paint finish. The stripe fabric is s...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Tapestry Textile
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Flemish Tapestry Textile
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
Pair of Painted French Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These French Directoire style open arm chairs from around 1910 are a charming and elegant pair. With gently curved arms and delicate carved details, these chairs exude a timeless app...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Antique Neoclassical Finely Carved Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine 19th century set of 4 French neoclassical dining chairs from the Directoire period with stunning intricately carved walnut frames (see photos for detail). Lovely curved backsp...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century Transition Directoire to Empire Style French Settee
Located in Houston, US
Very stylish French settee exhibiting Directoire style transitioning to French Empire style. The settee is painted, but was probably originally in mahogany. It's graceful shape is ac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Circa 1800-1815 French Directoire to Empire Period Fauteuil
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-1815 fauteuil or open arm chair, French. Mahogany. Directoire to Empire period & style. Brass mounts. Turned, tapered legs with ring turned carving. Newly upholstered in a...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Directoire Armchairs, Cherry, France circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of antique cherry armchairs
France
Cherry
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 87 x 58 x 49 cm, seat height: 43 cm
Description:
Pair of elegant and interestingly sha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Cherry
French Directoire style painted and gilt window bench circa 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Directoire style painted and gilt window bench circa 1950 having carved columns and rolled ends.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1950s Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Sitting pretty is easy in this pair. Stylish chairs
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of painted French Directoire style bergere chairs C 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Upholstered. 37 1/4" h x 25" w x 25 1/2" d. Seat height 18".
Condition
Previous repairs. Splits in wood. Chips. Dry rot. legs have been "tipped" and repaired.
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Painted French Directoire style bergere chair C 1900. This chair has just been reupholstered in a burlap type fabric.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century French Bedroom Bench by George Jacob
Located in Richmond, London
A fine French late 18th century Klismos bench, of great colour and desirable generous proportions.
Stamped G.Jacob.
France, circa 1795.
Why we like it
A handsome, timeless desig...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful late 18th century of the period Directoire Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. The armchair is very elegant. The backrest decorated with a carved in wood is beau...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Antique Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Antique Directoire style painted armchairs, circa 1900. With triangular shaped crest rails flanked by acorn finials, down swept arms, elongated vase shaped arm supports, turn...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Directoire Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
Two mahogany armchairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat between open scroll arms and above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Period Pair French Directoire Fruitwood Fauteuil Arm Chairs Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Circa 1800 Period French Directoire Fruitwood Fauteuil Armchairs. Upholstery in light blue striated fabric with white sprigs. Coil spring seat foundation. Aged finish.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Cotton, Fruitwood
Directoire Mahogany Bergère Attributed to Georges Jacob
Located in Kittery Point, ME
A Directoire Mahogany Bergère Attributed to Georges Jacob, its curved back and padded armrests with finely carved baluster-shaped supports raised on turned front legs and sabre back legs.
With a spurious Jacob stamp to back rail.
The term "Directoire" refers to a historical period following the French Revolution (1789) and preceding the First Empire when Napoleon reigned, but also to a style of furniture and decoration covering a longer period from 1789 to 1804. It is characterized by the production of furniture with simplified forms and ornaments, inspired by antique decorations.
The profound social and political upheavals that marked this period had a direct impact on the production of Directoire furniture. The stripping down of furniture pieces, which had begun in the 1780s under the influence of Greek art, was accentuated during this period. The abolition of guilds by the revolutionaries also forced manufacturers in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine to simplify shapes and materials.
Elegant and graceful, the furniture is generally small-scale. They retain the Louis XVI structure. The Directoire style adopts clean shapes, straight lines, simple curves, flat surfaces and right angles. Lines accentuate geometric shapes inspired by Antiquity. A typical trait is the pronounced rolled-over back, similar to a scroll illustrated in our bergere, evocative of the klismos chair. Only the more luxurious pieces of furniture use mahogany, an exotic and expensive wood.
Despite his humble origins, Georges Jacob rose to become one of the most renowned menuisiers of his day. Unlike many artisans who joined their fathers or brothers in the middle-class family trade of furniture making, Jacob was from a peasant family and moved to Paris at sixteen to begin his career. He apprenticed in a joinery workshop and eventually became a master in 1765. He developed a reputation for producing inventive designs for chairs, beds, and screens carved with such motifs as twisted ribbons, guilloches, beading, and fluting.
Jacob's reputation grew quickly, eventually spreading outside France; the future King George IV of England, Gustavus III of Sweden, and several German princes...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Directoire-style recliner armchair in walnut wood. Late eighteenth century
Located in Torino, IT
Rare recliner chair
directory style,
in walnut wood.
