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
Maison Baguès Iron and Bronze Tufted Mohair Fabric Bench
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès iron and bronze tufted bench. Base is steel with brass hoof feet. Newly upholstered in mohair fabric.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
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...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Maison Jansen Style Mirrored Top Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen style coffee table with a mirrored top. Black legs and a decorative scrolled stretcher with gold feet.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Cherrywood Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th century classicist cherry wood chest of drawers in the Directoire style.
Solid cherry wood and veneered with ribbon inlays on the drawer fronts.
Corpus with panels on the ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Decorative French Bronze Bench
Located in New York, NY
Decorative French bronze bench / stool with a linen-blend upholstered seat.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair of French Bronze and Malachite Directoire Gueridons Mid 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of early to mid 20th century French gilt bronze and malachite topped gueridon cigarette tables.
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
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
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
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
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
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
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
Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of Directoire period gilt and patinated bronze and black and white marble candelabras. They present a decoration of winged sphinxes in patinated bronze carrying on their heads...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Commode
Located in Paris, FR
Commode with three drawers, decorated with antique-inspired images: swags over a reclining draped female holding a cup.
Repatinated.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set Of Four French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant set of four French early 19th century Directoire st. Patinated wood armchairs. Each wonderful chair is raised by circular tapered front legs with two mottled bands and end...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A continental 19th century Directoire st. mahogany center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome Continental 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, Brass, Ormolu and Gris St. Anne marble side/center table. The table is raised by four square tapered ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, 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.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
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 ...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period
A beautifully crafted walnut gueridon features a red, white and grey variegated marble set into a turned moulded frame.
The frieze...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Category
2010s Belgian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Set of Eight French 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and very unique complete set of eight French 19th century Directoire st. patinated wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by lovely turned circular legs at the front wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Ten French Mahogany Directoire St. Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and complete set of ten French turn of the century Directoire st. mahogany dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square tapered legs below the ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 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
19th Century French Directoire Mirror
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Directoire Mirror. Gorgeous striking piece for any wall.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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 det...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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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