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 Directoire Style Ebonized Solid Mahogany Desk in Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Our Old Plank Directoire style desk, is entirely made to order in our workshop here in Chicago and can be specified, both in dimension and finishes. Since we do everything in house, the options are almost limitless; down to the color of the leather. The Directoire desk you see in our 1stdibs listing, was crafted from solid mahogany and carefully ebonized the old fashion way, where the grain of the mahogany is still visible, as are the warm brown tones of the wood. Take a close look at the gold embossing on the leather top, of our French style desk...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Veneto sideboard late 1700s walnut
By A. Manzoni
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Elegant Late 18th century Venetian Sideboard in Walnut
A jewel of Veneto craftsmanship that enriches any room with historic charm and timeless elegance. This sideboard, made in the l...
Category
1760s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Period French Directior Leather Topped Writing Table.
Located in Hudson, NY
This beautiful period writing table was constructed in France circa 1790 to 1800 of rich imported mahogany and the woods have been carefully selected to create an overall pattern of ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
19th Century French Oval Mahogany Dressing Mirror
Located in London, GB
A large mid 19th century French oval mahogany dressing table Mirror surmounted by urn, supported by carved & scrolled eagle heads with central paterae, ending on possibly replaced pl...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair Of Directoire Armchairs In White Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Directore armchairs in lacquered wood bench, trapezoidal backrest and jacob style legs, Seats covered with a beautiful bottle gr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
French Directoire Style Iron and Crystal Chandelier with Blue Crystal Feathers
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire style iron and crystal chandelier with blue feather shaped crystals. This chandelier is very decorative and a nice scale.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
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
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
Pair of Memphis Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Memphis style armchairs. Chairs are newly upholstered in linen. Has mahogany arms, a painted steel frame with circular bronze trim and bronze base.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
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
Maison Baguès Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès style French gueridon table.
Has a smoked glass top.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Period French Directoire Mahogany Cannape in Gold Empire Silk Fabric
By Adam Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic Directoire mahogany cannape with lion's head arm supports and paw feet, accented by Empire ormolu mounts and upholstered in gold Empire style silk yellow fabric.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Directoire-style (20th Century) brass wall sconces with three arms, lyre design, and eagle head details (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
Mid-20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Late 18th Century Mahogany Directoire Server
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Original condition with a beautiful natural patina.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Directoire Style Gilt Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire white painted open arm chair with gilt foliate decoration and shaped fluted arms, legs, and open fluted columns on back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
1920s pair of Danish marble & brass gallery painted tables
Located in London, GB
A handsome pair of circa 1920s Scandinavian painted side tables with marble tops banded with reeded brass with fretwork gallery surround.
In a striking mottled grey green marble they...
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A palatial pair of French doré bronze four-light bow top and tassle wall sconces, newly wired.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
18th Century French Directoire Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century French Directoire Armchair is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation! The diamond pattern mohair is of the best quality but show...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Sycamore
Pair Of French Directoire Tole Verriere
Located in Essex, MA
Each oval with handles. Chartreuse color with black classical scene panels. Copper liners. Rusting in spots.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tin
Pair of French Black and Gold Trim Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French black and gold trim side chairs. Upholstered in a linen blend fabric. Hollywood Regency style.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
French 19th Century Directoire St. Cherry Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely attractive and elegant French 19th century Directoire st. cherry and ebonized fruitwood inlaid buffet. The buffet is raised by eight square tapered legs with conforming ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Italian, Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Italian, bronze and marble two-tier pedestal. The pedestal has a very decorative bronze frame. The top marble is beveled.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France. A set of 8 armchairs made during the Directoire period 1790-1810 in France. Frame made in dark staine...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Birch
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
Iron, Brass
French 18th Century Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Exquisite French Directoire period, chandelier dated to the end of 18th century. The lower Montgolfier is centered by a richly chased acorn finial amidst foliate. Main band, supporti...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
18th Century Directoire Commode, Mahogany, Walnut and Sycamore
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Directoire Commode, Mahogany, Walnut and Sycamore with Original hardware. has CHAPNIS stamped. Piece is gorgeous and pr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Sycamore, Walnut
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 French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by 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
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
Decorative Carrara Marble Top Coffee Table with Floral Legs
Located in New York, NY
Decorative Carrara marble top coffee table with floral legs. The legs are metal with a gold painted floral pattern. Style of Maison Cha...
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Green and Black Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table with this elegant antique tole lamp. Crafted in France circa 1840, the light fixture with new wiring sits on a square base over a ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
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
Late 18th Century French Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a late 18th century Directoir marble and gilt bronze clock after a model by Deverberie. The dial is signed a Paris but the maker is not known. The clock sits on...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Steel and Brass Coffee Table in the Manner of 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
Steel, Brass
A pair of large green Lanterns , Classic Baltic style crystal and gilt bronze
By C. Rossi 1
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of large Neo classical Lanterns in Baltic Directoire style, 4 lights, clear crystal bowl, overcome by a green crystal disc , gilt bronze fixings with foliage and grapes moti...
Category
1990s Baltic Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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
Walnut Panetière Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare walnut panetière from the beginning of the 19th century
This piece of furniture were used in the past to store the bread in the south of France. Provence region
Very...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
French Directoire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock signed Maniere a Paris. A magnificent antique French Directoire mantel clock in patinated bronze and finest ormolu signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume Maniere who was working in the Rue...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gorgeous, rare French Olivewood commode
Located in Bronx, NY
A rare French riviera olive wood Commode with stuning wood patern and amazing craft, Fully restaured by french nicoisse restauration artisan.
Amazing quality and condition. Oilded b...
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Gilt Bronze Floor Lamp after Maison Charles
Located in New York, NY
French gilded bronze floor lamp after Maison Charles.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century, French Louis XVI Style Six Wood Chairs and Two Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XVI style six wood chairs and two wood armchairs
France, late 19th century
Size: chairs, cm H back 90, seat height 46 x...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
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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