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
Pair of Paint Decorated French Louis XVI Style Directoire Armchairs Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of French-made Directoire style or Louis XVI style armchairs with some form of moisture-proofed ipholstery that is not vinyl but some other form of waterproo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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
Beautiful Maison Jansen Style French Directoire Creme Painted X Bench Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your deliv...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
French Wrought Iron Bench
Located in New York, NY
Brown-burgundy leatherette top with a decorative wrought iron and brass frame.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Handsome Directoire Irish Pine Window Bench or Bench for Foot of Bed
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome Directoire Irish pine window bench or bench for foot of bed.
Category
19th Century Northern Irish Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Pine
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 Seating
Materials
Cherry
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Sycamore
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 Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Giltwood
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 Seating
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
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
Pair Directoire Carved Draper Era x Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1950s European Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Eight walnut Direttorio chairs, Tuscany, Lucca circa 1795
Located in Prato, IT
Eight walnut Direttorio Chairs with banded backs and floral pattern carving.
Paws with carved frames typical of Lucca.
Entirely hand-sewn straw seat.
Tuscany, late 18th century
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Walnut & Black Geometric Upholstered Sabre Leg Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (early 19th Century) walnut armchair upholstered in a raised textured brown and black geometric fabric, with curved bar toprail and oval seat on carved sabre legs.
...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric
Pair of French Directoire Period Fauteuils
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of French painted fauteuils, period Directoire, newly-upholstered in museum reproduction cotton toile fabric. Paint appears original.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Pair of Directoire Style Slipper Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Pair of Directoire style slipper chairs with needle point upholstery, gilt highlights, and nailhead trim.
Category
20th Century American Directoire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Wood
Set of Eight 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Eight 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preserva...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Mohair, Sycamore
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Dining Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Directoire style dining armchair, a hand carved distressed beech and oak dining chair with turned top rail, down scrolled uprights and arms encl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
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 Seating
Materials
Beech
French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion
Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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
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 Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Pair of Directoire Cream-Painted Slipper Chairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each with a rectangular carved panelled top rail above a pierced vertical splat and an upholstered seat, raised on front tapering circular legs and saber back legs.
The exquisite qu...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of Jansen Directoire' Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
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 Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Directoire Chairs, Western, France, 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Charming pair of Directoire chairs, Western France, Strassburg region 1810-1820, cherrywood. The chairs are in very good condition with a new...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Cherry
An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Charles Percier
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
All six frames featuring swan shaped brass inlaid motifs strikingly silhouetted against ebonized panels within brass moldings, over hand carved lyre-shaped splats replete with brass 'strings'. The frames also featuring brass strung stiles, front seat rails & sabre-leg front supports. All are in exceptionally sound condition due to the classical construction method of using oak as the secondary wood for added strength & durability.
The swan motif was highly favored by cabinetmakers & mount makers during the Directoire Period and was associated with Napoleons consort Josephine, by interpreting her protective nature towards her children like that of a swan towards it's cygnets).
For comparative examples see works by Charles Percier...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Directoire Mahogany Armchairs by Jacob Freres
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each upholstered backrest with backscrolled top rail above an upholstered seat flanked by arm rests, raised on ring-turned legs; each stamped JACOB FRERES / RUE MESLEE on back rail, three with old inked inscription M Julien...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique French Armchairs Directoire Style
Located in Buxton, GB
Add an elegant touch to your living space with this pair of Antique Directoire style Bergere Armchairs. These chairs boast a stunning Square shape and have Cotton upholstery fabric w...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Pair of French Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of French Directoire style painted armchairs, newly upholstered in stone coloured textured silk with gold scroll braid.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Signed, Three Maison Jansen Tufted Benches
Located in New York, NY
Signed, three Maison Jansen Tufted benches. The benches have tufted velvet cushions, black ebonized tapered legs with gold trim.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood, Velvet
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
Antique 18th C. French Directoire Cherry Lacca Contrafatta Side Chair Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Directoire Chair. Made from cherry with a contoured back over a tole peinte or lacca contrafatta panels showcasing an old landscape / ...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Rush, Cherry
20th Century Round Top Armchair in Silk Upholstery
Located in Sofia, BG
ARMCHAIR in natural wood, resting on fluted baluster legs.
Work of the 30s
France
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Soft Blue and White Painted French Directoire Style Medium Size Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1950s European Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble side tables. These tables are extremely fine quality and a gorgeous finish. Creates a very polished look!.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Seating
Directoire Style Chair, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style chair circa 1930
patina and coating to redo.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Beech
Directoire-Style Sofa with Carved and Painted Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome Directoire-style sofa with carved and white painted frame, comfortable single seat cushion, upholstered back and sides, beautiful blue and white floral design fabric, the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional complete set of six Italian 19th century Directoire st. olive wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square legs below the straight apron. ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Olive
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 Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Directoire Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
These delicately proportioned 18th-century fauteuil armchairs exemplify the French Directoire style, each with a barreled back, and rosette finials a...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Seating
Directoire canapé sofa, 18th century, Tassinari & Chatel silk
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful lacquered canapé, fine late 18th century Parisian production circa 1795 (Directoire period).
Finely carved ribs and roses patterns, beautiful proportions. A high range prod...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
18th Century French Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful pair of French original Directoire - Louis XVI chairs, France, 18th century. Original painted French Greenish gray with blue accents. All pegged construction, these came ou...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Fine Set of 12 Brass Inlaid Rosewood French Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely rare set of 12 carved and brass inlaid Directoire style French rosewood dining chairs. They feature superb quality rosewood frames with diamond carved bac...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Style Cherrywood Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and unusual pair of 19th century, French Directoire st. cherry wood chair. The chairs are raised by slightly curved legs below a stunning straight apron with an attractive...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Cherry
Directoire Armchair 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This nice chair of directoire style is characterized by straight and simple forms. The uprights are made of turned wood with floral motifs on the connecting dice (seat and armrests)....
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Pair of 19th Century French Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful pair of 19th century French armchairs.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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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