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
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
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
$4,853 / 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
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
$26,253
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
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
Gustavian Style Glass Door Display Cupboard
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Beautiful and unique Gustavian style glass top cupboard. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
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
19th Century French Scrubbed Pine Cupboard
Located in London, GB
A beautifully patinated 19th century scrubbed pine cupboard from the alpine Haute-Savoie region. Pegged and nailed in construction, with decorative forged iron hinges and original lo...
Iron
$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
19th Century Walnut Jelly Cupboard
Located in Fall River, MA
Solid walnut with time-softened edges and a hand-worn patina, its design reflects the thoughtful simplicity of Shaker and colonial forms. Two framed panel doors open to generous stor...
Walnut
$3,100
H 59.5 in W 42 in D 18.75 in
Antique French Gothic Sacristy Vestry Altar Wine Cabinet Bar Catholic Carved Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Exceptionally carved antique French oak Gothic sacristy vestry altar wine cabinet~~c. 1870s-1880s In 18th and 19th century Europe, sacristy or vestment cabinets...
Oak
Oak Cabinet by René Gabriel, France, Late 1940s
By Rene Gabriel
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Rare cabinet by french designer René Gabriel. Solid oakwood and oak veneer. The cabinet features 6 drawers on the lower part and 2 doors on the top part with functional keys and lo...
Oak
Rustic Alpine Cupboard, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charming alpine cupboard, handcrafted from solid pine, that showcases the rustic elegance of Savoie’s vernacular furniture. The design features clean, minimalist lines enriched with ...
Wood
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
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
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 Highwood, 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