Directoire Furniture
DIRECTOIRE STYLE
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.
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Style: Directoire
A Pair of Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, 19th Century, in the style of Directoire
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant and Ornate Gilt Bronze Candlesticks from the 19th Century. In the style of Directoire.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Continental Directoire Style Flamed Mahogany and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome Continental 19th century Directoire st. flamed mahogany and marble center table. The table is raised by three elegant patinat...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Antique Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Antique Directoire style painted armchairs, circa 1900. With triangular shaped crest rails flanked by acorn finials, down swept arms, elongated vase shaped arm supports, turn...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Wood, Cherry, Oak
French Directoire Style Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier W/ Arrows, Early 20th
Located in Charleston, SC
Regal Directoire style chandelier was made in France in the Early 20th Century. The Classical Bronze Chandelier has an open work cylinder cage made out of eight two-tone Arrows with Patinated Shafts mounted with Gilt Quills and Arrowheads mounted to two Gilt Reeded Bronze Rings. There are eight two-tone S-curved Candelabra Arms mounted in between each Arrow. The S-curved two-tone Foliated Candelabra Arms are mounted to the lower gilt reeded ring...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Style Cherrywood Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and unusual pair of 19th century, French Directoire st. cherry wood chair. The chairs are raised by slightly curved legs below a stunning straight apron with an attractive...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers, Cherry
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers,
1810, France
Cherrywood
Directoire chest of drawers rests on conical feet. Straight, simple body, slightly protruding cover plate. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
18th Century Directoire Deux-Corps
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Cupboard or sideboard in two parts, dating from the Directoire period. The doors with losange motifs. The lower section has a small central drawer. Elegant cornice.
A beautiful and ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
French Directoire Two-Drawer Walnut Commode with Banded Inlay from Provence
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Provençale Directoire period two-drawer commode with banded inlay from the late 18th century. This French two-drawer commode was born in the mid-1790s, in the Provence regio...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire Armchair 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This nice chair of directoire style is characterized by straight and simple forms. The uprights are made of turned wood with floral motifs on the connecting dice (seat and armrests)....
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire style handcrafted secretary desk in cherry wood & leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Beautiful Pair of 19th Century French Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful pair of 19th century French armchairs.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful 18th-century Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, internal drawers, and hidden compartment – tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s
Some pieces of furniture carry their ...
Category
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A Pair of Italian Directoire painted and gilt open arm chairs, C 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of Italian Directoire painted and gilt open arm chairs, C 1800. This is a substantial pair of chairs and can be used every day in a sitting room, bedroom, living room!
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror.
Stunning 19th century French Directoire style / Louis XVI style gilt wood fluted design mirror.
This versatile mirror can be use...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Long Directoire Style Antiqued Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Antiqued Buffet with a hand rubbed and distressed dark beige finish to the six-door cabinet, each with a cross arrow design. This piece is crafted in pi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of French Directoire Style Nesting Tables by Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 17 1/4in W: 19in D: 14in (Measurements for the largest of the 3 tables)
This Set of French Directoire Style Nesting Tables By Maison Jansen...
Category
Late 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This amazing pair of Louis XVI / Directoire period candelabra are of the finest quality.
The figures are modeled as Roman Vestal Virgins issuing three scrolling acanthus leaf candle ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Grande Bureau Italiano in Noce Con Cassetti e Abattant 1750 Circa
Located in Milano, MI
Ribalta Antica Italiana della metà del secolo XVIII di origine trentina, la regione a nord vicina all' Austria. Lastronata in legno di noce, decorato con filettature geometriche in ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
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...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Brass Trimmed Leather Top Vanity Desk, Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary.
Walnut. Brass accents. Pull out leather top drawer. Beveled mirror on back. Marble on top...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Swag Arm Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style swag arm chairs with sliver leaf accents upholstered in fine cut velvet on linen ground. Klismos styling to the front legs with heirloom quality coil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Decca French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream & Gold Bar Cabinet Buffet (B)
By Decca
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream & Gold Painted Bar Cabinet by Decca (B). Item features a heavy two part construction with crackle distres...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Masonite, Paint
French Directoire Style oval Table in Cherry with 2 extensions, from France
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our DIRECTOIRE collection, which takes up the Directoire style, very famous at the end of the 18th century in France.
It is remarkable for its straight, classic...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Directoire Style Carved Walnut Cane Back Desk Vanity Side Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous and very unique chair that matches a Grosfeld House attributed Cartonier Desk. It can be mated with that desk or used as a vanity or side chair. The chair is in go...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Extremely Rare French "Directoire" Style Bibliothque (Bookcase)
Located in Middleburg, VA
Extremely Rare French "Directoire" Style Bibliothque (Bookcase). Made of extraordinary "Burled Yew Wood" with a rich golden color and lustrous patina. A simple cornice over two glaze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 2 Light Tole Candelabra Parlor Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a fluted column with round dish ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
1817 Portrait of Napoleon by Denzil Ibbetson
Located in Garnerville, NY
Profile portrait print of Napoleon by Denzil Ibbetson (1775-1857). Ibbetson was one of the British officers who sailed in Napoleon's convoy, in 1815, to St. Helena, the island where ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks, circa 1790
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of rare and beautiful French Directoire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the late 18th century.
In very good antique condition.
Marked in the lower part of the foot with "13...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare late 17th century museum quality giltwood fireplace screen. Features exceptional interlaced fretwork between ornately fluted columns mounted by pinecone finials. Inc...
