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.
to
153
553
228
712
77
8
197,971
114,856
42,972
32,818
16,219
11,922
10,678
10,505
9,811
8,962
7,249
6,741
6,501
6,450
6,130
5,716
4,883
3,766
174
232
306
85
57
150
53
10
5
11
7
28
55
26
18
12
5
541
346
169
159
124
653
544
64
57
52
797
729
762
11
6
3
3
2
Style: Directoire
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 Matching Directoire Style Ebonized Buffets with Original Marble Tops
Located in Chicago, IL
We were just sitting here, trying to remember the last time we had a genuine pair of matching Antique French Buffets, lets alone Directoire style French Buffets and in 25 years, we b...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
French Directoire Style Silver Leaf and Bronze Tall Pedestal
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Directoire Style Painted Accent Table with Slide
By Drexel
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
Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine and important center table with square shaped Egyptian porphyry veneered tabletop.
Base in walnut and ebonized wood of the Directoire period of the late 18th century, made with special care and 'original choice of the Radica and marquetry.
Provenance from an aristocratic family descendant of Parma.
Measurements: cm 120 x 120
This particular Imperial grade of porphyry came from a quarry in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.
The term "porphyry" is from Latin and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
Fine French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Directoire Marble Top Mirrored Vanity Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superbly crafted antique French Directoire style brass inlaid and bronze mounted secretaire desk or ladies vanity. The piece is perfect for paying bills or using as a makeup vanity...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
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
Directoire Style Brass & Black Marble 2-Tier Side Table, Style of Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Directoire Style Brass & Black Marble Two-Tier Side Table, in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Dimensions: 20.5" H to finials x 19" W x 15" D
Removable Black Marble/Stone Shelf dimensio...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Maison Jansen Attributed Bronze Mahogany and Leather Top Game Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular Maison Jansen Attributed games table with bronze mounts and brass details and a superb gold tooled embossed leather top. The table is strongly attributed to Mai...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Extraordinary Solid Bronze French Marble Top Directoire Sideboard with Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superbly crafted, one-of-a-kind solid bronze mirrored sideboard in teh Directoire style from France. The piece is in very good condition ...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
French Directoire Gold Giltwood Mirror with Original Mercury Glass 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
This exquisite French Directoire mirror, crafted in gold giltwood, features its original mercury glass, adding a touch of historical charm. Dating back to the 19th century, the mirro...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
French Directoire style desk in oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This computer desk is proposed here in solid oak from France and is also available in cherry.
A black leather desk pad equips the top.
The top is sli...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and marble coffee table. The table has a marble top with floral style bronze legs. Stamped made in France under one of the legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Portal of the Directoire Period
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Exceptional 18th Century French Mahogany Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 18th / early 19th century French mahogany stools. Ca 1800. Signed by Henry Jacob, master in Paris (1753 - 1824).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Maison Jansen Directoire Bronze Mounted 3 Drawer Mahogany Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, entirely original, stamped Maison Jansen commode in very good condition for its age. This 1940-50s era features gorgeous bronze ormolu and a beautiful slab of va...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Directory Cherry Wood Secetary Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directory era secretary desk, from the early 19th century, made of beautiful cherry wood, in a light tone with bronze handles and bronze keyholes as well. In their lower par...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Directoire Gilded Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Infuse your home with the refined elegance of the late 18th century with this exquisite 18th Century Directoire Mirror. A stunning exam...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Rare Flame Mahogany Bronze Mounted Leather Top Francois Linke Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Directoire Style Caned Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of Directoire style caned armchairs with swan heads. Cushion done in a whimsical fabric with different breeds of dogs in canopy beds, etc.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
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 19th Century Directoire Jardiniere
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Directoire Jardiniere is narrow and long and will be wonderful under a window. Very nice and simple line, it can match with any style of furniture.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Miniature Walnut Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
Early 19th Century walnut commode, the inlaid top with cookie corners over turned and fluted legs flanking three inlaid drawers and standing on turned turnip feet, French or Italian ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Fruitwood, Walnut, Pine
Vintage Directoire Neoclassical Console Hall Table Italian
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant vintage Italian brushed steel and brass console table in the manner of Maison Jansen. Item features a rectangular form with solid brass gallery, inset glass top, brushed stee...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
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
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
Eight walnut Direttorio chairs, Tuscany, Lucca circa 1795
Located in Prato, IT
Eight walnut Direttorio Chairs with banded backs and floral pattern carving.
