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
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
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
$6,255 / item
French 18th Century Classicistical Directoire Trumeau/Mirror in White/Gold Paint
Located in Salzburg, AT
French, Classic Directoire Trumeau 18th century gold / white
Very fine representation of an antique chariot with handlebar.
Framed with pearl frieze ...
Category
1790s European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Wood
19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period.
A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
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
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
Beautiful Maison Jansen Style French Directoire Creme Painted X Bench Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style French Directoire crème painted X-bench, circa 1960, is a stunning example of neoclassical revival design that combines elegance with functional charm. Beaut...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
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 Painted Antique Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
In a painted antique 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 t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$6,255 / item
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
Vicentine Direttorio walnut dresser from the 1700s
By A. Manzoni
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
An 18th-Century Masterpiece: 18th-Century Vicentine Directory Walnut Chest of Drawers
Furnishing one's home with period furniture means adding a touch of history and sophistication ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
French Bronze Coffee Table by Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
French bronze coffee table with thick glass top by Maison Ramsay.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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 Directoire Period Side Table, oval shaped, around 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
This elegant oval side table, dating from the Directoire period around 1800, is crafted from solid walnut and features a beautiful marble top with a brass railing. In good original c...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Directoir period of the Late 18’ 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
Italian Walnut High Chair
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
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 Chest of Drawers, Directoire Period, Carved and Patinated Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directoire chest of drawers, late 18th or early 19th century, in carved, painted and patinated wood, with a grey marble top, fluted carving decoration on the sides and geome...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century French Mahogany Directoire Style Coffee Table with Carrara Marble To
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-century French Mahogany Directoire style coffee table with Carrara marble top represents understated elegance in a manner of which th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
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
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Green and White Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this elegant antique tole lamp; crafted in France, circa 1840, the lamp sits on a square base, and features hand pa...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Directoire Style Chair, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style chair circa 1930
patina and coating to redo.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
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
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
French Directoire-style Hexagonal Black and Gilt Leather Pedestal Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style hexagonal top center table with ebonized finish, gilt trim and details, gilt embossed leather top, and bronze decorative drawer pulls...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather
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
Set of Six Directoire Mahogany Dining Chairs Attributed to Georges Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A set of six period Directoire dining chairs carved in Honduras mahogany. Identical chairs are shown in the reference book "Ebenists of the 18th century". While unstamped, this set comes with written documentation and attribution to George Jacob by a leading antique dealer in Paris from where they were purchased.
Georges Jacob (6 July 1739 – 5 July 1814) the most prominent furniture maker in 18th century Paris. He produced carved, painted and gilded beds and seat furniture and upholstery work for the French royal châteaux, in the Neoclassical style that is associated with Louis XVI furniture. In his workshop he employed numerous specialist carvers and gilders. In 1785, Jacob produced the first mahogany chairs à l'anglaise, for the Comte de Provence similar in many ways to the ones on offer here.
When he retired in 1796, Georges Jacob left his workshop in the hands of his two sons, one of whom was François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter who went on to become a leading French Empire Furniture...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Round Top Armchair in Silk Upholstery
Located in Sofia, BG
ARMCHAIR in natural wood, resting on fluted baluster legs.
Work of the 30s
France
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,424 Sale Price
50% Off
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Directoire clock attributed to Sèvres. Beautifully sculpted biscuit porcelain in white and Wedgwood blue jasper ware col...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
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
French Directoire Unique Fireplace Split Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully designed French Directoire canape highlighted with paint and water gilding.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$8,900 / set
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
Mahogany Buffet with Solid Bronze Accents Available in Any Dimension of Finish
Located in Chicago, IL
Newly constructed buffet was made here in our in-store Old Plank Workshop. The buffet was handcrafted and built from mahogany, with solid bronze trim. The color was achieved utilizing an old school ebonize process, where we use iron acetate to slowly darken the mahogany. When you see the buffet in person, you’ll noticed that it is not quite black and some may actually describe it as coffee bean. We often see this on 19th century Napoleon III antique furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Large Neoclassic Chandelier in Ostankino Palace style, blue crystal , 18 lights
By Johann Zech
Located in Paris, FR
One of the most elegant exemple of Baltic-style large Palace Chandelier. Fountains crystal falls respond harmoniously to fire gilt bronze leaves and graceful cobalt blue central vase...
Category
1790s Baltic Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, 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
English walnut and elm burl walnut tilt of the 1700s
By A. Manzoni
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
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
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
Pair of Directoire Cream-Painted Slipper Chairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each with a rectangular carved panelled top rail above a pierced vertical splat and an upholstered seat, raised on front tapering circular legs and saber back legs.
The exquisite qu...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
$7,750 / set
Table Game Directoire 19th French Mahogany Brass Leather Top France
Located in New York, NY
Table game Directoire 19th century French mahogany brass leather top, France. A game table made during the 19th century in France. Demi lune opens up to a round table. Channeled and ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Directoire French Golden Ocher Color Tole Tray
Located in Houston, TX
Directoire French golden ocher color tole tray adorned in original painted decoration, early 19th century.
Note: Original/early finish on antique an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
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 Pair of Directoire Silver metal
Bronze Directoire Candlesticks
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of French Directory period candlesticks, early 19th century, in silver bronze with base decoration with concentric arches, upper part decorated w...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Directoire Bronze Dore Bird and Arrow Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Directoire-style (19th Century) bronze dore wall scoces with two arms, a double wreath design, and bird head and arrow details. (PRICED AS Pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
Antique French Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
1920s French bronze and marble pedestal. Pedestal has hoof feet, a nice burgundy marble top with a decorative and ornate bronze frame.
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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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