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 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.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Green and Black Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table with this elegant antique tole lamp. Crafted in France circa 1840, the light fixture with new wiring sits on a square base over a ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
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
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire mahogany Commode exudes the understated elegance for which the style is world renowned! Crafted from exotic mahogany imported from the Americas during ...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Furniture
$6,890 Sale Price
29% Off
Late 18th Century Mahogany Directoire Server
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Original condition with a beautiful natural patina.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Gilded Iron Corner Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French gilded iron corner tables. Two-tiered glass tops.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$7,650 / set
19th C. French Directoire Trumeau Mirror, 7 Ft Tall
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style trumeau mirror from the 19th century. This antique mirror from France features a classic trumeau design with woode...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Maison Jansen Rare Stamped Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and elegant Directoire style silver leaf settee with black raw silk upholstery on tufted back, seat and padded arms, France, 1950s. This settee was likely designed as a spe...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
Brass and Marble-Top Dining Table in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Brass and marble-top dining table in the style of Maison Jansen. Two brass pedestals supported by a stretcher with ram's head feet.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
$1,196 Sale Price
27% Off
Early 19th Century French Three Drawer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant French commode, called a "Sauteuse" because of it's shapely, long legs ready to spring forth!
Original ebonised finish with decorative brass drawer handles and escutcheons...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Directoire Chairs, Western, France, 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Charming pair of Directoire chairs, Western France, Strassburg region 1810-1820, cherrywood. The chairs are in very good condition with a new...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$1,700 Sale Price / set
22% Off
LATE 18th CENTURY SIX DIRECTOIRE WALNUT CHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant set of six chairs in solid carved walnut, embellished with original fabric with plant embroidery in shades of gold, green, and pink. The chairs are distinguished by their cur...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
$4,543 / set
American Ivory Painted Upholstered Swan French Style Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
American ivory painted upholstered swan French Directoire style armchair.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$3,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Style Athenienne Stand in Gilt Bronze and Porcelain, 1900 Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style athenienne stand table in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a tripod fluted and tapered support on lion’s paw feet. They’re joined bottom by a concave stretcher f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Directoire canapé sofa, 18th century, Tassinari & Chatel silk
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful lacquered canapé, fine late 18th century Parisian production circa 1795 (Directoire period).
Finely carved ribs and roses patterns, beautiful proportions. A high range prod...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of Directoire period gilt and patinated bronze and black and white marble candelabras. They present a decoration of winged sphinxes in patinated bronze carrying on their heads...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilded and sculpted bronze candelabra with four branches each. The branches curve to form trumpets and foliated scrollwork on one end and sockets on the other end. The socket...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
1920's Tole Bouillotte Lamp in Yellow
Located in Sarasota, FL
A striking yellow tole bouillotte table lamp circa 1920. A central column supports two arm brackets with simple conical capitals. Above is the oval shade, decorated on top with a pie...
Category
Early 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century
A pair of classic and characteristic candlesticks in hallmarked silver from Central Europe, dating from the la...
Category
1790s European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period
A beautifully crafted walnut gueridon features a red, white and grey variegated marble set into a turned moulded frame.
The frieze...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$1,242 Sale Price
30% Off
Black and Gold Directoire Tole Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking vintage gold and black tole chandelier with four lights, featuring flared metal shades and dates back to the mid - 20th Century. The fixture is hand painted with delicate ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Tin
Pair of Baker Furniture Company Rosewood Directoire End Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Baker Furniture Company Rosewood Directoire End Tables exemplifies the craftsmanship and timeless elegance for which Baker is renowned. Beautifully constructed with rich...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French candlesticks in a wonderful condition. White marble mounted with bronze ornaments. The quality of the castings and chiseling is high. the design is romantic and beau...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$1,376 Sale Price / set
24% Off
Unusual Antique Silver Inkwell & Document Box
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Silver Inkwell & Document Box. No apparent hallmarks so we are assuming this is silver plate.
