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
Miniature French Directoire Style Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Directoire style miniature chest of drawers.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold & White Upholstery France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty beech armchair with a pretty tapestry in shades of gold and white in the Directoire style - 19th century
The very luminous white and gold upholstery makes it an elegant ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine and important center table with square shaped Egyptian porphyry veneered tabletop.
Base in walnut and ebonized wood of the Directoire period of the late 18th century, made with special care and 'original choice of the Radica and marquetry.
Provenance from an aristocratic family descendant of Parma.
Measurements: cm 120 x 120
This particular Imperial grade of porphyry came from a quarry in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.
The term "porphyry" is from Latin and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble will make the perfect addition to any room. Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahogany, it has been given a fini...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Fine Quality French Directoire Breche Marble Top Brass Gallery End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine French Directoire style end table showcases the elegance and refinement of late 18th to early 19th century neoclassical design. The table features a richly grained breche m...
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Brass
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Style Onyx and Bronze Guéridon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning onyx and bronze Directoire style guéridon with paw feet. Lower onyx shelf and central finial.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Two Story Mahogany Side Table
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
This two story side table is made from mahogany wood with border inlays in a lighter colored wood.
The inspiration for this piece comes from Directorie Style, a 15 year period in la...
Category
2010s Mexican Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
French Paint Decorated Directoire Petite Commode Jewelry Chest by Lewis Mittman
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French paint decorated Directoire style petite commode jewelry chest by Lewis Mittman beautifully captures the elegance of neoclassical design. Crafted with attention ...
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$2,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
18th Century Directoire Gueridon
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th century Directoire gueridon with original paint.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
French Vintage Directoire Steel Floor Lamp with Feather Shade
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic floor lamp having a sleek Directoire steel base on 3 elegant legs and a handmade one of a kind shade dreamily adorned with authentic brown a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel
Fine Quality 19th Century Bronze Mounted Directoire Jansen Style Marble Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exceptional 19th century French commode exemplifies the refined elegance of the Directoire and Jansen style, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The commode features a ...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Settee with Painted Garlands, Upholstery and Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire settee from the 19th century with soft creamish yellow painted finish, green accents, painted garlands and linen upholster...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Table, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Italian Directoire console table; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports the origi...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Russian Gilt Figural and Ebonized Marble Top Pedestals, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Russian Gilt figural and ebonized marble top pedestals terminating on tripod winged hoof feet. Late 18th Century
Category
1790s Russian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century, 6 Mahogany Chairs, Directoire Style
Located in Beaune, FR
Suite of 6 Directoire style mahogany chairs. The seats are covered with a fabric. They are in good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 1900s Directoire Style Walnut Three-Drawer Commode with Banding
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with three drawers, banding and tapered legs. Born in France during the early years of the 20th century, this Di...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair French Directoire Style Lion Mask X Form Vintage Planters Jardinieres
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of French Directoire style jardinieres embodies elegance, strength, and refined craftsmanship, making them a standout addition to any collection or interior design. Each pl...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,996 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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 Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Enhance your home décor with this stunning French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves, a timeless blend of elegance and functionality. Crafted during the Directoire period, this exquisite floor lamp features a rich mahogany body complemented by beautifully detailed brass mounts that highlight its sophisticated design. The lamp showcases a unique tiered structure with three spacious round shelves, perfect for displaying decorative items, books, or plants while adding a touch of classic French charm to any room.
