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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
Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay
Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay

Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay

By Jacob Frères

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a spectacular and extraordinary piece of furniture that will add a touch of luxury and style to any corner you place it into. A fine late eighteenth cen...

Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Directoire Mahogany Trestle Table, Early 19th Century
Directoire Mahogany Trestle Table, Early 19th Century

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.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs
Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs

Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exceptional complete set of six Italian 19th century Directoire st. olive wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square legs below the straight apron. ...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Olive

Period French Directoire’ Giltwood Mirror
Period French Directoire’ Giltwood Mirror

Period French Directoire’ Giltwood Mirror

Located in Dallas, TX

The Period French Directoire Giltwood Mirror is an elegant and sophisticated addition to any home decor. With a classic design inspired by the French Directoire style, this mirror is...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Wine Table with Gray Marble Top
18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Wine Table with Gray Marble Top

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Wine Table with Gray Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

A French Directoire wine tasting table in mahogany with a gray marble top and brass inserts to hold wine bottles. This table dates from the late 18th century and is still very funct...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Directoire Boot Scrape
French Directoire Boot Scrape

French Directoire Boot Scrape

Located in New York, NY

French Directoire boot scrape. Iron boot scrape on winged paw feet, France late 18th century. Dimension: 11" H x 10" D x 13" W.

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Fine pair of French bronze and gilded bronze candelabra from the 18/19 th
Fine pair of French bronze and gilded bronze candelabra from the 18/19 th

Fine pair of French bronze and gilded bronze candelabra from the 18/19 th

Located in Berlin, DE

This impressive pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabra is a typical example of the French Empire period. Inspired by Greco-Roman influence, each candelabrum features a female...

Category

Early 1800s Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock

Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Kittery Point, ME

The oval base raised on toupie feet, centered with a panel of hunting dogs with hunting trophies on each side, the case supported by a landscaped scenery of water and rocks and surmo...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns

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

Late 18th Century French Metal Lamp
Late 18th Century French Metal Lamp

Late 18th Century French Metal Lamp

By Maison de L'Aluminium

Located in Copenhagen, K

Converted oil lamp from "Maison de Laluminium" in Paris. Very nice ornamented bronze, brass and metal lamp.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Metal

Directoire Card Table, 1800-10, Mahogany
Directoire Card Table, 1800-10, Mahogany

Directoire Card Table, 1800-10, Mahogany

Located in Belmont, MA

This French Directoire card table dates back to around 1800-10, It has a pretty mahogany veneer. The table stands on four pointed legs. The top can be folded out and rests on the pul...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier
French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier

French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An elegant and most decorative French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier. This beautiful six arm chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom fin...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Claude Galle (1759-1815) Pair of French Directoire Urns or Vases Bronze Ormolu
Claude Galle (1759-1815) Pair of French Directoire Urns or Vases Bronze Ormolu

Claude Galle (1759-1815) Pair of French Directoire Urns or Vases Bronze Ormolu

By Claude Galle

Located in Pistoia, IT

Pair of bronze and marble urns from the Directory period attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1815). The two ovoid urns are cast in alternating patinated bronze and mercury-gilt bronze...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents
Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents

Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents

Located in Stamford, CT

A Monumental French Ebonized and parcel-gilt mirror in the style of Directoire, circa 1950s, the rectangular beveled looking glass with a panelled frame decorated by brass accents.

Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Vitrine Cabinet, Glass Door Walnut, Rosewood with Ormolu Mounts
French Vitrine Cabinet, Glass Door Walnut, Rosewood with Ormolu Mounts

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

Early 19th Century French Ormolu-Gilded Inkwell
Early 19th Century French Ormolu-Gilded Inkwell

Early 19th Century French Ormolu-Gilded Inkwell

Located in Copenhagen, K

French cut-glass, Palisander and ormolu inkwell. Sneaks as handle and claw on ball feet. Original glass wells and two drawers.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maison Baguès Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Maison Baguès Steel and Brass Coffee Table

Maison Baguès Steel and Brass Coffee Table

By Maison Baguès

Located in New York, NY

Steel and brass Maison Baguès coffee table with a rectangular shaped glass top.

Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table
French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table

French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table

Located in New York, NY

French bronze and marble coffee table. The table has a marble top with floral style bronze legs. Stamped made in France under one of the legs.

Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels

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

17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland
17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland

17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland

Located in Brussels, Brussels

Fine 17th century table with two extensions coming from Switzerland This uncommun extension table has a very beautiful base with Fine carvings and t...

Category

1650s Swiss Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold & White Upholstery France 19th
French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold & White Upholstery France 19th

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

Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany and Marble Consoles
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany and Marble Consoles

Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany and Marble Consoles

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A very elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, and Vert Maurin marble consoles. Each freestanding console is raised by slender square tapered...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble

18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie
18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie

18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie

By Jean-Simon Deverberie

Located in Essex, MA

Period French marble and ormolu mantel clock with sunburst or sun king motif original works. Gilding in great condition. Neoclassical form with enamel embellishments in great conditi...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Steel and Brass Coffee Table in the Manner of Jansen
Steel and Brass Coffee Table in the Manner of Jansen

Steel and Brass Coffee Table in the Manner of Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

Polished steel and brass coffee table manner of Jansen. Stretcher has curved legs with brass ball feet.    

