19th Century Italian Directoire Demilune Console
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Italian walnut or marble demilune console.
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.
19th Century Italian Directoire Demilune Console
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Italian walnut or marble demilune console.
$6,294 / set
Directoire Side Chairs (Sets of 2)
Located in Westwood, NJ
Large mahogany side chairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French original. Dimensions: 23" W...
Wood
French Carved Walnut Panel Commemorating The French Revolution
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly made to be used as a model or mold to cast an iron fireback. Depicting the Bastille and a woman with the sword and the scales. Also cannons, flags, cannon balls.
Walnut
French Bleached Mahogany Directoire’ Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
The French Bleached Mahogany Directoire' Commode is an antique piece of furniture that adds a touch of elegance and history to any room. With its classic design and use of high-quali...
Marble
Directoire Period Oxblood Salon Suite w/ Saber Legs and Scrolled Backs, Late 18C
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable salon suite from the Directoire period (circa late 18th century) includes a finely crafted small sofa paired with two matching chairs, embodying the restrained elegan...
Wood
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...
Metal
Antique French Directoire Glazed Cabinet with Crossed Water-Gilded Arrows
Located in Highwood, 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...
Gold
$15,000 / set
Pair of Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ewers
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the neoclassical taste, the open reeded spouts above ovoid bodies with leaf-clasped socles on square bases, the handles terminating in a female mask. This pair of ewers...
Bronze
Extremely Rare French "Directoire" Style Bibliothque (Bookcase)
Located in Middleburg, VA
Extremely Rare French "Directoire" Style Bibliothque (Bookcase). Made of extraordinary "Burled Yew Wood" with a rich golden color and lustrous patina. A simple cornice over two glazed cabinet doors and two lower cupboards. Elegant proportions are emphasized by the figured wood. Made in the West of France, circa 1820. 82" High 63" Wide 18.75" Deep A handsome and well-proportioned French Directoire style Bibliotheque, crafted circa 1820 in the west of France. This two-part bookcase is constructed from richly figured burled yew wood, showcasing exceptional grain patterning and a warm, honey-toned finish that enhances its refined silhouette. The upper section features original glass-paneled doors with elegant molded framing and carved corners, opening to reveal three spacious shelves backed with a patterned textile, perfect for displaying books or decorative objects. The lower cabinet offers closed storage with paneled doors and retains its original hardware and working locks with decorative key tassels...
Metal, Iron
$7,200Sale Price|40% Off
Maison Jansen Rare Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk, France, 1950s, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen rare signed Directoire-style silver-leaf settee with antiqued finish and black raw silk upholstery, France, 1950s. Exceptionally elegant and beautifully proportioned, t...
Silk, Wood
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 ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Ebonized Directoire Buffet, Cherry Wood & Brass Hardware, France, 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Directoire style. This piece is circa 1910. It is made of solid wood construction, primarily cherry-wood. There are four doors that feature detailed brass h...
Brass
Directoire Mahogany And Brass Mounted Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular white marble top with rounded corners over a conforming case with three smaller top drawers over two long drawers each with brass moldings...
Marble, Brass
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 ...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Quality Maison Jansen Style Directoire Tall Dresser Wardrobe
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style Directoire tall dresser wardrobe exemplifies the refined elegance and superior craftsmanship for which the renowned Parisian design house is celebrated. Insp...
Brass
$3,032Sale Price|20% Off
French 18th Century Classicistical Directoire Trumeau/Mirror in White/Gold Paint
Located in Salzburg, AT
French, Classic Directoire Trumeau 18th century gold / white Very fine representation of an antique chariot with handlebar. Framed with pearl frieze ...
Mercury Glass, Wood
French Demi Lune Console Table, Directoire Period (1790–1800) in Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
French Demi Lune Console Table, Directoire Period (1790–1800) in Mahogany with Marble Top This elegant French demi lune console table dates from the Directoire period, circa 1790–180...
Mahogany
Walnut Panetière Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare walnut panetière from the beginning of the 19th century This piece of furniture were used in the past to store the bread in the south of France. Provence region Very...
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretaire with Fall-Front Desk Top
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th Century Swedish secretaire with fall-front desk top. This style of desk was very popular in the 18th and 19th century in Sweden. It offers an ingenious array of storage pos...
Pine
Set of Eight French Directoire Style Dining Chairs, C. 1950
Located in Houston, TX
A refined set of eight French Directoire style dining chairs, dating to circa 1950, distinguished by their elegant tapered backs and restrained neoclassical lines. Each chair feature...
Walnut
18th Century Original French Country Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
Very unusual French Provençal rustic fireplace surround in bicolor hard stone. The out of real live, chicken detail on the front refers to t...
Stone
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed. Original fabric.
Brass, Steel
Circa 1930s French Directoire Style Small Buffet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930s French Directoire style small buffet. Walnut. Single drawers with 3 faux drawer facings over cabinet doors. Brass moldings throughout. Outset corner columns are fluted, e...
Walnut
French Directoire Style Iron and Crystal Chandelier with Blue Crystal Feathers
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire style iron and crystal chandelier with blue feather shaped crystals. This chandelier is very decorative and a nice scale.
Crystal, Iron
Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic and understatedly elegant set of four Directoire-style rectangular walnut mirrors, from the 1940s. The corners are embellished with a simple diamond-shape ebonized wood cabochon...
Wood, Walnut
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on balust...
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
Set of Four French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine set of four late 18thC period Directoire painted side chairs. Each chair has a different carved back splat painted black and in the full neo-classic taste including a dolphin...
