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.
Mid-Century Italian Credenza Faux Marble Top W/ French Neo-Classical Styling
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this piece! This is an Italian cabinet with French Louis XVI styling. The custom finish includes a faux marble top and soft neutrals for the body. It has one key. The piece is...
Wood
Painted Italian sideboard with four doors, 19th century, painted enfilade
Located in Vo', Veneto
Four-door painted Italian sideboard A vintage Italian corner sideboard in walnut, featuring a blue-gray lacquer finish and a natural wood top. Code: CR116 Epoch: circa 1820 Provenan...
Nutwood, Walnut
French Directoire style 3-door hand-crafted buffet in solid cherry wood
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 3-door buffet is a craft handed reproduction of the world-renowned French Directoire style, which dates back to the end of the 18th century. This range is characterized by stra...
Brass
French Directoire style 3-door sideboard in solid cherry wood
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 3 doors sideboard is a craft handed reproduction of the world-renowned French Directoire style, which dates back to the end of the 18th century. This range is characterized by straight, sober, timeless lines, sometimes enhanced by decorative motifs such as fluting, diamonds or Louis XVI rings...
Brass
French Directoire style 2-door sideboard in solid oak, white-cream lacquered
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door sideboard is a craft handed reproduction of the world-renowned French Directoire style, which dates back to the end of the 18th century. This range is characterized by s...
Brass
20th C. Sophisticated French Credenza by M. Hirsch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated French Credenza, Signed Hirsch, Paris. This 4 door credenza/buffet is ebonized, and is made in Directoire style.
Wood
Baker Fruitwood 72" Long 9 Drawers Dresser Credenza Cabinet MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Fruitwood 72" Long 9 Drawers Dresser Credenza Cabinet MINT!
Fruitwood
$6,041 / item
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Italian Sideboard Hand-Painted Marble-effect Glass with 3 Doors Available
Located in Guazzora, IT
Imagine integrating into your interior design project a sideboard that is not just a piece of furniture, but a true work of art, capable of capturing attention and transforming a spa...
Brass
$6,764 / item
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Italian 4-Door Sideboard with Murano Glass and Brass, Mid-Century
Located in Guazzora, IT
The 4-door Italian sideboard with Murano glass, solid wood and brass is a true highlight for any sophisticated interior. Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, this sidebo...
Brass
Sideboard "Bar Buffet" in the Style of Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
A wonderful multifunctional Italian sideboard cabinet bar style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s. Measures: H 37.41 in. x W 70.87 in. x D 19.69 in. H 95 cm x W 180 cm x D 50 cm.
Wood
$2,881Sale Price|69% Off
H 38.19 in W 51.19 in D 24.41 in
Italy Early 19th Century Walnut Buffet with Two Doors and Drawer
Located in Brescia, IT
Beautiful walnut buffet with two fluted columns and the top finely inlaid. There two doors and a drawer. Inside of the drawer there is a linen coating. With certificate of authent...
Walnut
$11,020 / item
H 27.96 in W 71.26 in D 15.75 in
Retro Style Buffet Credenza, Barcode in Rainbow Colored Glass
Located in Naucalpan, Edo de Mex
The Buff-Heyyy is a retro style credenza designed by Orfeo Quagliata in collaboration with Taracea Furniture. An object of fused glass created wit...
Glass, Wood
$4,800
H 45.67 in W 81.5 in D 18.9 in
Henning Kjærnulf for EG Møbler, Solid Oak Sideboard, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Vodder, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful mid-century sideboard designed by Henry Kjærnulf for EG Kvalitetsmøbel, crafted in solid oak during the 1960s–70s. This piece exemplifies the refined Scandinavian design ...
Oak
$25,000
H 32.25 in W 84.13 in D 22 in
Paul Evans CityScape Sideboard for Directional Brass Tiles & Burl Wood Doors
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Paul Evans Cityscape sideboard with waterfall ends for Directional with brass tiles and book matched Burl wood doors. Interior laminated in black...
