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.
3
771
64
10
to
72
600
225
845
796
815
191,926
115,700
41,400
31,978
15,023
11,464
10,265
10,157
9,411
8,655
7,222
7,125
6,234
5,829
5,547
5,138
4,622
3,528
176
267
328
74
71
156
53
7
4
12
7
36
59
25
18
13
8
592
351
173
167
146
700
571
66
45
41
20
3
3
2
2
Style: Directoire
Fine Quaity Walnut French Louis XVI Directoire Brass Trimmed Marble Top Dresser
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
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Tall Brass Mounted Mahogany Directoire Louis XVI Style Dresser Semanier
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
1960s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Directoire Style French Mahogany and Marble Top Stand Circa 1910
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Louis XVI Style French Marble Top Stand is made of the highest quality and is truly remarkable! Although small this little stand/end table packs a punch! and will most definitel...
Category
1910s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Pair of French Late 19th Century Directoire Style Demilune Console Tables
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of French Late 19th/Early 20th Century Directoire Style Demilune Console Tables
Each console table of demilune shape with four feet ending in gilt-bronze sabots which carry the stretcher at the lower part of the console. Four slender fluted columns standing on the stretcher support the table top which holds one frieze drawer. The frieze drawer with neoclassical gilt-bronze ring handles and Louis XVI style key hole decoration. Only one of the drawers consists of a lock and its key. Each console table is topped by a mottled grey marble slab which is surrounded by a pierced gilt-bronze gallery.
The design of the pair of Directoire console...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Louis XVI Directoire Style Marble Top Sideboard Buffett By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 35 1/2in W: 104in D: 21 1/4in
This French Louis XVI Directoire Style Marble Top Sideboard Buffett By Maison Jansen is made of the highest quality and is bound to brin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Directoire Walnut End Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Directoire walnut 3 drawer chest of drawers / end table, early 19th century. With a two board rectangular top with thumb molded borders, 3 drawers ea...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Directoire Style Bouillotte Side Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Style Bouillotte Side Table with carrara Marble is perfect for a cozy seating group with a carefree yet elegant marble top that allows one to place cold dri...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This amazing pair of Louis XVI / Directoire period candelabra are of the finest quality.
The figures are modeled as Roman Vestal Virgins issuing three scrolling acanthus leaf candle ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French bronze mounted leather top writing desk / tric trac table
Located in Charleston, SC
19th Century French bronze mounted leather top writing desk / tric trac table featuring a removable top that has an inset tooled leather desk on one side and a baize lined card playi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Carved Painted Demilune Console Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entryway with this elegant pair of antique painted consoles. Crafted in northern France, circa 1880 and shaped as half moon, each style table stands on four tapered and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Paint
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Centre Table, Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Directoire Mahogany Centre Table ~ Dining Table is a sublimely elegant expression of the style that was born during the lifetime of Napoleon Bonaparte, emphasizin...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair French Directoire Louis XVI White Painted Mirrored Gueridons End Tables
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
1960s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fantastic Pair of French Marble Top Bouillotte Tables with Brass Trim circa 1940
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
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Directoire Period Grey Chairs with White Velvet Seats
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of painted beechwood chairs showcases the elegance and artistry of the Directoire period (1795-1799). The chairs feature a captivating openwork back adorned with ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
French Directoire Style Light Blue Painted Marble Top Dresser Semanie
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
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces
By David Duncan
Located in New York, NY
A directoire-inspired hand-carved, diamond shaped backplate in mahogany available with wood, painted or guilt finishes. The eight point star-shaped backplate designed for single or d...
Category
2010s Directoire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
French Directoire Crackle Lacquer Gueridon Swan Pedestal Table Sculpture Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Stately French Directoire and Empire inspired Pedestal or Sculpture Stand. Made from hardwood with a crackle lacquer finish. Features three intricate downswept swan supports leading to an acanthus scrolled foot over a tripod base. Finish is a reddish brown with black crackle lines. The tables large stature allows for use as a pub bar table...
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
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
Beautiful Maison Jansen Style French Directoire Creme Painted X Bench Circa 1960
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 deliv...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Round Giltwood and Ebonized Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful ebonized and gilded wall mirror in the directoire taste. The mirror measures 33.25 x 33.25 x 4.5 deep.
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
French Directoire Mahogany and Glass 3 Panel Screen
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire 3-panel mahogany screen with applied carved molding and small rosettes below 9 pane glass windows in each panel.
Each panel 17.75" W. Wear to finish, one glass ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Glass
Antique French Directoire Mahogany Banquet Table with 3 Leaves
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Mahogany Banquet Table with 3 Leaves will make a splendid addition to your entertaining, providing the versatility of an exquisitely understated elegance in...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th C. Directoire Style Painted and Floral Crewelwork Upholstered Bregere
Located in Morristown, NJ
Mid 20th C. Directoire style crewelwork bergere with a cream painted wood frame decorated with bands of carved rope and draped swags. The crewelwork upholstery is accented with a com...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
18th Century Baguette Gilded Directoire Mirror with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Located in Washington, DC
The frame is in good condition and the Acanthus Leaf Details on the inner frame is very special. The gilt is over Sienna Bole. The Mirror itself is cloudy.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Directoire Trumeau Mirror with a Painted Green, Purple and Gold Finish.
