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
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
$5,560 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800. The chairs have a subtle two-tone paint and have been upholstered in a raw silk-like material. The fabric on the seats and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Antique French Directoire Style Painted Cane Back Dining Side Chairs
Located in Birmingham, AL
A handsome set of 6 early 20th century French Directoire style painted dining side chairs, circa 1920s, having hand caned backs, upholstered seats with nailhead trim, and typical neo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Provencal Directoire Style Commodes
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Stylish pair of 1950's Italian fruitwood chests made in the French Provencal Directoire style. Nice clean construction, hand printed paper lined drawers highly detailed cast hardware...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Directoire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th Century French Directoire Period commode made of solid cherry wood with yellow pine as a secondary wood. Unusual form with serpentine sides. Rounded fluted front corner...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Quality 19th Century Bronze Mounted Directoire Jansen Style Marble Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular Maison Jansen style French-made Directoire commode in very good condition with its original finish and superbly cast bronze mounts. The commode has a gorgeous s...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb and very rare Directoire style brass mounted fluted floor lamp. The lamp is French and is in good antique condition. Measures 57.75 tall x 18.5 wide x 18.5 deep. Dat...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Baker Rosewood Directoire Style Brass Mounted Vanity Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 30 1/4 in W: 36 in D: 19 1/4 in
This Directoire style rosewood writing desk or vanity by Baker Furniture is a striking representation of neoclassical sophistication...
Category
20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gorgeous French Carved Beveled Glass Rectangular Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Beveled edge. Gilt. Ebonized. 48" h x 54" w x 3 7/8" d.
Condition
Scratches. Paint loss. Minor cracks in carving.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Custom Old Plank Directoire Inspired Ebonized Desk with Gilded Leather Top
Located in Chicago, IL
From our Old Plank collection of hand-crafted furniture is a French Directoire inspired desk built to your exact specifications; meaning, in any dimension, wood species, leather colo...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Solid Brass or Bronze Patinated Gueridons by Century Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of gueridons with etched mottled tops with a tortoise-shell style patina applied with acid to add interest to the tops and give them an antique appearance. Th...
Category
1990s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$3,196 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Directoire Commode In Mahogany With A Grey Marble Top
Located in Kent, Dover
A French mahogany, three drawer Directoire commode, with brass mounts and inlay and a shaped variegated pale grey marble top.
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1950s Italy Empire Bar Buffet, Servant Sideboard, by Federico Munari.
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant bar sideboard in walnut with maple interiors. Designed and produced by Munari ; with internal glass shelf and two drawers, all in vitrified and inlaid maple wood finish. Two ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Maple, 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
$11,000 / set
French Paint Decorated Directoire Petite Commode Jewelry Chest by Lewis Mittman
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Lewis Mittman 3-drawer petite commode with a distressed finish and ebonized accents.
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Metal Cabinet with Antique French Directoire Period Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
These Directoire period metal doors were once window shutters on an 18th century French chateau that now have been repurposed and made into doors for this cabinet which can lend itse...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Vintage Directoire Steel Floor Lamp with Feather Shade
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic floor lamp having a sleek Directoire steel base on 3 elegant legs and a handmade one of a kind shade dreamily adorned with authentic brown a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel
1950s Maison Jansen Bronze and Glass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen bronze and glass coffee table. Solid bronze with original glass.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine French Breche D' Alep Marble Top Faux Tambor Doors Directoire Sideboard
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
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Bronze
$7,996 Sale Price
20% Off
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Buffet
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Very interesting, small cabinet with inlay and brass. Elegant with a lot of character.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Jansen Inspired Custom Handcrafted Bookcase Made by Old Plank, in Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Jansen inspired custom bookcase, handmade in our Old Plank Workshop here in Chicago. Our craftsmen work to the highest standards to produce bespoke fur...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Measures 23" in width , 24" in width, 37.5" in height. Seat height is 19" and low arm height is 21".
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Silk
Pair of 18th Century Italian Directoire Painted and Parcel Gilt Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian Directoire painted and parcel gilt chairs.
This stunning pair of 18th century Italian Directoire chairs are pain...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Wood
French Directoire Walnut Corner Cupboard, ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A late 18th century French walnut corner cupboard with 2 doors, fluted column detail and ebonized moulding.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Fine Quality Maison Jansen Style Directoire Tall Dresser Wardrobe
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Jansen style. Gold leaf detail. Brass accents. Brass hardware. 2 distressed gold leaf doors. 4 dovetail drawers. Gilt accents. Measures: 57" h x 51 3/4" x 21" d.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,600 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Ebonised Three Drawer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A Louis XV ebonised, three drawer commode.
With marble top and brass gallery.
France, Circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Miniature French Directoire Style Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Directoire style miniature chest of drawers.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table by Claude Messier, 18th Century
By Claude Messier
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table
18th Century
By Claude Messier
Maitre 1792
Active in Paris at the end of the 18th Cen...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$33,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular St Ann gray and white marble top with rounded corners over a conforming case with three graduated brass mounted drawers with square brass bail handles , raised on ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Directoire Style Fruit Wood Coffee Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style fruit wood coffee table, 19th century. With an overhanging 3 board top, 3 frieze drawers with wood knobs, resting on square tapered legs. Mortise, tenon and ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$1,500 Sale Price
33% Off
Directoire French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France from the Directoire period. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. There are two dovetailed drawers at the top with wood pulls. Below, tw...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
French 18th-19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 18th-19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Copper
$13,850 Sale Price
60% Off
Directoire Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily cherry wood. It has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum qua...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,150
Single Brass and Steel Glass Top Guerdion or End Table Maison Jansen Style
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous brass and steel high quality Maison Jansen style gueridon or end table. The table is in the Directoire style and is in good condition and measures 25.5 wide x 25.5...