Brass
Swaim Art Deco Style Sideboard or Credenza, Late 20th Century
By Swaim
Located in Hamburg, PA
This striking Swaim sideboard or credenza showcases a bold Art Deco-inspired aesthetic with sophisticated Hollywood Regency influences. Handcrafted by Swaim Furniture of High Point, ...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$9,500
H 39.38 in W 63 in D 18.9 in
Hand Crafted Brutalist Giuseppe Rivadossi Sideboard in Oak Italy, the 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Hand crafted Brutalist Giuseppe Rivadossi sideboard in oak Italy, the 1970s. A fantastic oak sideboard by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi featured a high leve...
Oak
$6,800
H 38.625 in W 70.75 in D 25 in
Antique Italian Painted 2-Door Credenza from Tuscany, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved in Tuscany, Italy, in the 1800s, this painted credenza has a very rectilinear form with multiple recessed rectangular panels. The two larg...
Wood, Paint
$3,670
H 31.75 in W 66 in D 19 in
Baker Furniture Neoclassical Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Neoclassical or Empire style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture, "Palladian Collection" USA, Circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns a...
Brass
$6,900
H 32.68 in W 80.12 in D 15.95 in
20th Large Catalan Spanish Baroque Light Walnut Tuscan Credenza or Buffet
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid light walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing four drawers over four doors, the doors paneled with solid...
Iron
Sold
H 32.29 in W 50.79 in D 15.75 in
Credenza tirolese dipinta, circa 1820 Mobili europei con patina originale
Located in Vo', Veneto
Credenza Tirolese Dipinta Credenza antica tirolese dipinta, risalente al primo Ottocento, con decorazioni floreali originali e patina storica. Arredo alpino autentico. Codice: CR12...
Fir
Sold
H 41.5 in W 53.75 in D 19.75 in
French Directoire Style 19th Century Mahogany Sideboard with White Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style mahogany sideboard from the 19th century, with white marble top, three drawers over three doors and brass accents. Created in France during the 19th century...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 38 in W 68.25 in D 19 in
French Directoire Style Bleached Walnut Enfilade with Doric Style Pilasters
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style bleached walnut enfilade from the first half of the 19th century, with three frieze drawers over three doors and Doric style pilasters. Created in France du...
Brass
Sold
H 38 in W 68 in D 16.75 in
French Directoire 19th Century Walnut Enfilade with Cross Banded Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut enfilade from the 19th century, with three drawers over three doors, cross-banded diamond motifs and tapered feet. Created in France during the 19th ...
Brass
Sold
H 33 in W 60 in D 15 in
Superb Brass Mounted Rosewood Maison Jansen Attributed Mirrored Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an opulent and stunning sideboard that is very, very shallow at only 15 inches deep and perfect for smaller areas that need a shallow piece. But l...
Brass
19th Century French Directoire Style Mahogany Buffet Cabinet Credenza
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Unusual 19th century French marble-top Directoire style buffet with three drawers above two doors and standing on tapering legs with castors. Original Carrara marble top. C. 1890.
Mahogany
Green Floral Painted Cupboard, Central Europe, Circa 1810
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean painted sideboard Measures: H.70 - L.142 - P.38 Sideboard painted with two doors, entirely painted in sage green. Floral motifs are depicted on the doors, shoulders, n...
Fir
Mid Century Directorie Style Credenza Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Mid century classic directorie styled credenza sideboard. A Classic styled credenza having modern directorie styling incorporated into the clean lines. Made in the late 1950's of Che...
Cherry
Italian four doors Credenza - Round Sides - 1810
Located in Vo', Veneto
Beautiful sideboard with four doors and four drawers, with round sides. The surface is entirely veneered in elm and elm burl wood, with a herringbone pattern. Lion's feet. The si...
Elm
18th Century Directoire Venetian Credenza
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 18th century Directoire period hand-painted Italian credenza cabinet. Venetian, circa 1780-1790. This is a beautiful piece with its original rich hand-painted details and pat...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Cabinet Credenza Console by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Chicago, IL
An unusual and desirable sized cabinet credenza console by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft in the French Directoire Hollywood regency Deco style. In the manner of Wormley for Dunbar ...
Wood
Painted and Faux Marble Credenza by Karges, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A French Country blue directoire style cabinet with four doors, six shelves, three drawers, and two decorative keys. The top of the credenza is a painted faux marble wood surface. Th...
Wood, Paint