The lamp is fitted with dual bulb sockets at the top, ensuring ample lighting and enhancing the ambiance in your living space. Its fluted mahogany columns and finely turned legs exemplify the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of French Directoire furniture...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Antique French Painted Directoire Style Armchairs, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of French history known as Directoire was a difficult time, as it arrived at the end of the Revolutionary War. Furnishings in this style, such as our pair of painted armch...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$17,032 Sale Price / set
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 ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$3,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair are painted on wood panel and done circa 1760 by a country artist working from life. Each composition is very similar but subtly different and incorporating different leaves...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Brass and Steel Glass Top Maison Jansen Style Directoire End Table, circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This brass and steel glass top Maison Jansen style Directoire end table, circa 1960, embodies the refined elegance and timeless appeal for which Maison Jansen is celebrated. Crafted ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine French Breche D' Alep Marble Top Faux Tambor Doors Directoire Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine French Directoire style sideboard is a superb example of craftsmanship and elegance, distinguished by its stunning Breche d’Alep marble top and refined architectural form. ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Bronze
$7,996 Sale Price
20% Off
French Vitrine Cabinet, Glass Door Walnut, Rosewood with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Toronto, CA
A French vitrine cabinet with glass door and sides, in walnut with rosewood and tulipwood, top
with a grey marble top.
The ormolu mounts give the cabinet the Louis XV styling tha...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Walnut Directoire Bench Having a Cord Seat and Open Arms
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Italian Walnut Directoire Bench having a cord seat and open arms. A beautifully preserved piece constructed of walnut, a prized material in Italy during the 18th centur...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cord, Walnut
French Directoire Ebonized Dolphins Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
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Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
French regency Italian style with Ebonized arms & carved dolphins desk...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$580 Sale Price
27% Off
19th Century French Directoire Mirror and Console with Ebony Columns
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning two piece French Directoire mirror over matching console, perfect for an entryway or important hallway. Mirror has original stunning ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
$2,850 Sale Price
25% Off
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
$6,927 / item
Wrought Iron French Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Gold gilt wrought iron glass top coffee table. Some scratches to the glass. Attributed to Maison Ramsay.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
Directoire Style Bronze And Burl Walnut Guéridon
Located in Essex, MA
Circular inset black granite top with metal banded edge and three faux bamboo cluster column supports joining a lower tripartite stretcher. Ending on bronze capped saber legs.
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Bronze
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
Late 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretaire with Fall-Front Desk Top
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th Century Swedish secretaire with fall-front desk top.
This style of desk was very popular in the 18th and 19th century in Sweden.
It offers an ingenious array of storage pos...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Directoire Walnut Tricoteuse Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with conforming gallery over a drawer and a trestle base with a stretcher.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$19,000 / set
Directoire Sofa in Fruitwood with Paw Feet, France, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Directoire period fruitwood sofa with carved paw feet, France, circa 1800,
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
The Consulat style is a subset of the Directoire period, coinciding with the initial consolidation of power by Napoleon Bonaparte (roughly 1799-1804). Both historically and culturall...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Green Painted Household Shrine
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th century green-painted household shrine, or niche, in Directoire neoclassical style (circa 1795-1815). Used for lighting candles or placing statue of saint. Original green ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on balust...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
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
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
$7,097 / set
Antique Directoire Style Mahogany Petite Vitrine with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Directoire Style Mahogany Petite Vitrine with Carrara Marble was hand-crafted in the mid-1900s out of exotic imported mahogany, then trimmed in brass and fitted with brass dr...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Pair of Memphis Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Memphis style armchairs. Chairs are newly upholstered in linen. Has mahogany arms, a painted steel frame with circular bronze trim and bronze base.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
$6,300 / set
French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style (20th Century) gilt bronze end table with 3 scroll legs and inset round pink and black speckled marble top and shelf.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$17,032 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A palatial pair of French doré bronze four-light bow top and tassle wall sconces, newly wired.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Direttorio 1770 walnut extending table
By A. Manzoni
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Direttorio 1770 walnut antique extending table - Timeless elegance for your home
A masterpiece of late 18th century antique extendable table
This splendid walnut extending table, m...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
rare Olivewood side table with decorative hardware.
Located in Bronx, NY
This wonderful french side table is wonderfully craffed with details and moulures to add class and elegance. The bale is made of rare olive wood with an impressive patern on the top....
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Fine Italian Dining Room Set of Eight Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Directoire Period French Music Room Grey Marble Stone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Phenomenal antique fireplace mantel (fireplace) in the Besançon grey hard stone from the Directoire period. The central cartouche shows musical instruments.
The mantel aged very nic...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
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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