Category
1990s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Sycamore
Fine Quality French Dore' Bronze and Mahogany Directoire Dessert Tray Top Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous French Louis XVI or Directoire dessert table. It would have been used for eclairs or cream puffs, or for serving tea. The table features gorgeous dore' bronze ormo...
Category
1920s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,596 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Style Stainless Steel And Bronze Console Table
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Stainless Steel And Bronze Console Table.
Offered is an unusual French Maison Jansen Directoire style, Louis XVI style or Neoclassical style stainless steel c...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Stainless Steel
19th Century French Directoire Marble Top Mahogany Two-Tier Bouillotte Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This petite and tall antique two-tier table was crafted in France circa 1880. Standing on three tapered and fluted legs decorated with brass rings and ending twisted feet over a triangle form stretcher, the round bouillotte table is decorated with brass mounts, over the legs and around the apron; the table features a central shelf with marquetry decor and brass gallery, supported with curved legs, and embellished with floral rosette medallions. The upper shelf decorated with intricate foliage brass mounts around the the apron, is dressed with a circular variegated green marble top embellished with a decorative pierced brass gallery rim. The feminine étagère is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina, and delicate polished brass mounts. Versatile and practical, use this petite gueridon...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$1,580 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Four Directoire Mahogany Armchairs by Jacob Freres
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each upholstered backrest with backscrolled top rail above an upholstered seat flanked by arm rests, raised on ring-turned legs; each stamped JACOB FRERES / RUE MESLEE on back rail, three with old inked inscription M Julien...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Directoire Style Midcentury Giltwood Stools with New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage Directoire style giltwood stools from the mid 20th century with carved rosettes, fluted accents, saber legs and new linen upholstery. This handsome pair of F...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Giltwood
Directoire Style Bronze And Burl Walnut Guéridon
Located in Essex, MA
Circular inset black granite top with metal banded edge and three faux bamboo cluster column supports joining a lower tripartite stretcher. Ending on bronze capped saber legs.
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Bronze
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 Dark Green and Gilt Painted Vine Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (l8th /19th Century) dark green painted trumeau / wall mirror with gilt vinework decorated frame.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Wrought Iron Bench
Located in New York, NY
Brown-burgundy leatherette top with a decorative wrought iron and brass frame.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century Giltwood Barometer "Selon Toricelli"
Located in Madrid, ES
Barometer end of the 18th century, Directorie, in carved and gilded wood, by Selon Toriceli, with allegory music wing on the top, beautiful patina, and decorative barometer...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,754 Sale Price
48% Off
Custom Made Old Plank Directoire Style Bookcase in Stock Floor Model Reduced
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade Country French style glazed bookcase, display cabinet or china cabinet. Our Directoire style bookcase or china cabinet was hand-crafted right here in our Old Plank workshop....
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid Century Italian Flip Top Walnut & Marquetry Inlay Square Coffee Side Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century flip top marquetry coffee table. Made in Italy featuring square or rectangular form with floral and geometric matchbook inlays, central medallion and serpentine X ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Style Thick Marble-Top Coffee Table With Matching Faux Marble Base
Located in Manhasset, NY
A beautiful marble-top coffee table with matching faux marble base. The coffee table is in a Directoire style, attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Style Demilune Consoles
Located in Austin, TX
This pair of French Directoire-style demilune consoles is a truly unique and stunning addition to any home. Handcrafted in our atelier in France, these consoles were created by rethinking a 19th-century Directoire-style round dining table and transforming it into two matching demilunes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$3,300 Sale Price
20% Off
1960s Montgolfier Tole Toleware Chandelier (Two Available)
Located in London, GB
1960s Montgolfier tole chandelier (two available).
Gorgeous hand-painted, three-arm Italian ceiling light based on the Montgolfier Brothers' hot-air balloon design. Decorated in the...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$16,891 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Gorgeous Oval Steel and Glass Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous coffee table in the style of the French company Maison Bagues who made some beautiful faux bamboo coffee tables just like this one. The finish appears to be silver...
Category
1980s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Of Directoire Armchairs In White Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Directore armchairs in lacquered wood bench, trapezoidal backrest and jacob style legs, Seats covered with a beautiful bottle gr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
The Consulat style is a subset of the Directoire period, coinciding with the initial consolidation of power by Napoleon Bonaparte (roughly 1799-1804). Both historically and culturall...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
$1,356 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Maison Jansen Style Chrome and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen French style coffee table. Table has X-stretcher to the sides, with brass and chrome frame. Top and bottom tiers have two pairs...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Sober, 18th Century French Provincial Country Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
An expandable French country dining table from the Directoire period (1795-1803) that combines warmth with sobriety with it's chic tapered legs and stretchers. Two pullout leaves and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
French Revolving Dumb Waiter with a Faux Bois Finish and Bronze Fittings
Located in Dallas, TX
A French revolving dumb waiter, dessert table with a painted wood finish and bronze fittings. An applied letter in French on second shelf stating the quality of the table. this Faux ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
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.