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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
Fine French Louis XVI Style Vintage Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A fine Classic French Louis XVI style vintage fireplace in a honey color Burgundy hard stone/marble. The chimney piece marries well with...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Limestone

French Directoire handcrafted Oak Coffee Table with a drawer, chestnut finish
Located in Landivy, FR
This coffee table is a handmade and modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical an...
Category

2010s French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

19th Century French Pair of Directory-style Armchairs Upholstered in Vichy
Located in Lisboa, PT
This exquisite pair of 19th-century French armchairs embodies the elegance and refined simplicity of the Directory style, which flourished during a pivotal era in French history. Eac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century French Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful pair of French original Directoire - Louis XVI chairs, France, 18th century. Original painted French Greenish gray with blue accents. All pegged construction, these came ou...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

French Louis XVI Directoire Inlaid Satinwood Marquetry and Bronze End Table
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 delive...
Category

1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French mid-20th century Directoire style armchairs.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Cherry

19th century French Louis XVI Style Marble Top Commode by Maison Carlihian
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a delicately design, beautifully crafted commode by Maison Carlihan of Paris. The piece is surmounted by a fantastic slab of Brechia D' Alep marble on top and a deep, brass i...
Category

1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Corinthian Column Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th Century French Corinthian column gilt bronze candlesticks. With tripod-shaped feet on paws and acanthus sheathed and fluted pillars. Ci...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
In a dark walnut finish with a molded edge rectangular top, nine paneled drawers with lozenge detailing motifs, antiqued pewter handles, with a fluted base and raised on square taper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Original Antique French Stylish Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original hard stone fireplace surround with Carrara marble inlay from the early 19th century It was installed in the Burgundy region in France. The extra deep legs with side pie...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

Small and Fine French Classic Original Antique Fireplace Surround in Stone
Located in Beervelde, BE
This beautiful honey colored antique fireplace mantel (fireplace) dates from the Directoire period. It comes from the Burgundy region. Its material is Burgundy hard stone, marble. M...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

French Directoire Style Iron and Crystal Chandelier with Blue Crystal Feathers
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire style iron and crystal chandelier with blue feather shaped crystals. This chandelier is very decorative and a nice scale.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Iron

Bronze Mounted Neoclassical Tripod Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine round end table with pierced balustraded brass gallery around gilt-tooled leather top. Striking turned shaft below featuring carved panels with gilt brass beaded trim, the scrol...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Fine Set of 12 Brass Inlaid Rosewood French Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely rare set of 12 carved and brass inlaid Directoire style French rosewood dining chairs. They feature superb quality rosewood frames with diamond carved bac...
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Four Directoire Armchairs, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four French armchairs made of solid mahogany with elegantly curved legs and a slightly rounded upholstered seat. The armrests slope down in a gentle curve and end on the extended leg...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

Set of Four Wedgwood Directoire Yellow Banded Creamware Cups and Saucers
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

Set of Eight French 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and very unique complete set of eight French 19th century Directoire st. patinated wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by lovely turned circular legs at the front wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Mid-Century Ebonized and Mirrored Desk, by Maison Jansen
Located in Queens, NY
French mid-century (1940s) ebonized and mirrored desk with five drawers and an off-white leather writing surface (Maison Jansen). Maison Jansen was a Paris-based interior decorati...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Leather, Wood

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

Set of French Directoire Style Nesting Tables, 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

18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob Beautiful chairs purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Tables, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Directoire console tables; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of Painted French Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These French Directoire style open arm chairs from around 1910 are a charming and elegant pair. With gently curved arms and delicate carved details, these chairs exude a timeless app...
Category

Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Brass and Steel Glass Top Maison Jansen Style Directoire End Table, circa 1960
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. This is a beautiful Maison Jansen style circular end table. The table wears...
Category

1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

18th Century Original French Country Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
Very unusual French Provençal rustic fireplace surround in bicolor hard stone. The out of real live, chicken detail on the front refers to t...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

Directoire Period Oxblood Salon Suite w/ Saber Legs and Scrolled Backs, Late 18C
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable salon suite from the Directoire period (circa late 18th century) includes a finely crafted small sofa paired with two matching chairs, embodying the restrained elegan...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Four French Antique Neoclassical Finely Carved Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine 19th century set of 4 French neoclassical dining chairs from the Directoire period with stunning intricately carved walnut fram...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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

Timeless Chique Reclaimed French Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A fine French directoire period fireplace surround in a honey color Burgundy hard stone/marble with Brocatelle D'Espagne marble inlay. It was built in the early 19th century. Measure...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