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Early 1800s French Directoire Commode in Bleached Walnut with Black Stone Top
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon…
The highly rectilinear form of this commode, coupled with minimalistic carvings, is indicative of the French Directoire style. Dating to the early 180...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Metal, 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
Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant Directoire style round coffee table. The table is raised on tapered cast aluminum legs with ring detail. The cast iron apron is adorned with X-shape and star motifs and has traces of original paint. Grey stone top. Unique piece. One of the earliest examples of cast aluminum furniture.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Period French Directoire Mahogany Cannape in Gold Empire Silk Fabric
By Adam Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic Directoire mahogany cannape with lion's head arm supports and paw feet, accented by Empire ormolu mounts and upholstered in gold Empire style silk yellow fabric.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Directoire Period Country French Whitewashed Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Directoire Period Country French Whitewashed Buffet is a splendid example of the tailored architecture made popular just before and after the turn of the 19th century. ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Neoclassical Directoire Scrolled Iron Outdoor Plank Top Dining Table 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
A nice blend of Neoclassical, Directoire and Farmhouse styling in this beautiful outdoor table. Made of iron featuring scrolled accents and pine plank top.
Dimensions:
72" x 34" x 29"h
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,750 Sale Price
30% Off
French 19th Century Directoire St. Cherry Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely attractive and elegant French 19th century Directoire st. cherry and ebonized fruitwood inlaid buffet. The buffet is raised by eight square tapered legs with conforming ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
A Directoire Marble Pastry Table - All Original
Located in Washington, DC
A Directoire Marble Pastry Table with bronze and cast iron base. Original Top.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Iron
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
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
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...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,950 / set
French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion
Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,880 Sale Price
40% Off
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Anatolian Eclectic Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Runner with an unusual motif and colors.
1'9'' x 10'4''
Category
20th Century Turkish Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wool
White Marble Small Size Brass and Walnut Maison Jansen Style Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Directoire style console table, crafted in Italy and inspired by Maison Jansen, radiates refined neoclassical elegance. The table features a beautiful white mar...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Directoire Period Painted Armchairs after a Model by Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Directoire period: gray painted armchairs after a model by Jacob Desmalter . France: circa 1800 Seat height: 17 in.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
$1,260 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Directoire Style Bronze Tables with Pietra Dura Marble Top, French
Located in El Monte, CA
Outstanding pair of French Directoire style bronze round tables with semi precious gemstone (malachite, lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, etc.) inlaid ...
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Marble, Bronze
Directoire Style Ebonized Fruitwood Oblong Pedestals, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair directoire style ebonized fruitwood oblong pedestals.
Measure 15 inches in width, 12 inches in depth and stand 47 inches tall.
Category
1940s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Baker Furniture Company Tambor Door Gentleman's Dresser Tall Chest Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Baker Furniture Company tambour door gentleman’s dresser tall chest, circa 1960s, exemplifies the timeless quality and craftsmanship for which Baker is renowned. Constructed fro...
Category
1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Sophisticated French Directoire Style 1930s era French Vitrine Marble Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This sophisticated French Directoire style vitrine from the 1930s exudes refined elegance and timeless charm, making it an exceptional addition to any interior. Crafted with meticulo...
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
$2,636 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Style oval Table in Cherry with 2 extensions, from France
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 Directoire Style Cherry Wood Stained Coffee Table
Located in Landivy, FR
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.
Its classical finish is made with Cherry stains, PU lacquer, and a satin varnish.
This Coffee Table features one central drawer topped with a Louis XVI ring...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive French 18th century Directoire period mahogany and Brèche marble tilt top side table. The table is raised by three elegantly scrolled legs with their original caste...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire Style Patinated Étagères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Directoire style patinated etageres. Each display shelf is raised by topie shaped feet and has five tiers with dentil borders. The sides display a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful 18th-century Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, internal drawers, and hidden compartment – tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s
Some pieces of furniture carry their ...
Category
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire-Style Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Chicago, US
Directoire/Napoleon III style desk composed of one large center and two side dovetailed drawers. The right drawer has a divided back section with an inset tray and a horizontal panel...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 pistachio green color. There is gold leaf tr...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
French Directoire Period Side Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Directoire period side table made of mahogany. The tabletop is finished with a beveled edge and has a protective glass cover. Below, a single drawer is hand dovetailed and o...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
Jules Cantini Jaspe Du Var Rose Marble Fireplace For High-End Design Decor
Located in Beervelde, BE
Phenomenal mantel from Jules Cantini. The marble is called the Jaspe Du Var Rose. In the right panel you see a seal from the world known Jules Cantini workhouse. The Cantini museum i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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.
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