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.
French Directoire style minister's desk in solid wood with leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This minister's desk with 5-drawers 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 char...
Brass
French 19th Century Directoire Roll Top Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately French Directoire roll top secretary. This massive desk is over six feet long and four feet tall with a grey marble top. Directly beneath the marble are three drawers with ...
Marble, Brass
French Directoire style minister's desk in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This minister's desk with 5-drawers 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 char...
Brass
Fine Rare French Walnut Directoire Cartonier Writing Desk Marquetry Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exceptional French Directoire writing desk, also known as a cartonier desk, is a rare find that combines refined craftsmanship with timeless elegance. Crafted in walnut, the des...
Brass
French Directoire Style gray desk in solid oak wood with a leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk is a craft-handed reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of this period is remarkable with its straight, classical and time...
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeles...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Small Directoire Cylinder Desk In Mahogany
Located in Kent, Dover
A small French Directoire mahogany cylinder desk, with brass detailing throughout. The roll top hiding a witing slope with a tooled leather top and two drawers. Above, a marble galle...
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Brass
Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would make an impressive statement in a study. The top sec...
Brass, Iron
Directoire Style Desk Solid Cherry with Leather Pad and Covered Storage Space
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk belongs to the MELANIE collection that proposes handcraft modernized reinterpretated pieces of furniture from the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. T...
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French Directoire style handcrafted Desk in solid wood, with leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk with top storage compartments is a craft-handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of...
Brass
Vintage Early 20th Century French Mahogany Desk with Aubergine Leather Top
Located in Buchanan, NY
This vintage French mahogany desk will add a touch of sophistication to your work environment. It features a sleek aubergine leather top that complements the original art deco hardware...
Leather, Mahogany
French Directoire style handcrafted lacquered desk with solid wood & leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk is a craft-handed reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of this period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Cherry, Wood, Oak, Lacquer
$3,196Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine French mahogany bronze mounted secretary desk with bookcase top exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of late 19th to early 20th century French furniture. Constructed ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
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.
Mahogany
$4,032
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Hardwood
$14,500
H 84 in W 48 in D 24 in
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Birch
$1,640
H 29.53 in W 48.23 in D 24.41 in
Lovely Vintage Writing Table Desk in Hardwood with Silk Embroidered Glass Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely vintage writing table with silk embroidered top and glass protector A very good looking and well made p...
Silk, Glass, Hardwood
$2,300
H 48.43 in W 38.19 in D 19.69 in
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Brass
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 39 in D 23.5 in
French Louis XIII Style Oak Barley Twist Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fine 19th century French carved oak library table, or writing table desk made in the grand Louis XIII taste. Features thick barley twist legs conjoined on the bottom with barley twis...
Oak
$6,500
H 30.5 in W 48.25 in D 26.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Cognac Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
A refined early 20th century French Louis XVI style writing desk sourced in Paris and crafted in mahogany, expressing the clarity and symmetry associated with neoclassical design. Th...
Brass
Italian Louis XV Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant Italian desk dating back to the second half of the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Louis XV style. Featuring a captivating design wi...
Bronze
French Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk, Paris, Circa 1930
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Paris, this French Art Deco writing desk dates to the 1930s and showcases beautifully figured bookmatched walnut veneer throughout. The streamlined architectural form is d...
Metal
$3,800
H 31 in W 62 in D 38 in
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style Antique Desk Brass Pulls Table Mint
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style antique desk brass pulls table mint.
Brass
$5,823 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
Located in Riga, LV
Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...
Brass
$5,399 / set
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 26.78 in
Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk & Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early painted circa 1880-1900 French Louis XV style Bureau plat writing table with later stool This is a wonderful find, the burea...
Brass
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Mahogany
French Directoire Petite Fruitwood Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Directoire style fruitwood table has a green marble top inset with brass trim. The apron has two large drawers on each end with bronze wreath escutcheon plates. Both draw...
Marble, Brass
Directoire style ebonized mahogany leather top desk C 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Directoire style ebonized mahogany leather top desk C 1950.
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Handsome late 18th Century French Louis XVI style writing desk with leather insert on top. Desk features a middle drawer, with three drawers on left and three drawers on right side. ...
Wood
French 18th Century Directoire Roll Top Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome and classically designed French Directoire “D” roll top desk. The desk is topped with a polished piece of St. Anne gris marble. Directly beneath the marble are three draw...
Marble
French Petite Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite mahogany desk with an inset leather writing surface from 19th Century France. The worn leather top is in antique condition with embossed gold tooling. A single drawer is hou...
Mahogany
French Directoire Influenced Desk
By Kittinger Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
An impressive three dovetailed drawer French Directoire influenced desk of Oak with leather top; newly refinished & ready for use.
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 30.25 in W 36 in D 21 in
19th Century Directoire Influenced Book-Matched Rosewood Writing Table or Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
19th c. Rosewood writing desk or work table of impressive book matched fiery grains, original Directoire style brass pulls with inlay details throughout the entire piece. A striking ...
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Style Cylinder Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 42 3/4in W: 36 1/2in D: 20 3/4in This antique 18th century French Directoire style cylinder desk is made of the highest quality and is perfect for you and your home!...
Brass
19th Century French Directory Cherry Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directory era secretary desk, from the early 19th century, made of beautiful cherry wood, in a light tone with bronze handles and bronze keyholes as well. In their lower part they have a long drawer, and two smaller upper ones. When opening the lid, with a mechanism of lateral iron bars, we can see four other smaller drawers, two on each side, separated by a small walnut arch...
Bronze
French Directoire Style Leather Top Desk
By Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
French Directoire style desk handcrafted of solid walnut with three dovetailed drawers finished on all sides with striking black tooled leather to...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 51.25 in D 25.75 in
French Directoire Period Writing Desk of Walnut and Mahogany with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French Directoire period writing table or desk of walnut and mahogany from the late 18th century, featuring an embossed leather top with brass accents, with two brushing slide...
Metal, Brass
French Directoire Style Leather Top Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Striking French Directoire style walnut desk by Sligh Lowrey with three dovetailed drawers finished on all sides with striking black gold tooled leather top. Classic lines suitable f...
Brass