Directoire Furniture
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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Item Ships From: New York
Style: Directoire
Pair of Directoire Style Étagères
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Directoire style mahogany étagères or bookcases. Has brass pineapple finials at the top.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set Three (3) French Directoire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Set of three large very fine quality and rare French Directoire style Pedestals or plant stands with verdigris and gilt patina, with circular marble tops. Finely molded and cast ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Ebonized Leather-top French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ebonized French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk with Tooled Red Leather Top and Tapered Legs on Brass Sabots.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage round marble top gueridon table with a brass rail, brass legs and mahogany shelves. At the heart of this gueridon table is a round white carrara marble top, exuding a luxur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Directoire Style Dining Table in Bookmatched and Inlaid Macassar w/Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco dining table was realized in France circa 1940. Sitting on four conical ebonized legs with brass capped sabots and brass circular embellishments at the apex of...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze French Directoire Striking Clock, c1790
Located in valatie, NY
This graceful gilt bronze striking clock is from France’s Directoire period. The clocks white enameled face has black Roman numerals and is framed with ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Directoire Walnut Settee in Seaglass
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant early 19th-century French Directoire style settee, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid walnut, it showcases a naturally aged, characterful p...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Directoire-Style Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Directoire- style commode with marble top on tapered legs.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Table Game French Directoire 19th Century Mahogany Leather Black France
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary game table from the Directoire period made in France. Frame made of mahogany in a beautiful cognac brown shade. Apron divided into rectangular parts of brass and bra...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Tables, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Directoire console tables; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Directoire Dark Green and Gilt Painted Vine Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (l8th /19th Century) dark green painted trumeau / wall mirror with gilt vinework decorated frame.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Table, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Italian Directoire console table; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports the origi...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed. Original fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining chairs. The chairs have iron frames, are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and brass ball feet. The chairs also have sloping arms and fold...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
French Directoire Mahogany and Glass 3 Panel Screen
Located in Queens, NY
English Sheraton style (19/20th Century) 3-panel mahogany screen with applied carved molding and small roSettes below 9 pane glass windows in each panel.
Each panel 17.75" W. Wear t...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, 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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Maison Jansen Style Chrome and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen French style coffee table. Table has X-stretcher to the sides, with brass and chrome frame. Top and bottom tiers have two pairs...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Directoire Style Thick Marble-Top Coffee Table With Matching Faux Marble Base
Located in Manhasset, NY
A beautiful marble-top coffee table with matching faux marble base. The coffee table is in a Directoire style, attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Mid Century Modern Bookcase, Wardrobe Cabinet or Armoire by Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Lovely French Directoire style mahogany, rosewood and satinwood wardrobe cabinet, the top with bronze gallery over a conforming inlaid cabinet fitted with églomisé glass doors flanke...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Late 18th Century Gustavian Period Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
An elegant and sober late 18th century/very early 19th century Swedish dresser or chest of drawers of good proportion and handsome appearance. Late Gustavian pieces are reminiscent o...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Furniture
1950s Maison Jansen Bronze and Glass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen bronze and glass coffee table. Solid bronze with original glass.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Mahogany Trestle Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Directoire mahogany trestle table, early 19th century. An octagonal top with lower shelf table.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents
Located in Manhasset, NY
A Monumental French Ebonized and parcel-gilt mirror in the style of Directoire, circa 1950s, the rectangular beveled looking glass with a panelled frame decorated by brass accents.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire-style Hexagonal Black and Gilt Leather Pedestal Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style hexagonal top center table with ebonized finish, gilt trim and details, gilt embossed leather top, and bronze decorative drawer pulls...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather
French Directoire Boot Scrape
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire boot scrape. Iron boot scrape on winged paw feet, France late 18th century.
Dimension: 11" H x 10" D x 13" W.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Brass and Marble-Top Dining Table in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Brass and marble-top dining table in the style of Maison Jansen. Two brass pedestals supported by a stretcher with ram's head feet.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair are painted on wood panel and done circa 1760 by a country artist working from life. Each composition is very similar but subtly different and incorporating different leaves...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Directoire-style (20th century) brass wall sconces with three arms, lyre design, and eagle head details (priced as pair).
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Maison Jansen French Directoire Style Brass and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style (20th Century) rectangular coffee table with gilt steel six-legged base with brass ram head ornaments and feet and a glass top. (attributed to MAISON JANSEN)
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
rare Olivewood side table with decorative hardware.
Located in Bronx, NY
This wonderful french side table is wonderfully craffed with details and moulures to add class and elegance. The bale is made of rare olive wood with an impressive patern on the top....
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 1890-1900 Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons. Each with very fine ormolu mounts as well as hand-carved marble tops. Exceptional details on the ormolu i...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces
By David Duncan
Located in New York, NY
A directoire-inspired hand-carved, diamond shaped backplate in mahogany available with wood, painted or guilt finishes. The eight point star-shaped backplate designed for single or d...
Category
2010s Directoire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Velvet
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 Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Bronze and Onyx Side Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and onyx side table. The table has an ornate frame with an onyx top.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Faux Bamboo Bronze Shelf in the Style of Maison Baguès
Located in New York, NY
Faux bamboo bronze shelf in the style of Maison Baguès. Has three glass shelves and a nice greenish patina to the bronze.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chrome and Brass Console after Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Jansen chrome and glass console table with brass feet.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Brass
Antique French Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
1920s French bronze and marble pedestal. Pedestal has hoof feet, a nice burgundy marble top with a decorative and ornate bronze frame.
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Gilded Iron Corner Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French gilded iron corner tables. Two-tiered glass tops.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and marble coffee table. The table has a marble top with floral style bronze legs. Stamped made in France under one of the legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Wrought Iron French Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Gold gilt wrought iron glass top coffee table. Some scratches to the glass. Attributed to Maison Ramsay.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Round Faux Iron Accent Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair of vintage French gueridon-style iron pedestal base tables, shown here, are distinguished by their faux tortoise ringed surface finish. Sized for use as end tables or occas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Sober, 18th Century French Provincial Country Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
An expandable French country dining table from the Directoire period (1795-1803) that combines warmth with sobriety with it's chic tapered legs and stretchers. Two pullout leaves and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Anatolian Eclectic Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Runner with an unusual motif and colors.
1'9'' x 10'4''
Category
20th Century Turkish Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Leather Top Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (Late 18th Century) mahogany and bronze trim desk with a black leather top having 2 extending side surfaces surrounded by a shallow reticulated brass gallery, havin...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Italian Brass Glass Nesting End Tables Directoire Maison Jansen Style, Set
Located in New York, NY
A versatile and substantial set/pair of Italian brass and glass nesting tables in the Directoire style, in the style of design h...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Timeless best describes this magnificent early 20th century antique Persian Tabriz rug.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wool
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 Furniture
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Steel and Brass Coffee Table in the Manner of Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Polished steel and brass coffee table manner of Jansen. Stretcher has curved legs with brass ball feet.
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere
Located in New York, NY
Elegant faux suede Directoire style bergere with fluted and tapered legs and curved columnar arm details. Natural colored wood showing great a...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Suede
Maison Jansen Polished Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen polished steel and brass coffee table.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Set of Four Wedgwood Directoire Yellow Banded Creamware Cups and Saucers
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Wedgwood Directoire pattern yellow banded cream cups and saucers. Cups and saucers in the Directoire pattern and style with characteristic handles of the post Revolutionary six year period of the French Directory...
Category
20th Century English Directoire Furniture
Materials
Creamware
Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Century Furniture. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $91,647 while the average work can sell for $4,519.
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