Category

1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Wrought Iron French Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Maison Ramsay
Wrought Iron French Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Maison Ramsay

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

French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century
French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century

French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century

Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR

French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century This French Directoire-style table embodies the elegance and ingenuity of late 18th-century craftsmanship...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Directoire style round Table in solid cherry wood, white-cream lacquered
French Directoire style round Table in solid cherry wood, white-cream lacquered

French Directoire style round Table in solid cherry wood, white-cream lacquered

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

American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair
American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair

American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair

Located in Southampton, NY

American ivory painted upholstered swan French Directoire style armchair.

Category

Late 20th Century North American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Early 19th Century French Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock by Deverberie
Early 19th Century French Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock by Deverberie

Early 19th Century French Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock by Deverberie

By Deverberrie

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

This is a classic Directoire period clock by the famous clock maker Deverberie. The drum-shaped clock is surmounted by an ormolu basket of flowers with festoons of foliage and flower...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Maison Jansen Style Mirrored Top Coffee Table
Maison Jansen Style Mirrored Top Coffee Table

Maison Jansen Style Mirrored Top Coffee Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

Maison Jansen style coffee table with a mirrored top. Black legs and a decorative scrolled stretcher with gold feet.

Category

1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Side Chairs
Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Side Chairs

Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Side Chairs

Located in Dallas, TX

Late 18th century carved and painted Directoire side chairs. Featuring a lovely patina and upholstered in a pastel plaid. Pretty! Circa 1795 19w x 15d x 34.5h

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

French Directoire style 6-drawer handcrafted chiffonier in solid cherry wood
French Directoire style 6-drawer handcrafted chiffonier in solid cherry wood

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

Italian Walnut High Chair, Hand-Crafted, Directoire Style, Italy, 1880
Italian Walnut High Chair, Hand-Crafted, Directoire Style, Italy, 1880

Italian Walnut High Chair, Hand-Crafted, Directoire Style, Italy, 1880

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

Italian walnut high chair: sturdy, simple, comfortable with the rounded backrest. If you want a cushion, no problem: there are many ones, easily was...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s

Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s

Located in Stockholm, SE

A pair of French candlesticks in a wonderful condition. White marble mounted with bronze ornaments. The quality of the castings and chiseling is high. the design is romantic and beau...

Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs

An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs

By Charles Percier

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

All six frames featuring swan shaped brass inlaid motifs strikingly silhouetted against ebonized panels within brass moldings, over hand carved lyre-shaped splats replete with brass 'strings'. The frames also featuring brass strung stiles, front seat rails & sabre-leg front supports. All are in exceptionally sound condition due to the classical construction method of using oak as the secondary wood for added strength & durability. The swan motif was highly favored by cabinetmakers & mount makers during the Directoire Period and was associated with Napoleons consort Josephine, by interpreting her protective nature towards her children like that of a swan towards it's cygnets). For comparative examples see works by Charles Percier...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France
Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France

Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Chic and understatedly elegant set of four Directoire-style rectangular walnut mirrors, from the 1940s. The corners are embellished with a simple diamond-shape ebonized wood cabochon...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Bespoke Two Drawer Chest, Walnut & Tulipwood, Modern Design, UK
Bespoke Two Drawer Chest, Walnut & Tulipwood, Modern Design, UK

Bespoke Two Drawer Chest, Walnut & Tulipwood, Modern Design, UK

Located in Uppingham, GB

Two Drawer Chest of Drawers. Modern design two drawer chest with simple lines, matching 'Stripey' Walnut Grained tops, Two finely Beaded drawers resting on slender tapering legs. Mad...

Category

2010s British Directoire Furniture

Materials

Tulipwood, Walnut

French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table
French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table

French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exceptional and most decorative French 19th century Directoire style flamed mahogany, rosewood, maplewood and ormolu side/center table. The table is raised by its original casters...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pinwheel Portico Clock
Pinwheel Portico Clock

Pinwheel Portico Clock

Located in Stamford, CT

A French Empire pinwheel portico clock with figured amboyna wood. Signed Rieussec, Horlogier du Roi.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Amboyna

Table Tier English Mahogany Brass Marble 19th Century England
Table Tier English Mahogany Brass Marble 19th Century England

Table Tier English Mahogany Brass Marble 19th Century England

Located in New York, NY

Table tier English mahogany brass marble, 19th century England. A side table made during the end of 18th century / beginning of 19th century in England. Tiers from white marble trimmed with a brass edge. Tripod with the shapes of human legs...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique English Adjustable Stool, Mahogany & Red Leather, Circa 1900
Antique English Adjustable Stool, Mahogany & Red Leather, Circa 1900

Antique English Adjustable Stool, Mahogany & Red Leather, Circa 1900

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

M/832 - Antique English adjustable piano or vanity stool in mahogany, just covered in real red leather. Height adjustable. Simple and elegant.

Category

Early 20th Century English Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Directoire Terracotta Frieze
French Directoire Terracotta Frieze

French Directoire Terracotta Frieze

Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

A carved frieze of three terracotta panels of dancing maidens: French Directoire From the frieze of a rotunda. Repaired breaks

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Portico Clock, Directoire Period
Portico Clock, Directoire Period

Portico Clock, Directoire Period

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Portico clock in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a rectangular base in white marble. Architecture with two columns topped by griffins holding the di...

Category

1790s European Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Directoire Style Armchair
French Directoire Style Armchair

French Directoire Style Armchair

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880. Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h. Internal reference: JG11 Reference: 8063 Dimensions 28 inches (71 cms) Wide 30.5 inches (77 cms)...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps
Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps

Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Silver

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10
Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10

Located in Leimen, DE

Discover the elegance and historical charm of this Directoire armchair, originating from France around 1800. This piece showcases a meticulously carved walnut frame, reflecting the r...

Category

Early 1800s 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.