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
French Mahogany Oval Side Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Directoire mahogany oval side table with a Carrara marble top, bronze drapery pierced gallery trim, two front facing drawers, fluted le...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 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
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
1950s Italy Empire Bar Buffet, Servant Sideboard, by Federico Munari.
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant bar sideboard in walnut with maple interiors. Designed and produced by Munari ; with internal glass shelf and two drawers, all in vitrified and inlaid maple wood finish. Two ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Italian Desk with Drawer Directoire All Cherrywood Restored and Wax-Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th-early 20th century Italian writing desk with drawer all solid cherrywood, restored and wax-polished.
Wonderful writing table in solid cherrywood, original and restored. ...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Antique French Directoire Glazed Cabinet with Crossed Water-Gilded Arrows
Located in Chicago, IL
About as original as can be, this stellar antique only received a minimal amount of conservation in our highly regarded workshop. Constructed of exotic rosewood, the case packs quite...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Set of Four Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Henri Jacob, circa 1795
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
A set of four Mahogany armchairs or Fauteuils, in the manner of Henri Jacob (1753-1824, maitre 1779), with a rectangular plat back, its top wrapped, with flat armrests with rosettes ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Satin, Mahogany
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 Style Tole and Gilt Lyre Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire-Style (20th Century) mustard tole and gilt trimmed 4 arm chandelier with lyre top and shades.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Directoire Style Athenienne Stand in Gilt Bronze and Porcelain, 1900 Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style athenienne stand table in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a tripod fluted and tapered support on lion’s paw feet. They’re joined bottom by a concave stretcher f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Painted Bookcase Chicken Wire or Glass Doors Available Any Size
Located in Chicago, IL
Our personal favorite - This Old Plank in-house custom Bookcase in the Directoire style, constructed of solid wood and finished off in distressed black painted exterior, French vanil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wire
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
Directoire Period Engraving
Located in Carmel, CA
Napoleonic War Series, mezzotint Plate 04
"Fusillades de Lyon, Commandees par Collot- D'Herbois"
le 14 December 1793 ou Frimaire An 2 âme de la République
Etching by Pi...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Consulat Mahogany Period Commode with Paw Feet and Fossil Marble Top
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Consulat period mahogany commode with three-drawers, ebonized griffin feet and pilasters, and black fossil marble top. Gilt bronze escutcheons i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Fine French Elegant Limestone Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
The petite measures and elegant jambs with the Fine carving makes it suitable for cosy, elegant and French style room, very charming. The mantel (fireplace) is built in a honey color...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
French 18th-19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 18th-19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Copper
Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere
Located in New York, NY
Elegant faux suede Directoire style bergere with fluted and tapered legs and curved columnar arm details. Natural colored wood showing great a...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Suede
Large Pair of French Directoire over Door Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French Directoire over door panels depicting two cherubs and a swan.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Plaster, Wood
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
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
Custom Hand-Made Louis Philippe Style Bookcase or Display Cabinet, Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade in the Old Plank workshop and fabricated this awesome reproduction French Bibliotheque, copying an authentic antique one verbatim. Newly constructed bookcase with the utmost...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
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
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
Pair of Directoire Style Slipper Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Pair of Directoire style slipper chairs with needle point upholstery, gilt highlights, and nailhead trim.
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Wood
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
Important Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Veneered Tabletop
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine and important center table with 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.
Measurments: 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
1890s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
18th Century French Marble Stone Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
Burgundy hard stone Directoire period fireplace surround with a beautiful cartouche in the center of the front. The mantel endured the time but survived.
Restauration on the left le...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant Directoire style lyre-back settee. Original black paint. Newly reupholstered with vintage fabric. Horsehair-filled cushion.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-19th century French bouliotte lamp. Painted tole shade. Excellent scale and design, circa 1840-1860 in the Directoire style
The open work basket form base was used to retain the...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Handsome Directoire Irish Pine Window Bench or Bench for Foot of Bed
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome Directoire Irish pine window bench or bench for foot of bed.
