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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
Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces
Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces

Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces

$3,500 / set

Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces

Located in Dallas, TX

A pair of French 19th century painted and parcel-gilt tole wall jardinieres wired as wall sconces.

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Tôle

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-1810
Directoire Armchair, France 1800-1810

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-1810

$2,878

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-1810

Located in Leimen, DE

Discover the elegance and historical charm of this Directoire armchair, originating from France around 1790. This piece showcases a meticulously carved walnut frame, reflecting the r...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

$2,158

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

Portico Clock, Directoire Period
Portico Clock, Directoire Period

Portico Clock, Directoire Period

$4,820

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

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

$2,100Sale Price|40% Off

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

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

$37,500 / set

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

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

Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10

$2,997

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

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces

$19,000 / set

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Directoire Diminutive Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant and a Similar Diminutive
Directoire Diminutive Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant and a Similar Diminutive

Directoire Diminutive Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant and a Similar Diminutive

$4,500 / item

Directoire Diminutive Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant and a Similar Diminutive

Located in Buchanan, MI

A 19th century Directoire diminutive walnut Secrétaire a' Abattant and a similar diminutive five-drawer chest. Great small drinks table or jewelry chest. Great attention paid to deta...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter
French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter

French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter

$14,900

French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exceptional and most decorative French early 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany and ormolu jardiniere planter circa 1805. The planter is raised by an elegant bottom tier with fi...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table
Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table

Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table

$7,434

Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Rare and elegant Directoire style round coffee table. The table is raised on tapered cast aluminum legs with ring detail. The cast iron apron is adorned with X-shape and star motifs and has traces of original paint. Grey stone top. Unique piece. One of the earliest examples of cast aluminum furniture.

Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

$8,500

Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

Located in Atlanta, GA

A very fine French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble (Rosso Levanto) Mantel Clock. 19th Century. movement stamped 1075. Measures: height 16 1/2" x width 18" x depth 5 1/2" C...

Category

1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Table - Black Italian Marble top
18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Table - Black Italian Marble top

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Table - Black Italian Marble top

$5,500

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Table - Black Italian Marble top

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Table withItalian Black marble top. Gorgeous piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, message us with questions.

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

19th Century, French Center Cabinet with Marble Top
19th Century, French Center Cabinet with Marble Top

19th Century, French Center Cabinet with Marble Top

$4,317

19th Century, French Center Cabinet with Marble Top

Located in IT

19th century, French center cabinet with marble top This central cabinet was made in France, during the Directoire period, between the late eighteenth and the beginning of the ninet...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade
Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade

Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade

$3,850

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

Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s
Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s

Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s

$5,396

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

French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table
French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table

French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table

$9,500

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

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Brass Side Table
French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Brass Side Table

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Brass Side Table

$15,800

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Brass Side Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An extremely elegant French 18th century Directoire period mahogany, ormolu and brass side table. The table is raised by three lightly scrolled legs with fine ormolu mounts with beau...

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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

$1,151Sale Price|20% Off

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

19th Century, 6 Mahogany Chairs, Directoire Style
19th Century, 6 Mahogany Chairs, Directoire Style

19th Century, 6 Mahogany Chairs, Directoire Style

$1,678

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

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

$1,439Sale Price|20% Off

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

Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top
Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top

Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top

$4,950

Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Fine Karelian wood tri-pod table with brass mounts in the Directoire taste with polished verdigris stone top.

Category

20th Century Directoire Furniture

Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones
Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones

Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones

$2,158 / set

Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones

Located in Brussels, BE

Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones

Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob
18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob

18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob

$5,520Sale Price|20% Off

18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

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

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

$15,300

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

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

$1,498 / item

Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi

By Gherardo Degli Albizzi

Located in Florence, Tuscany

This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details. On the top of this sconce, there is a trident sided by two swan's wings. The body ...

Category

2010s Italian Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier
Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier

Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier

$9,800

Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier

Located in Stamford, CT

A doré bronze and cobalt chandelier with a three-feather, circular design in the Russian or Directoire style.

Category

Late 20th Century European Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS
Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS

Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS

$19,726

Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS

Located in Madrid, ES

A Napoleon III Etagere 'japonism' in ormolu and grave glass Modeled as rods of bamboo mounted with bamboo leaves on the legs, the top suspended with four handles and with three circular tiers each engraved with floral and ivy designs and surrounded by a three-quarter pierced gallery, the upper tier signed 'ALPH. GIROUX PARIS...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. Carrara and Belgian marble mantel
Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. Carrara and Belgian marble mantel

Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. Carrara and Belgian marble mantel

$33,900 / item

Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. Carrara and Belgian marble mantel

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An elegant and most handsome Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. white Carrara and black Belgian marble mantel. This beautiful mantel is elevated by stepped Black Belgian mar...

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble

French Writing Table, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top
French Writing Table, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top

French Writing Table, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top

$3,600

French Writing Table, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top

Located in Montreal, Quebec

An elegant desk from 20th century France. This writing table features a pull-out black leather top adorned with gold tooling, creating a beautiful contrast with the warm brown wood o...

Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France

$4,317 / set

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

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

French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table

$18,900

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

Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves
Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves

Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves

$2,640

Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves

Located in Locust Valley, NY

A vintage round marble top gueridon table with a brass rail, brass legs and mahogany shelves. At the heart of this gueridon table is a round white carrara marble top, exuding a luxur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table
French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table

$9,700

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most attractive French 18th century Directoire period mahogany and Brèche marble tilt top side table. The table is raised by three elegantly scrolled legs with their original caste...

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

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

American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair

$3,040Sale Price|20% Off

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

Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s
Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s

Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s

$1,463 / set

Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s

By Maison Jansen

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Maison Jansen, in the taste of. Pair of Directoire style gilt and silver brass wall sconces with four arm lights. Chandelle shaft topped by an ancient covered vase and finished by...

Category

1970s European Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console
French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console

French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console

$14,900

French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning French late 19th century Directoire st. mahogany dessert console. The console is raised on tapered legs with ormolu sabots joined by a mahogany tier. At the apron is a cen...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble

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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