Category
Late 17th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Set of Six Directoire Dining Chairs, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Set of six antique chairs
France
mahogany
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 88 x 47 x 44 cm, seat height: 48 cm
Description:
Set o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Italian Silver Gilt Metal Chandelier, 1920s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Italian silver gilt metal chandelier. It includes 4 lights with Austrian crystal bobeches and prisms.
Additional information:
Materials: crystal, lights, silver
Color: s...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Stone Fireplace Surround With Wild Boar And Red De Baviere Hound Head Detail
Located in Beervelde, BE
Directoire period French stone fireplace surround.
Details of a wild boar and hunting hounds head are carved on the fronton.
Exceptiona...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
French Directoire Style Period Fireplace Mantel In Stone.
Located in Beervelde, BE
Authentic fireplace surround from the Burgundy region with amazing cartouche in the center of the fronton: Details of music instruments. This mantel has also a very nice patina.
Me...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Sculptures of Children
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each child seated on an oval tasseled and draped plinth in the shape of a stool, one reading a book, the other thinking, symbolizing knowledge and philosophy.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Style Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire style pedestal. Pedestal has a white marble top with a steel and decorative brass frame.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
Pair of Directoire Style Walnut and Brass Upholstered Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 17 1/4 in W: 26 1/2 in D: 16 1/2 in
This elegant pair of mid-20th century Directoire style benches blends classical design with the refined sensibilities of the mid...
Category
20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Fantastic Shabby Distressted Multicolored Maison Jansen Style Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Distressed. Upholstered. 38 1/2" h x 23" w x 24" d. Seat height 20".
Condition
Minor stains.
Dimensions
39 x 23 x 24 in
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this elegant antique tole lamp. Crafted in France, circa 1870, Resting on a round base, the lamp showcases finely hand-painted scenes with charming ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Pair of French Directoire Late 18th Century Lidded Apothecary Jars with Labels
By Deroche
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire period ceramic lidded apothecary jars from the late 18th century, with hand-painted foliage motifs, labeled Tamarind and Ext. Cicutæ A:F, from the Deroche...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Giltwood Dark Framed French Directoire Wall MIrror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved wood frame. Gilt trim. 54" h x 36 1/2" w x 1 3/4" d.
Condition
Minor scratches. Minor finish loss.
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire Period Engraving
Located in Carmel, CA
Napoleonic War Series, mezzotint Plate 04
"Fusillades de Lyon, Commandees par Collot- D'Herbois"
le 14 December 1793 ou Frimaire An 2 âme de la République
Etching by Pi...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Directoire style 6-drawer handcrafted chiffonier in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Chiffonier's design is in a French Countryside style, also called "Campagne chic".
This storage furniture features 2 white cream, 2 basalt grey lacquered drawers and two smoked...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
19th Century Walnut Directoire Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 19th Century Walnut Directoire Table embodies the elegance and refinement of the French Directoire period. With its clean lines, subtle detailing, and timeless craftsm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Work Table or Console Table
Located in Birmingham, AL
An exceptional 18th century French Directoire period work table, handcrafted from solid walnut in Lyon, the historic capital of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, circa 1790s. Sit...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Limestone Antique Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is an original antique fireplace surround in burgundy hard stone with remains of the original wax. This was built in the Directoire period.
Measures:
126 cm EW 49,60".
...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Maison Jansen Directoire Style Dining Table, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined Maison Jansen Directoire style dining table with brass mounts, inspired by the Hepplewhite aesthetic. This elegant dining table features a versatile design with two extensi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A French Directoire Style Ormolu Parquetry Bureauplat, Early 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Directoire Style Ormolu Parquetry Bureauplat, Early 20th Century
Provenance: Private Australian Collection.
Description:
The rectangular top of parquetry finely inset wi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of 6 Maison Jansen Attributed Balloon Back Circular Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic set of classic French Directoire dining chairs and in good original condition. They are done in the manner and attr...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Upholstered. 37 1/4" h x 25" w x 25 1/2" d. Seat height 18".
Condition
Previous repairs. Splits in wood. Chips. Dry rot. legs have been "tipped" and repaired.
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Directoire Demilune Console
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Italian walnut or marble demilune console.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
French Directoire Style interpreted handcrafted TV cabinet in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This TV cabinet is a free hand crafted interpretation of the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and ...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Mahogany Directoire Style Buffet with Solid Bronze Trim Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Our ebonized mahogany Directoire style buffet with solid bronze trim was custom made in the Old Plank Workshop. The buffet is handcrafted and built from solid mahogany, then triple-s...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Directoire Style Console Table in Solid Cherry Wood, Secret Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This rectangular console table is a craft handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
The Directoire period style is remarkable with its ...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire daybed with a carved wooden frame a finial top on each end and an urn engraved in to the frame of the bed
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI Cabriolet Armchair - Yellow and pinkish red toile de Jouy - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very charming Louis XVI / Directoire style cabriolet armchair from the Directoire period, 18th century.
This very pretty armchair is made of molded beech wood, with a curved back.
Th...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Four Wedgwood Directoire Yellow Banded Creamware Cups and Saucers
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Wedgwood Directoire pattern yellow banded cream cups and saucers. Cups and saucers in the Directoire pattern and style with characteristic handles of the post Revolutionary six year period of the French Directory...
Category
20th Century English Directoire Furniture
Materials
Creamware
Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Century Furniture. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $91,647 while the average work can sell for $4,519.
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