Wood
Pair of Russian Gilt Figural and Ebonized Marble Top Pedestals, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Russian Gilt figural and ebonized marble top pedestals terminating on tripod winged hoof feet. Late 18th Century
Marble, Ormolu
Small Directoire Cylinder Desk In Mahogany
Located in Kent, Dover
A small French Directoire mahogany cylinder desk, with brass detailing throughout. The roll top hiding a witing slope with a tooled leather top and two drawers. Above, a marble galle...
Marble, Brass
Table Game French Directoire 19th Century Mahogany Leather Black France
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary game table from the Directoire period made in France. Frame made of mahogany in a beautiful cognac brown shade. Apron divided into rectangular parts of brass and bra...
Brass
French Directoire Style oval Table in Cherry with 2 extensions, from France
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
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...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
$14,000 / set
1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
$3,950 / set
Pair of Jansen Directoire' Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Wood
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. Some scratches to the glass.
Brass
$25,000 / set
Pair of French Directoire Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
These delicately proportioned 18th-century fauteuil armchairs exemplify the French Directoire style, each with a barreled back, and rosette finials a...
$17,058Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Walnut
French Directoire Grey Painted Sofa Turned Fluted Legs circa 1795 New Upholstery
Located in Epfach, DE
A handsome French Directoire sofa, circa 1800, its grey painted frame embodying the restrained elegance that marked the transition from Louis XVI refinement to Empire severity. The s...
Fabric, Wood
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.
Granite, Bronze
Chateau Sized French Directoire Dining Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant French Directoire oval dining table in mahogany with a gilt brass molded edge. The table is raised on six finely tapered square section legs ending in original brass box ...
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
Walnut
Portal of the Directoire Period, Early 19th Century
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 ...
Wrought Iron
$3,980Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Directoire Commode by Emile Noël Malle, France, 1795
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Elegant Louis XVI period sauteuse commode, opening with two superimposed drawers and raised on four slender, straight and slightly tapered legs. The piece is entirely veneered in fi...
Marble
$6,890Sale Price|29% Off
Swedish Late 18th Century Gustavian Period Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
An elegant and sober late 18th century/very early 19th century Swedish dresser or chest of drawers of good proportion and handsome appearance. Late Gustavian pieces are reminiscent o...
French Directoire Style Coffee Table in solid oak wood
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This coffee table 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....
Wood, Cherry
Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble (Rosso Levanto) Mantel Clock. 19th Century. movement stamped 1075. Measures: height 16 1/2" x width 18" x depth 5 1/2" C...
Marble, Bronze
French 18th Century Commode Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This beautiful Commode secretaire is made of flamed mahogany with a black marble top.
Marble
Large Directoire Mahogany Jardinière by Jacob Freres
By Jacob Frères
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of rectangular shape, with a tôle liner and bronze gallery and raised on an integral plinth with wooden roulettes, stamped to one side on the interior JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE. Jacob ...
Mahogany
17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Fine 17th century table with two extensions coming from Switzerland This uncommun extension table has a very beautiful base with Fine carvings and t...
Wood
$4,240Sale Price|20% Off
Directoire Console Table, France, circa 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire console table, France, circa 1800. This Classic Directoire French console table has a beautiful mahogany veneer. The brass fittings are original. The marble top is framed ...
Mahogany
Pair of 18th Century Italian Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Handsome pair of 18th Century Italian demi-lune consoles. Of blond walnut construction with hand-carved legs, hand-carved stretchers and a beautiful patina to the tops.
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Mahogany Drop Leaf Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century French directoire period mahogany drop leaf table is a fine example of French craftsmanship melded with practicality! When closed, this piece makes a great sofa ta...
Mahogany
French Directoire Style Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire style pedestal. Pedestal has a white marble top with a steel and decorative brass frame.
Marble, Brass, Steel
$32,000 / set
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...
Birch
Fantastic Baker Furniture Company Directore Jansen Style Mahogany Brass Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Baker 1950s commode with the styling of Maison Jansen is absolutely quintessential Baker of the 1950s and is in good vintage condition. The brass ormolu and beauti...
Brass
French Bronze and Onyx Side Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and onyx side table. The table has an ornate frame with an onyx top.
Onyx, Bronze
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...
Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Painted Demi-Lune Console Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and exceptionally versatile, this pair of antique demi-lune console tables was crafted in northern France circa 1880 in the restrained neoclassical Directoire style. Each half-moon table features a molded wooden top above a gently curved apron enriched with carved diamond-shaped reserves centered by floral rosettes. Vertical panels decorated with stylized leaf motifs divide the apron, while a delicate dentil border beneath the top adds architectural definition. The consoles stand on four slender, tapered legs with ring-turned details and petite feet, creating a refined silhouette that is both graceful and visually light. A layered, timeworn painted finish in soft gray and off-white tones highlights the carvings and gives the tables an authentic aged patina. Designed as a complementary pair, the tables may be positioned separately as narrow entry consoles...
Oak, Paint
French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very rare Directoire period four poster bed. Headboard and footboard are original - including paint. The tops curve gracefully outward. The friezes at either end feature beaut...
Wood
$6,716Sale Price / set|25% Off
Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet
By Jean François Janinet
Located in Paris, FR
Suite of 5 Directoire-period etchings and aquatint engravings depicting scenes from antiquity, after drawings by Jean-Guillaume MOITTE (1746-1810), author, and by the engraver Jean F...
Paper
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...
Mahogany