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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
Maison Jansen Style Brass Ram's Head Gueridon or Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Brass ram's head Maison Jansen style two-tier side table, smoked glass top.
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Very Fine Antique Dovetailed Leather top Letter Secretary Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Antique Dovetailed Leather top Letter Secretary Desk Chest of Drawers MINT
Category

20th Century American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Italian Directoire X-Back Wrought Iron Acorn Finial Dining Set - 7 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Directoire X-Back Wrought Iron Acorn Finial Dining Set - 7 Pc Set. Listing includes (6) side chairs, (1) rectangular table with faux marble gray laminated top. Set ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vaso con Piatto in Cristallo Decoro Blu e Oro Austroungarico Inizio 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant decagonal shaped crystal lidded vase, dish plate dating back to Directoire period, finely decorated by elaborate floral and geometrical gilded, white and blue enameled patter...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Beautiful Pair of 19th Century French Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Tilt Top Dining Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A vintage French Directoire style oval tilt-top table made of solid walnut. Unusual lyre shaped swivel provides sturdy support. Dining table height. Thick 1" plank top with high glos...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Set of Four Cast Bronze Bows and Tassels Sconces, circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Rare set of four. Housing two-light each, Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA, appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Heavy bronze with g...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Twins Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of twins beds with the original grey lacquered color. The beds are complete with spring boxes, mattresses, covered and pillows.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Limestone Antique Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is an original antique fireplace surround in burgundy hard stone with remains of the original wax. This was built in the Directoire period. Measures: 126 cm EW 49,60". ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Carrara Marble Top & Ormolu Mounted End Tables, attrib. to Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of Maison Jansen attributed Directoire style end tables with Carrara marble on top and superb brass and bronze ormolu mounts. The tables have their original f...
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Directoire Style Painted Accent Table with Slide
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Directoire-style accent table, by Drexel, having an ivory painted finish showing natural wear. Its round top over an apron containing a slide, raised on a trio of sabre legs....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 6 Maison Jansen Attributed Balloon Back Circular Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic set of classic French Directoire dining chairs and in good original condition. They are done in the manner and attr...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Directoire Style 19th Century Walnut Table with Folding Top, Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut console table from the 19th century with folding top, two leaves, single drawer, tapered legs and brown patina. Created in France during the 19th cen...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Collection of Six 19th c. French Directoire Framed Panoramic Wallpaper Panels
Located in Wichita, KS
19th c. wood-block printed French panoramic wallpaper scenes in the Directoire style very likely by the premier French manufacturer, Zuber & Cie. Presenting a panorama of park and ga...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

French Directoire Walnut & Black Geometric Upholstered Sabre Leg Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (early 19th Century) walnut armchair upholstered in a raised textured brown and black geometric fabric, with curved bar toprail and oval seat on carved sabre legs. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century French Maison Jansen Bronze, Steel and Glass Cocktail Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1950, this mid-century coffee table by Maison Jansen exemplifies the firm’s signature blend of neoclassical elegance and modern restraint. The rectangular fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

French antique Architect's Table, Directoire Period 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Explore a stunning late eighteenth-century Directoire Period architect’s desk crafted from figured mahogany. This exquisite piece features an adjustable green leather-lined writing surface with a hidden double rising system. Flanked by a pair of convenient pull-out slides and one long drawer, the desk opens to reveal an additional writing surface and sliding pen tray. Elevated on round tapering legs, this architect's table, also known as "table à la Tronchin...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

2-door 3-drawer Cabinet in solid oak, a French Directoire style interpretation
Located in Landivy, FR
This 2 doors cabinet is a handmade and modernized interpretation of a French Directoire style cabinet at the end of the 18th century. The des...
Category

2010s French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Oak

1960s Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros Directors Chairs White Chrome
Located in Charleston, SC
MCM Style Directors Chairs White Chrome Attr Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros Gorgouse pair of MCM a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern Campaign style sling director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. They are in wonderful vintage condition. The sling’s have the original white leather seats and still maintain their tag on both of the chairs. The chrome x base has been cleaned and polished however there may be slight age appropriate nicks or dings. Please see photos, circa 1960-1970. These chairs will bring a sleek and sophisticated look to any room in your house. They are Campaign style director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. These Mid-Century Modern, circa 1960-1970 The x base is composed of a rectangular tubed chrome steel beautifully polished. They are absolutely stunning and although they are director’s chairs, they will definitely be the main act in any room you put them in! Perfect to use in a sitting room, in the kitchen at a fun little breakfast nook, at a card table or a coffee bar. They are modern style but could bring a little sass to a traditional setting as well. Come to think of it, you need these in your life no matter if your design style leans to Hollywood Regency, Campaign Style, Industrial, or Modern Country, they will be perfect! Robert Kjer Jakobsen was born in Portland, Oregon, on March 8, 1918. From 1949-1985, he was chief designer of the Los Angeles furniture company...
Category