PERIOD
Late eighteenth century,
Early 19th century
MATERIALS
Solid walnut wood, upholstery and padding
DIMENSIONS
The potrona ...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Settee with Painted Garlands, Upholstery and Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire settee from the 19th century with soft creamish yellow painted finish, green accents, painted garlands and linen upholster...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Antique French Armchairs Directoire Style
Located in Buxton, GB
Enhance the luxurious charm of your home with this stunning Pair of Antique French Armchairs in Directoire style. The magnificent brown Beech wood frame and French-inspired design w...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Large French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional 19th century French Directoire style armchair. This large Directoire style fauteuil is a timeless piece of French design. Featuring a beautiful white-distressed wooden...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
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 Seating
Materials
Brass
19th Century Set of Six Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent set of six mahogany French dining chairs made in the transitional directoire pre-Empire taste. The chairs feature gracefully curv...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Category
2010s Belgian Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of 8 French Directoire Style Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a very decorative set of French dining chairs.
The attractive directoire design is accentuated with the original cream and pale blue original paint. Please take a look at a...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of French Directoire Style Carved Dolphin Mahogany Club Chairs Circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of club chairs in solid mahogany with carved "dolphins" on each arm. The chairs are from the 1960-70s era and are French. The chairs measure 33.25 tall x 22.7...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 10 Ebonized Lacquered and Gilded French Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous set of 10 French Directoire style sidechairs in black lacquer and gold from the 1960s era. The chairs are in good condition as far as their frames are concerned bu...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Directoire Mahogany Fauteuils
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome and sturdy pair of French Directoire square back fauteuils are tasteful and comfortable. These mahogany occasional chairs are upholstered in a worn green velvet and accent...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Late 18th Century Carved & Original Painted Directoire Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A wonderful pair of French late eighteenth century with their original patina dating from Directoire period circa 1790. Recently reupholstered in a grey/beige linen fabric.
The fra...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th-C. French Carved Walnut Bergere Chairs In New Floral Linen -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century French Directoire style bergere chairs that have been newly upholstered in a neutral white, beige, gray and blue linen. The cushion is a thick do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Linen, Walnut
Pair of Antique French Painted Directoire Style Armchairs, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of French history known as Directoire was a difficult time, as it arrived at the end of the Revolutionary War. Furnishings in this style, such as our pair of painted armch...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair Late Empire Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very desirable pair of period Lat Empire Barrel Back Bergeres that date to c. 1810-1820. The chairs have retained their original surface which we have cleaned and applied several coats of hard paste wax. The chairs are newly upholstered in a very high-end Kravet Couture velvet in the perfect shade of blue. In addition to their desirability, these barrel back chairs are very comfortable. They are the perfect addition to many settings from living room, study to bedroom.
****Please contact MJH Design...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Set of Six French Directoire Chaires, signed J-E Coryn, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Six identical antique chairs
France
Beech
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 87 x 45 x 41 cm, seat height: 46 cm
Description:
Beautiful set of provincial French chairs...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Beech
Set of Eight Antique French Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Eight Antique French Directoire Dining Chairs is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation!...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Mohair, Sycamore
Maison Jansen Rare Stamped Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and elegant Directoire style silver leaf settee with black raw silk upholstery on tufted back, seat and padded arms, France, 1950s. This settee was likely designed as a spe...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Stunning Carved Antique Creme Painted Finish Directoire Style Bench Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved wood. Upholstered. 22 1/2" h x 36 1/4" w x 24" d.
Condition
Finish loss. Minor stains to upholstery. Scratches.
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Set of Six Vintage Directoire Style Black & Gold Dining Chairs Modern Chic
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We have admired this style of chairs for years, but it took 13 years in business to find this set. Custom made in the early 1960s by Indianapolis Chair...
Category
1960s American Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880.
Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h.
Internal reference: JG11
Reference: 8063
Dimensions
28 inches (71 cms) Wide
30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Wrought Iron and Tufted Bench Style of Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron and tufted bench style of Maison Ramsay.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Directoire Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Armchair is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation! The diamond pattern mohair is of the best quality but showing i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Mohair, Sycamore
Dark Green Paint Decorated Tufted French Directoire Footstool Window bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous dark green distressed fininsh Directoire style window bench. The bench dates to the 1960s era and measures 42 wide x 19 tall x 16 deep and will show signs of use a...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Directoire seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Century Furniture, 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $476 and tops out at $37,900 while the average work can sell for $3,917.
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