Located in Dallas, TX
A small scale French Directoire trumeau mirror with a gilded and painted green, purple and gold finish. This Etruscan style mirror, depicting Phaedrus is a lovey size and has wonder...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Directoire Provincial Fruitwood Buffet
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top over a long center drawer flanked by a pair of drawers over a pair of cabinet doors flanked by doors. Fluted canted corners. Raised on circular tapered legs. From a H...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Style Cylinder Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 42 3/4in W: 36 1/2in D: 20 3/4in
This antique 18th century French Directoire style cylinder desk is made of the highest quality and is perfect for you and your home!...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maison Jansen Style Directoire Chromed Steel Console Table with Smoked Glass
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
Brass, Steel
Sophisticated French Directoire Marble Top Brass Bound Ebonized Side End Table
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
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Paint Decorated Faux Bamboo Style Triple Dresser, circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. 9 drawers. Painted. Faux bamboo. Metal hardware. 33 1/2" h x 80 7/8" w x 22 3/8" d.
Condition
Scratches. Finish loss. Paint loss. One drawer's hardware missing screw.
Dimens...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Trumeau Mirror carved wood 19th century
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
"Trumeau Mirror Hunting Carved Wood 19th"
Very pretty Trumeau in wood carved with hunting attributes in high relief. Decorated with oak branches, rifle, saber, bugle and game bag rev...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair Directoire Marquise 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, in addition to their beauty, speak ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood, Down
Ebonized Baker French Directoire Gilded Commode Console Cabinet
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
1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Set of 8 French Directoire Style Mid-Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 8 French directoire style mid-century mahogany dining chairs are perfect for providing tailored, stylish comfort to your dining experience! Generous seats are taller than norm...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
rare Olivewood side table with decorative hardware.
Located in Bronx, NY
This wonderful french side table is wonderfully craffed with details and moulures to add class and elegance. The bale is made of rare olive wood with an impressive patern on the top....
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style dark grey iron paneled fireplace screen with X frame panels centered with gold rosettes and raised on paw feet.
Dimensions
38" W x 9" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Italian Directoire 19th Century Walnut Bedside Table with Two Veneered Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Directoire period walnut bedside table from the 19th century, with two drawers, butterfly veneer on the façade, brass hardware, shield shaped escutcheons and tapered legs....
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Monumental French Mirrored Louis XVI Directoire Armoire Curca 1890s
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 deliv...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 40 1/4in W: 28 1/4in D: 1in
This French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror is truly exceptional! If you take a look at the photos provided you'll see the exceptional attention to detail within the carved gilt frame. One dead give away that this piece is quality is by looking at the beveled mirror. Beveled mirror is much more expensive than plain mirror lower end furniture companies did not bother to put higher end materials into their product as it would cost them more money. This mirror is perfect to be used as a vanity mirror, Bathroom Mirror, Bedroom mirror, entryway mirror, or kitchen mirror...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Composition
19th Century, French Directoire Mahogany Marble Top End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Marble Top End Table combines the tailored elegance of the Directoire style with the finest mate...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
Pair Directoire Carved Draper Era x Benches
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
1950s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Directoire Buffet Sideboard Serving Table, 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique French Directoire ormolu mounted flame mahogany marble topped buffet, dating from Circa 1840.
It features a striking serpentine galleried inset white Carrara marble top above a decorative panelled frieze. This is above two open undertiers supported by ormolu mounted fluted columns.
The cabinet is raised on reeded toupie feet that terminate in ormolu sabots.
Add a touch of elegance to a special room in your home with this superb antique serving table...
Category
1840s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair Directoire Bronze Mounted Figural Marble Top Kingwood Nightstands Commodes
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
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set or Pair of Italian Neoclassical Directoire Fruitwood Klismos Side Chairs
Located in Nashville, TN
In leopard or cheetah velvet. Both in hand carved and peg constructed. Directoire frames and of slight Klismos form. Pretty well untouched (other than new leo...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
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
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining chairs. The chairs have iron frames, are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and brass ball feet. The chairs also have sloping arms and fold...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
French Directoire 19th Century Walnut Enfilade with Cross Banded Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut enfilade from the 19th century, with three drawers over three doors, cross-banded diamond motifs and tapered feet. Created in France during the 19th ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Directoire Dining Chairs, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Set of six antique chairs
France
mahogany
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 88 x 47 x 44 cm, seat height: 48 cm
Description:
Set o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Directoire Solid Mahogany Dining Table, Exquisite Bronze Details
Located in Chicago, IL
On first glance, one might misinterpret this mahogany dining table as just another 1940’s-1960’s veneer mahogany Louis XVI style French dining table. On closer inspection, you will s...
Category
1870s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Directoire Bergere
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Directoire Bergere.
This stunning 18th century period French Directoire bergère is the perfect side chair, desk cha...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Steel, Brass
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Flower Button
Black Lacquered China Cabinet
Antique Wooden Lock
Black Lacquer China Cabinet
Brass Display Shelf
Brass Shelf Display
Campaign Style Cabinet
Burled Walnut Cabinets
Black Glass Display Case
Vintage Receipt
Wooden Display Case
Zenith Used
Charms Golden
Vintage 90S Patterns
Vintage Glass Panel Door
Black Gold Rug
Wooden Cabinet Pulls
Vintage Glass Panel Doors