1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Directoire Style Fruitwood Armchair with Brown Leather Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th-century armchair is crafted in the Directoire style, drawing inspiration from late 18th-century French design with its elegant, neoclassical lines and restrained orna...
Category

Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Pair of French Directoire Late 18th Century Lidded Apothecary Jars with Labels
By Deroche
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire period ceramic lidded apothecary jars from the late 18th century, with hand-painted foliage motifs, labeled Tamarind and Ext. Cicutæ A:F, from the Deroche...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

French Directoire Style Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Bench. This lovely French Directoire bench or stool painted a gray/green color with dark blue accents with swan handle ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Set of Six Colonial Safari Armchairs with Animals in the Back Splats
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A set of six French Directoire chairs with figural back splats depicting African animals France, early 19th century Each in elm and pea...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Elm, Pearwood

Pair Of Directoire Style Bronze And Granite Gueridon Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with circular inset black granite tops with metal banded edge and three curved legs and conforming small shelf, all ending on paw feet.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Granite, Bronze

French Period Directoire Trumeau Mirror with Distressed Paint, Late 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French period Directoire trumeau mirror from the late 18th century with gilded accents, carved urn, distressed paint and mirror. This French Directoire mirror features an elegant l...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pair Of Fine Directoire Style Mahogany Marble Top Stands
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant designs, the marble tops with cookie corners in front and carved edges. The cabinets with reeded front column supports and reeded pilaster back supports. The double drawers w...
Category

20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair Directoire Bergeres
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of Directoire late 18th century or early 19th century Marquis or bergere a la reine. The quality and rarity of these chairs, i...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Down

Pair Directoire Bergeres
Pair Directoire Bergeres
$18,750 Sale Price
24% Off
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

1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed. Original fabric.
Category

1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Late 19th Century French Directoire Painted Cane Daybed/Settee, C 1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A late 19th century French Directoire painted cane daybed/settee. C 1880. Very decorative item with original patina.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

19th century French Louis XVI Style Marble Top Commode by Maison Carlihian
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a delicately design, beautifully crafted commode by Maison Carlihan of Paris. The piece is surmounted by a fantastic slab of Brechia D' Alep marble on top and a deep, brass i...
Category

1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

A Diminutive Camelback Settee for Reupholstery
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A diminutive camelback upholstered settee with serpentine back, rolled arms, resting on 5 paint decorated fluted legs with gold accents. Dimensions: 50 1/4" L, 21" D, 20" seat heigh...
Category

20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, 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...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Directoire Style Painted Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely painted Directoire style French window bench. Nicely carved and painted bench with light blue upholstered seat. Very versatile.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Early 19th Century Italian Painted Buffet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful 18th century Italian Tuscan Buffet. The Painted Images and the Vibrant Colors make this piece a standout. It is a very large storage piece...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and extraordinary piece of furniture that will add a touch of luxury and style to any corner you place it into. A fine late eighteenth cen...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Maison Jansen Style Brass Arrow Directoire Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
1960s Maison Jansen style brass Directorie style lamp. Brass retains overall unpolished patina. No makers mark or signature. Newly rewired with brown silk braided cord. Original dou...
Category

1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Directoire style round Table in solid cherry wood, white-cream lacquered
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our DIRECTOIRE collection, which takes up the Directoire style, very famous at the end of the 18th century in France. It is remarkable for its straight, classic...
Category

2010s French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

18th Century Directoire Period Fine French Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
A Brêche marble with white statuary marble inlay is a perfect combination for this vintage chimney piece. The carving is of an exceptional quality bui...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Statuary Marble

Pair of French Directoire Chest of Drawers / Side Tables
Located in Westport, CT
A beautiful pair of Directoire chests in solid walnut and comprised of three drawers with brass angular handles and shield-shaped escutcheons,...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Italian Desk In The Giuseppe Maggiolini Style - 20th Century
Located in RUEIL-MALMAISON, FR
Desk in precious wood and finely executed marquetry, inspired by the work of Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), a cabinetmaker renowned for his detailed neoclassical marquetry. Desk i...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Directoire style handcrafted striped Bonnetiere in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our MELANIE collection, which is a handmade modernized interpretation of this French Directoire style. The Directoire periode started at the end of the 18th cen...
Category