Category
19th Century Northern Irish Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Directoire Period Engraving "Les Francais en Garnison" in Gilded Frame
Located in Carmel, CA
This engraving depicts French aristocrats and soldiers during Napoleon I reign. It is hand colored. The print is after a painting by Aubry and the engraver of the Master Plate is C...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Directoire Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
These delicately proportioned 18th-century fauteuil armchairs exemplify the French Directoire style, each with a barreled back, and rosette finials a...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Mid-20th Century Directoire Nightstand in Walnut, Restored and Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-20th century Directoire style cabinet with drawers, nightstand, in walnut, restored and polished to wax
Measure cm: H 65 x W 54 x D 37.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Blue Stone Classic Rustic Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This classic straight fireplace surround in bicolor grey hard stone from the Burgundy region with star as a central motive has a country, rustic influence.
Measures:
155.5 cm EW 61...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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
Pair of French Ebonized Gold Glass End Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century (1940s) ebonized low end tables with an inset gold glass top and gilt trim with an open design stretcher (Attributed to MAISON JANSEN) (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Dark Green and Gilt Painted Vine Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire (l8th /19th Century) dark green painted trumeau / wall mirror with gilt vinework decorated frame.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century Directoire Period Fine Original Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original vintage Directoire period fireplace surround is from the Jura Region. The right jamb has been restored. The center detail on the front is a composition of elements of w...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Directoire Style Thick Marble-Top Coffee Table With Matching Faux Marble Base
Located in Stamford, CT
A beautiful marble-top coffee table with matching faux marble base. The coffee table is in a Directoire style, attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Ebonized Mahogany French Directoire Style Desk Hand-Crafted in Chicago Any Size
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade in our Old Plank workshop, this Ebonized Mahogany Directoire Style Desk can be made in any size or finish. Note the optional pop up door and hidden power strip...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Period 18th Century Directoire Fireplace with Half Round Columns
Located in London, GB
A small, well proportioned French stone Directoire fireplace. The jambs with half round columns surmounted by plain frieze and reeded shelf, circa 1800.
Measurements:
Shelf width: 1...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina, '4' Available
Located in Chicago, IL
Matched pair of French Directoire armchairs. Incredible finish, or should I say lack of finish, whatever you preference the patination is wo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery
Early 19th century Directoire Gentleman's Valet or Vide Poche
Located in Savannah, GA
Vide poche is a French term meaning empty pockets. Features include fine mahogany with classical decorative gold gilt accents. Constructed in an unusual shape. It would make a fine a...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Russian Gilt Figural and Ebonized Marble Top Pedestals, Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, 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
Large Directoire Period Glazed Boiserie Panels with Door
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 19th century French paneled wall retaining its original cream painted finish and hardware with glazed upper areas. There is a center door and two side panels. This would be ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Directoire Painted Ladies' Chair
Located in Carmel, CA
Directoire upholstered ladies' bergère with down cushion and sold scroll back. The chair has upholstered arms resting on balustrade columns and scabbard legs with block with rosette detail. The two tone paint is original. The Lee Jofa fabric is a tea stained hand printed fabric...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paint
18th Century Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This bicolor antique fireplace surround has a very deep patina. The detail in the middle shows music instruments and is from the Directoire period. It was installed in a panneled lib...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream & Gold Painted Bar Cabinet by Decca A
By Decca, Maison Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large and impressive late 20th century custom-made cream and gold distress painted cabinet by Decca in the French Louis XVI Directoire/neoclas...
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Masonite, Paint
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
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
Pair of Directoire-Style Bronze Two Light Applique
Located in Vista, CA
Pair of Directoire-style two light appligues, each backplate molded with a bowknot and tassels.
Category
20th Century European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1795 Clock Time Period Directory has l Ouroboros in Bronze Two-Colour
By Louis Jacques Vaillant
Located in Paris, FR
Clock Time Period skated and golden bronze, or moulu, Directory has l yet, allegory has l Ouroboros, decoration of winged griffons, urn , stars, caduceus...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
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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