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.
$11,500 / set
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.
Mahogany
$2,720Sale Price|39% Off
18th Century Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Angel Wall Shelves
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of superb and monumental 1700's Italian gilt wood angel wall shelves. These hand carved wood wall bracket shelves have incredible details and wonderful gold leaf gilding. Such...
Gold Leaf
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire Style Patinated Étagères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Directoire style patinated etageres. Each display shelf is raised by topie shaped feet and has five tiers with dentil borders. The sides display a ...
Wood
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...
Iron
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.
Bronze
Brass Faux Bamboo Adjustable 4 Shelf Plant Stand
Located in Pasadena, TX
This plant stand has 4 shelves of which 3 are adjustable. Each shelf has a 10" round glass shelf. It's made in the Hollywood Regency style. It's made of brass in the faux bamboo style.
Brass
Pair of Large Gilt Scroll Wood Shelves
Located in London, GB
This lovely pair of shelf units are gilt wood and shaped in a decorative curled scroll design. Each shelf measures 12 3/8 in – 31.5 cm wide, 13 3/8 in – ...
Giltwood
Pair Regency Style Gilt Eagle Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 20th Century Italian Regency Style hand-carved giltwood eagle wall shelves.
Giltwood
$4,800
H 72 in W 82 in D 16.5 in L 72 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arra...
Teak
Bamboo Rattan Decorative Shelf Etagere
By Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bamboo Rattan decorative shelf Etagere.
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
$682
H 9.45 in W 24.02 in D 8.86 in
French Riviera Style Shelf in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful Mid-Century French Riviera–style wall shelf entirely made of bamboo, rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This stunning organic piece was likely designed in Italy during the 197...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$2,300
H 76 in W 42 in D 16 in
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Glass A-Symmetrical Étagère
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic 1970s design in the style of Milo Baughman. This étagère features a chrome-plated steel construction with inlayed glass shelving. In beautiful well cared for condition.
Steel, Chrome
Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century 2 Door Bar Cabinet with Hutch
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century 2 Door Bar Cabinet with Hutch The cabinet measures: 30 wide x 18 deep x 31.5 inches high The hutch measures:...
Wood
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Etagere
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century Mahogany campaign etagere. Comprising three rectangular shelves supported by turned columns raised on castors. The shelves are collaps...
Mahogany
Bauhaus Kitchen Wall Cabinet with Glass Bar 1930s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
This small wall cabinet is a kitchen cabinet from the early 1930s. The cream white softwood wall cabinet features a spacious interior with two bakel...
Metal
19th Century English Etagere
Located in Nashville, TN
This beautiful etagere, or trolley, is perfect for your next dinner party! Four levels of shelves provide room for several courses, while the small wheels, which move effortlessly, a...
Wood
$2,690
H 85 in W 26.25 in D 26.25 in
English Style Barley Twist Etagere Display Shelves by John Richard
By John Richard
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of An English Style Barley Twist Etagere...
Mahogany
Tall Chrome and Brass Maison Jansen Style Louis XVI Dircetoire Etagere
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very tall, very clean chrome and brass etagere attributed to Maison Jansen. The piece has a mirrored bottom shelf and numerous glass shelves. Some shelves will have minor c...
Brass, Chrome
19th Century French Mahogany and Glass Console Sideboard Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A 19th century French mahogany console table or sideboard with shaped black marble top above a pair of drawers with working lock, two glass shelves with brass fittings, supported by ...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 62 in W 22 in L 62 in
Theodore Alexander Solid Mahogany Directoire Style Etagere Bookshelf Display
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a Classic solid mahogany etagere display shelf made by Theodore Alexander. It features two small drawers and beautiful antique quality carving and design. The etagere measure...
Mahogany
Sold
H 72 in W 31 in D 15 in
Chrome and Brass French Directoire Maison Jansen Style Etagere Shelf Display
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous and iconic design. The chrome and brass etagere is in good condition with normal age related wear and oxidation to brass which can be polished as well as the chrom...
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Chrome and Brass Étagères
Located in Dallas, TX
Glamorous pair of French Directoire style chrome and brass Midcentury étagères/shelves. Made in the 1970s.
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 72 in W 31.25 in D 15.5 in
French Direcoire Style Chrome and Brass Midcentury Étagère Shelf, circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful chrome and brass étagère in the Directoire style. The étagère is in good condition with minor signs of age and wear. The étagère measures: 72 tall x 31 wide x 16 ...
Brass, Chrome
Solid Heavy Steel French Jansen Style Direcoire Style Midcentury Étagère
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an original solid and heavy steel étagère in the style of Maison Jansen, circa 1950. It features six glass shelves and is in its original state. There is a fair amount of fin...
Steel
Low Bookcase in Walnut, Directoire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Low bookcase with two shelves in walnut. Molded base and tray. Work realized during the Directoire period (1795-1799).
Walnut
1950s French Étagère Attributed to Maison Baguès
Located in New York, NY
1950s French brass and brushed nickel étagère attributed to Maison Baguès. The étagère has seven leatherette shelves and a brushed nickel a...
Brass
French Directoire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Étagère Shelves
Located in Astoria, NY
French Directoire style gilt metal mounted étagère made in the early 20th century. The piece is surmounted by a gilt gallery, the four tier shelves supported by column and x-form pos...
Metal
Baker Directoire Brass and Leather Rolling Shelves
Located in Camden, ME
A Baker Directoire style solid brass three-tier rolling cart / shelving / bookcase / étagère with gilt embossed leather-topped shelf from the 1950s-19...
Brass
French 19th Century Painted Bookcase
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century painted bookcase called "Bibus".