Paws with carved frames typical of Lucca.
Entirely hand-sewn straw seat.
Tuscany, late 18th century
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
French Directoire Painted Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction that has been finished with a milk paint in the “Petite Trianon” dove gray color. There is b...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
French Directoire style handcrafted 6-Drawer Chiffonier in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Chiffonnier 6-drawer chest is a free hand crafted and modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable wi...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Pair of Antique Aprey French Faience Pottery Cachepots or Jardinieres
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French faience jardinieres or cachepots.
By Aprey.
Each with two painted scenes on either side. One has a man gardening and a woman carrying a breadbask...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Faience
French fruitwood marquetry top writing table, 1950’s
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Academic Revival rectangular bureau plat in the French Directoire taste. The fruitwood marquetry top is mounted on a conforming apron fitted with a divided long drawer. Each drawer f...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Late 18th-Early 19th Century Silver Coffee Pot, Italian-Trento
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Elongated, plain baluster form wit...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
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
19th Century French Neoclassical Fruitwood Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An exquisite, early 19th century Louis XVI two drawer Neoclassical commode in the Directoire style. The chest is adorned with original lion head pulls on each of the drawers, along w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Directoire Style 4-drawer Chest - Commode in solid oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This chest of drawers is part of the DIRECTOIRE collection, based on the world-renowned DIRECTOIRE style of the late 18th century in France.
This range is characterized by straight, ...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Sofa in Cherrywood
Located in Southampton, NJ
A French Directoire style solid Cherrywood sofa with subtle scrolled arms and tapered front / splayed back legs. A unique transitional sofa suitable for placement in a variety of set...
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Paint Decorated French Louis XVI Style Directoire Armchairs Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of French-made Directoire style or Louis XVI style armchairs with some form of moisture-proofed ipholstery that is not vinyl but some other form of waterproo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Original Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
Phenomenal fireplace surround from the free mason compagnon in bicolor burgundy hard stone. The carving is very fine and very unusual.
Measures:
142.5 cm EW 56.10",
112 cm EH...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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
18th Century Louis XVI Bedroom Bench or Daybed by George Jacob
Located in Richmond, London
A fine French late 18th century Klismos bench, of great colour and desirable generous proportions.
Stamped G.Jacob.
France, circa 1795.
Why we like it
A handsome, timeless design. With its curved sabre legs at either end, this bench relates to the ancient Greek 'Klismos' seats, often seen depicted on Attic pottery. Its superb quality, splendid patination and a recorded maker...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Custom Painted Bookcases Made in Our Old Plank Workshop in Any Dimension, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning pair of handmade solid wood bookcases, custom made for one of our designer clients. These bookcases are made to the highest standards here...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass, Paint
Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut Upholstered seat & Cane Back Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut with Upholstered seat with Cane Back Armchair in great vintage condition.
Measures 23" in width, 24" in depth and stands 36.5z" tall. Sea...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Pair of Late 18th Century French Chateau Doors
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of late 18th Century French Directoire period chateau internal double doors and frames.
(Dimensions are for each door).
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Style 3-Drawer Handcrafted Wooden Console Table
Located in Landivy, FR
This console table is a handmade reproduction of a console table from the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless lines ornamented with grooves, diamonds or rings.
This console table is made of solid cherry wood sourced in sustainably managed French forests.
The 3 drawers' fronts are assembled with dovetails for a better durability and feature 3 Louis XVI rings...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French 19th Century Painted Boiserie Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, newly repainted mirror of antique boiserie (wood paneling) from Rouen, France, originally carved in the late 1800s. This architectural trumeau is finished with narrow crown ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pine
French Directoire Period Side Table, oval shaped, around 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
This elegant oval side table, dating from the Directoire period around 1800, is crafted from solid walnut and features a beautiful marble top with a brass railing. In good original c...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Upholstered Bergères with Twisted Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire style painted wood bergères chairs from the 19th century with twisted columns and new custom upholstery. This elegant pair of French Directoire style berg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Round French Directoire Style Bronze Colored Steel Marble Top Gueridons
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This a beautiful pair of bronze hued steel marble top Directoire style gueridons. They are in the manner of Restoration Hardware. They each are in good used condition and have no maj...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
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.