Directoire Furniture
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.
1950s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Composition
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Rush, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Argentine Directoire Furniture
Silver Leaf
This exceptional pair of antique French cast iron vases originates from the heart of Paris, France. Crafted during the Directoire period (1770–1790), these urns showcase the elegance and craftsmanship of the era. The beautiful patina adorning the cast iron speaks to their historical authenticity. These timeless antiques are a testament to both functional design and aesthetic appeal from a celebrated period in European history.
The Rich Heritage of Antique UrnsThroughout history, antique urns and vases have been cherished across Europe for their exquisite craftsmanship and multifaceted functionality. Often serving as symbols of status and artistry, they were used to adorn gardens, courtyards, and stately homes. Made by skilled artisans, these pieces combined durability with intricate design, ensuring they could withstand the elements while remaining visually captivating. Today, their historical value and timeless appeal make them sought-after garden antiques.
Transforming Spaces with Antique UrnsThese antique garden planters...
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Cherry, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 2000s Unknown Directoire Furniture
Marble, Steel
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Walnut
1980s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Steel
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Brass, Steel
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Fruitwood
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Wood
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Suede
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Bronze, Iron
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Walnut
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Cherry
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Brass, Steel
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Brass
1920s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Bronze
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Brass
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Directoire Furniture
Bone, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Birch
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Linen, Oak, Paint
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Bronze, Iron
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Marble, Brass