Fine Quality Tambor Door Breche D' Alep Marble Walnut Directoire Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous and extremely sophisticated sideboard buffet. The case is made of gorgeous walnut in its original finish and unrestored with a superb, highly prized Breche d' Alep...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Fine Bicolor Marble Stone French Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This fine European antique fireplace mantel is from the burgundy region near the Corton village. The bicolor of this marble hard stone is typical that village in the middle of the vi...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

18th Century Original Antique Fireplace Mantel with Black Marble Inlay
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is a fabulous Directoire period fireplace surround in warm red hard stone. The Belgian black marble inlay with horse heads details sculpture is of an exceptional Quality. This i...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Stone

18th Century French Classic Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Perfect fireplace surround for a panel room. It was also original installed in the center of the Burgundy region in France. Some original patina still remains on the mantel ,which en...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

18th Century Fine Marble Fireplace Surround With Bespoke Brass Bijouterie
Located in Beervelde, BE
This unusual antique fireplace surround was crafted at the end of the 18th century. It is made of a very special colored marble with brass bijouterie; it is typical of Directoire per...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, 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

19th Century Original Antique Country Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
Burgundy hard stone fireplace surround made by special commission of a horse lover. Detail of saddle for horse riding in the center. The front has a nice moving design into the room....
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

French Maison Jansen Style Ebonized Mahogany Coffee Table Built to Order
Located in Chicago, IL
French Maison Jansen or Directoire style coffee table that in our home, might more accurately be described as a cocktail table. This particular Maison Jansen or Directoire style coff...
Category

2010s American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Decca French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream & Gold Bar Cabinet Buffet (B)
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

18th Century Antique Fireplace Mantel with Starry Marble Inlay
Located in Beervelde, BE
This antique fireplace surround in hard stone of the Directoire period with statuary marble inlay is quite unique. The hard stone has a wood look. The front is decorated with musique...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

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...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Original French Directoire Period Vintage Fireplace Surround Designed by Nature
Located in Beervelde, BE
Very impressive fireplace surround in bicolor burgundy hard stone from the vineyard area around Corton, France. The colors in the stone are exceptionally designed by nature. The det...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

19th Century Original Antique French Stylish Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is a fabulous, one of a kind , original antique fireplace surround in a porfierish hard stone. The inlay is of a high quality. This one is very easy on the eye. The straight lin...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Belgian Black Marble, Statuary Marble

18th Century Directoire Vintage French Marble Limestone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is a phenomenal French Burgundy region bicolor hard stone fireplace chimneypiece. The rich and royal carving is astounding. It is a museum worthy piece of the Directoire period....
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

1960s French Brass Stool
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s French Brass Stool With Scrolls Legs bend in per the design Needs refinishing and reupholstery
Category

1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

English walnut and elm burl walnut tilt of the 1700s
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
18th-century English walnut and elm burl walnut flap - A masterpiece of style and function The 18th-century English walnut and elm burl flap is an elegant example of period craftsma...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Elm, Nutwood

French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Hard Stone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A phenomenal Directoire period fireplace mantel in hard stone with Black Belgian marble inlay. The centrepiece shows horse head details. The front is unusually bowed to the back of the wall. This gives this is an extra twist. This one was installed in a wood panel room...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone

French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows. This stunning French Empire style or Directoire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze quive...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Directoire Lion Mask Sconces of Bronze
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very fine pair of sconces, of gilt bronze and partial painted finish, each concave hexagonal backplate divided by a vertical arrow, and centered by a lion mask, its teeth holding two...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th-century Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier is a masterpiece of elegance and opulence, epitomizing the design sensibilities of the era. Suspended from a gilded bronze canopy...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

St. Croix Mahogany Directoire One Drawer Stand, Stamped By Maker circa 1790-1800
Located in Charleston, SC
This Directoire or Consulate Style solid Mahogany One Drawer Work-stand / Table was made in the Danish West Indies on the Island of Saint Croix in the Lat...
Category

Late 18th Century Caribbean Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Cedar

Pair of French Black and Gold Trim Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French black and gold trim side chairs. Upholstered in a linen blend fabric. Hollywood Regency style.
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

French Bronze Mounted Mahogany Directoire Style Meridienne
Located in Dallas, TX
A very graceful French meridienne in the directoire style.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Directoire Chairs, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four French Directoire walnut chairs with a cushioned S-shaped backrest and a trapezoidal seat, standing on conical feet in the front and saber legs in the rear. The chairs were prof...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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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