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.
19th c. Venetian Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic Italian Venetian Painted secretary/cabinet. This piece has a wonderful color palette but I believe that was done in the early 20th...
Wood
Directoire Painted Bookcase, circa 1800
Located in Doylestown, PA
A wonderful and rare French Directoire Period bookcase cabinet in 2-parts, circa 1800, hand-scraped to its original grey painted finish, and retaining its original wavy glass panes. ...
Wood
Walnut Panetière Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare walnut panetière from the beginning of the 19th century This piece of furniture were used in the past to store the bread in the south of France. Provence region Very...
Walnut
$4,976 / item
1-door Directoire style cupboard in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This wooden closet is offered in solid French cherrywood and is also available in oak. The hanging bar is fixed under a wooden shelf. This shelf is height-adjustable on a wooden rack. The oval entrance and key are in brass and fitted with a lock. The finish proposed here is a classic cherrywood "D" stain, with a natural varnish on the diamond and fluted fronts. The finish of every GONTIER cabinet is customizable. You can choose the wood stains and colors you prefer (see last pictures) MÉLANIE Collection This cupboard part of the MÉLANIE collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. The straight, classic and timeless lines are embellished with rhombuses...
Wood, Cherry
2-door 3-drawer Cabinet in solid oak, a French Directoire style interpretation
Located in Landivy, FR
This 2 doors cabinet is a handmade and modernized interpretation of a French Directoire style cabinet at the end of the 18th century. The des...
Cherry, Oak
Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS
Located in Madrid, ES
A Napoleon III Etagere 'japonism' in ormolu and grave glass Modeled as rods of bamboo mounted with bamboo leaves on the legs, the top suspended with four handles and with three circular tiers each engraved with floral and ivy designs and surrounded by a three-quarter pierced gallery, the upper tier signed 'ALPH. GIROUX PARIS...
Bronze
$4,311
H 83.86 in W 56.3 in D 23.63 in
A Charming Mid 19th Century French Cherrywood Glazed Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A charming Mid-19th Century French cherry wood cupboard. Displaying a simplistic moulded cornice above a pair of inset glass doors with a further pair of panelled doors below featuri...
Cherry
Antique French Painted Paneled Cupboard Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Slightly distressed French Provincial paneled doors for a cabinet this striking pair of doors wear their age with grace, and would bring c...
Wood
19th Century English Olivewood and Brass Inlaid Cabinet
By Town & Emanuel
Located in London, GB
A William IV cabinet attributed to Town and Emmanuel Constructed in a strongly grained olivewood and dressed with gold brass inlays and an etched and engraved brass panel; rising from a plinth base, the lockable single door having an inset panel in the manner of Jean Berain, enclosing a shelved interior, and flanked by narrow vertical conforming panels; the apron being dressed with three bronze rosettes, and the Jura Jaune marble is dressed with a three quarter arcaded brass gallery, circa 1830 The cabinet is illustrated and discussed in Christopher Payne’s “British Furniture 1820 to 1920” published in 2023. Payne singles out the rarity of the olivewood timber used as well as the necessity for hand cutting the large marquetry panel. Literature: Payne, Christopher. British Furniture 1820 to 1920 : The Luxury Market. ACC Art Books, 2023, pp. 38-39 (illus. fig. 1.33). Town and Emanuel Recorded in the 'Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840', published by the Furniture History Society, as being situated at 103 New Bond Street between 1830 and 1840, and apart from being manufacturers of furniture, also dealt in 'curiosities and antiques'. The late renowned connoisseur Christopher Gilbert records in his 'Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture' London 1997, also published by the Furniture History Society, a writing table in the Transitional manner with similar plaques. Their label reads 'Town and Emanuel, manufacturers of Buhl Marquetrie, Resner (sic) & Carved Furniture, tripods, screens & c. of the finest and most superb designs of the Louis 14th. Splendid cabinets and tables inlaid with fine Sevres and Dresden china...
Marble, Brass
A 19th Century Swedish Painted Armoire - Cupboard
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An extraordinary early 19th century Swedish cupboard. Demonstrating a particularly striking and unusually exaggerated arched pediment sha...
Pine
$27,064
H 86.42 in W 68.71 in D 29.93 in
17th Century Dutch Renaissance Oak and Ebony Inlay Four-Door Cabinet Dated 1660
Located in Casteren, NL
This extraordinary cabinet is made of the finest watered oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch golden age” It is a four-door cab...
Steel
$2,575
H 37.75 in W 27.75 in D 11.75 in
Antique French Breton Jam Cabinet Cupboard Storage Drawer Carved Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Breton Oak Jam Cabinet with Key~~c. 1900s Slim Profile beautifully carved cabinet with beveled edge top and one interior adjustable/remova...
