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.
$1,383Sale Price / set|24% Off
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French candlesticks in a wonderful condition. White marble mounted with bronze ornaments. The quality of the castings and chiseling is high. the design is romantic and beau...
Marble, Bronze
$7,650 / set
Pair of French Gilded Iron Corner Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French gilded iron corner tables. Two-tiered glass tops.
Iron
$6,793 / set
French Directoire Terracotta Frieze
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A carved frieze of three terracotta panels of dancing maidens: French Directoire From the frieze of a rotunda. Repaired breaks
Terracotta
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Upholstery, Cherry
French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880. Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h. Internal reference: JG11 Reference: 8063 Dimensions 28 inches (71 cms) Wide 30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Fabric, Oak
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...
Bronze
$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...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Wood
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...
Walnut
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.
Aluminum
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
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...
Bronze, Tin
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Bronze
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...
Leather, Wood
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.
Marble
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.
Bronze
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...
Marble, Bronze
$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.
Fruitwood
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...
Bronze
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble will make the perfect addition to any room. Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahogany, it has been given a fini...
Carrara Marble, Brass
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.
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
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.
$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.
Oak
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...
Wood
Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones
Silk, Wood
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce 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 ...
Bronze
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.
Bronze
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...
Bronze
Continental Directoire Style Flamed Mahogany and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome Continental 19th century Directoire st. flamed mahogany and marble center table. The table is raised by three elegant patinat...
Ormolu
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...
Ormolu
Portal of the Directoire Period, Early 19th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Directoire period wrought iron gate with two panels, divided into two sections by a horizontal band. The upper part is composed of vertical rods ending in spearheads. They rest on a ...
Wrought Iron
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...
Brass, Ormolu
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...
Walnut
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.
Mahogany
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...
Carrara Marble
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...
Ormolu
Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s
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...
Brass
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Bronze
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Wood
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...
Marble