2010s French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Lacquer, Oak

Directoire Style Gallery Table Stand
Located in Houston, TX
1960s French Directoire style gallery table stand with a faux goatskin veneer, brass ormolu, gallery rails, and a single drawer.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French Directoire Style 19th Century Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut commode from the 19th century, with three drawers, grey marble top, brass accents and fluted posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Cast Bronze Olive Leaf Motif French Bagues Style Mirrored Side End Accent Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superbly crafted solid cast bronze and mirrored end table. The table is doen in the style of Maison Bagues and is in good condition. Dates to the 1970s era. Measures 25.75...
Category

1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Directoire Fruitwood Corner Cabinet with Inlay
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French solid fruitwood corner cabinet that will add a bit more storage space without taking up too much room. Hand-crafted in the 19th century around 1850, this is a wonderful find...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Directoire Style Cream Painted Gilt Polychromed Decorative Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Cream Painted and Gilt Polychromed Directoire Barometer  P. F. Bollenbach Barometer and Thermometer, 20th Century A stunning French-style cream-painted and gilt polychromed D...
Category

20th Century American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

French 19th Century Pair of Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Those pair of frame beds wears the original paint, the inside dimensions for a spring box are 35.75 x 74.5
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Writing Desk in Walnut with Inlay by Meroni & Fossati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian elegant early 20th century Directoire writing desk in walnut massive and veneered with inlay on the top by Meroni & Fossati. Wax polished Useful height under central drawer 60 cm. To better understand the Directoire style of this desk Directoire style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, minimal carving, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire. The Directoire style was primarily established by the architects and designers Charles Percier (1764–1838) and Pier François Léonard Fontaine (1762–1853). In its use of Neoclassical architectural form and decorative motifs the style anticipates the slightly later and more elaborate Empire style, which was introduced after Napoleon established the First French Empire. The Directoire style reflected the Revolutionary belief in the values of republican Rome: "The stoic virtues of Republican Rome were upheld as standards not merely for the arts but also for political behaviour and private morality. Conventionels saw themselves as antique...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Brass and Marble-Top Dining Table in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Brass and marble-top dining table in the style of Maison Jansen. Two brass pedestals supported by a stretcher with ram's head feet.
Category

1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Directoire Style Paint Decorated Two Drawer Baker Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Baker Furniture paint decorated dresser or commode. The piece has some minor signs of use and wear such as rings from cups a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Tuscan Direttorio Dormeuse, Daybed, Italia
Located in Prato, IT
Toscana, end of '700 beginning '800 In walnut Legs in the typical shape of the Tuscan direttorio with carved and gilded wood flower Restored Dimensions: cm L194 x D63 x H96 Sea...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Directoire Style 3-drawer lacquered console table in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Console is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless lines. This Console is made of solid French cherry wood. Its finish consists of black lacquered legs and white-cream lacquered drawers, shelf and top. This Console features 3 drawers with Louis XVI rings...
Category

2010s French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer

Fine French Country and Classy Antique Fireplace Surround in Limestone
Located in Beervelde, BE
Unusual limestone fireplace surround with remains of the old patina. The front has an Geometric Italian influence design. See the details of the refined carving. Measures: 131 cm E...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Limestone

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

18th Century Black Belgian Marble Arts And Crafts Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Fabulous 18th century Belgian antique fireplace surround. A small Black Belgian marble and Belgian Ardenne marble jewel in great condition. One of a kind original fireplace surround ...
Category

18th Century Belgian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble

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

Portor marble pedestal, France, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Portor marble pedestal in Directoire style. Portor marble is a rare and noble marble, used since Antiquity for its unique black color veined with a deep yellow. Exploited by King Lo...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century French Directoire Walnut Settee in Seaglass
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant early 19th-century French Directoire style settee, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid walnut, it showcases a naturally aged, characterful p...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Sophisticated French Directoire Style 1930s era French Vitrine Marble Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous, simple and yet sophisticated French-made Louis XVI or Directoire style cabinet. It features clean lines, and a gorgeous brass gallery and a white marble top. The ...
Category

1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara 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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