Oak
French Sewing Table, Manner of Alphonse Giroux Paris, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
French Sewing Table, manner of Alphonse Giroux, Paris, 19th century. This pretty small sewing table has a beautiful birds eye maple veneer and its...
Birdseye Maple
Country French Provincial Style Cherry Cupboard, Single Door
Located in Toronto, CA
A French Country style cherry jam cupboard. This piece has a lot of storage without a big footprint in the room, but adds a bit of tradition. There is a single drawer above the door ...
Cherry
Early 19th century rustic painted Scandinavian cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century rustic painted Scandinavian cupboard circa 1830. We are pleased to offer this rural piece of Swedish furniture in near original condition. Traditional Swedish bl...
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Mahogany Small Cupboard
Located in Brecht, BE
Unusual and quirky small sunkissed mahogany cupboard, made by cabinetmakers Spillman and Co from London, Britain at its best. Ideal as bedside table or cabinet. Great color !
Mahogany
$6,900
H 87.6 in W 37.6 in D 15.16 in
19th Century Large & Narrow Cupboard or Bookcase with Glass Vitrine, Pine
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century Spanish cupboard or bookcase with glass vitrine, constructed from a pine called "mobila" and original glasses of this period. Features a coffered case fronted by four la...
Pine
Early 19th century Swedish Dalarna hand painted cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted wall cupboard circa 1822. Fine quality Dalarna region wall cupboard. Hand painted in orange, reds and greens. Shaped cornice below which the ini...
Pine, Paint
1844 Blue Floral Painted Small Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Tyrolean cabinet dated 1844 CODE: CR115 Period: 1844 Origin: Tyrol Essence: Fir Measures: Height: 74cm Width: 57 cm (64 cm at the frames) Depth: 36 cm (40 cm at the frames)...
Fir
20th Century French Brass and Leather Cartonnier
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A mid 20th century French brass and leather cartonnier with four removable filing boxes. A little bit of colour change to the brown leather to top, consistent with age, but the cartons all have their original brass handled and working catches. France 1950's. Perfect condition. Great quality. A good piece of French office furniture...
Brass
Metal Cabinet with Antique French Directoire Period Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
These Directoire period metal doors were once window shutters on an 18th century French chateau that now have been repurposed and made into doors for this cabinet which can lend itse...
Metal
Sold
H 100 in W 89 in D 24 in
18th Century French Directoire Period Bleached Walnut Placard or Wardrobe
Located in Birmingham, AL
Monumental 18th century French Directoire period placard or wardrobe handcrafted of solid walnut by skilled artisans in the South of France near Arles, circa 1780s. custom made for a...
Walnut
Directoire Painted Bookcase, circa 1800
Located in Doylestown, PA
A wonderful and rare French Directoire Period bookcase cabinet in 2-parts, circa 1800, hand-scraped to its original grey painted finish, and retaining its original wavy glass panes. ...
Wood
1790s French Directoire Era Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1790s French large painted Directoire era bookcase with lower cabinet.
Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 60 in D 15 in
French Hand Carved Wood Directoire Coffre or Chest/ Armoire/ Bench, circa 1795
Located in New York, NY
A sober French late 18th century Directoire period "Coffre" with a hand carved front panel in the form of repeating squares with its original iron forged hardware. The piece conveys ...
Fruitwood
18th Century French Directoire Walnut Vaisselier or Cupboard
Located in Houston, TX
Rare antique French Directoire period walnut cupboard, sideboard, vaisselier, credenza, display cabinet or buffet or plate rack with bronze hardware from the 18th century. This versa...
Walnut
French Directoire Period, Two-Door Walnut Cupboard, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall cupboard constructed of walnut with some patching and steel hardware, sitting on bracket feet, the interior having three shelves, condition consistent with age.
1880s Petite Painted Antique, French Directoire Cupboard
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
With tons of unparalleled character and charm, this cabinet offers loads of style and remarkable storage opportunities. Use this fine cabinet most anywhere, well enough suited for any formal or informal room of your home. It's presence is unmistakable and the style distinguished making itself a perfect fit most anywhere. Use this fine painted cupboard on one side of the fireplace in the parlor hiding a small TV and media equipment, in the dining room safekeeping extra dishes and linens or that special wine collection, or for storing extra linens, toiletries, and such in a guest bedroom suite. Whichever way you deem fit, this petite cupboard...
Sold
H 74 in W 48.5 in D 17 in
Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Burled Elm and Cherry Armoire
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early 19th century cherry and burled elm armoire is from the Bresse region of France. The burled elm and cherry wood of this piece along with its age give a wonderfully warm fee...
Bronze
19th c. Walnut Armoire
Located in New Orleans, LA
Petit 19thc Walnut Armoire