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.
Mid-20th Century Directoire Nightstand in Walnut, Restored and Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-20th century Directoire style cabinet with drawers, nightstand, in walnut, restored and polished to wax Measure cm: H 65 x W 54 x D 37.
Walnut
Antique French Side Table, Cherry Wood with Hand Painted Finish, 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Side table, French, made of cherry wood with a hand painted “Trianon” gray finish and black hand painted trim. Three dovetailed drawers have brass hardware rings. The tapered legs ar...
Brass
1950s Directoire Style Brass and Iron Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
1950s Directoire style iron and brass trim coffee table. Has a smoked glass inserted to the top and arrow formed leg.
Bronze, Iron
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
Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would make an impressive statement in a study. The top sec...
Brass, Iron
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
Pair of French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble side tables. These tables are extremely fine quality and a gorgeous finish. Creates a very polished look!.
Marble, Bronze
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
Directoire Style Blood Tomato Red Lacquer Super Heavy Solid Brass Pulls Dresser
By Maslow Freen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Outstanding quality directoire style painted dresser with very heavy solid brass hardware. Six deep drawers dresser with a narrow door compartment in the m...
Oak
$5,191Sale Price|20% Off
Directoire cylinder desk with a book case on top, France 1800
Located in Leimen, DE
Directoire cylinder desk with a book case on top, France 1800, mahogany veneer. The desk has its original brass fittings. The leather on the writing surface is original as well. The ...
Mahogany
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...
Tôle
$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
$24,000 / set
Signed, Three Maison Jansen Tufted Benches
Located in New York, NY
Signed, three Maison Jansen Tufted benches. The benches have tufted velvet cushions, black ebonized tapered legs with gold trim.
Leather, Wood, Velvet
French Bronze Mounted Mahogany Directoire Style Meridienne
Located in Dallas, TX
A very graceful French meridienne in the directoire style.
French Late 18th Century Painted Directoire Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 18th century French side chair from the Directoire Period with a carved and parcel gilt cream painted frame. The backsplat with a carved classical urn. Upholstered in green Empire...
Wood
19th Century Walnut Directoire Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 19th Century Walnut Directoire Table embodies the elegance and refinement of the French Directoire period. With its clean lines, subtle detailing, and timeless craftsm...
Walnut
Large Blonde Window Seat Banquette Bench Daybed Neoclassical Directoire Antique
Located in London, GB
A large and strikingly attractive Neoclassical blonde window seat bench in lovely antique condition. Likely made in the early 20th Century, in the manner of the late 18th Century Fre...
Pine
19th Century French Directoire Style Sofa or Settee
Located in Birmingham, AL
19th century French Directoire style three-seat sofa or settee constructed of solid walnut having a high framed upholstered back with show-wood and torchiere carvings, a typical neoc...
Walnut
$3,992Sale Price|57% Off
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...
Wood
$3,984Sale Price|20% Off
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. ...
Brass
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Upholstery, Wood
$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
$4,980 / item
1-door Directoire style cupboard in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This wooden closet is offered in solid French cherrywood and is also available in oak. The hanging bar is fixed under a wooden shelf. This shelf is height-adjustable on a wooden rack. The oval entrance and key are in brass and fitted with a lock. The finish proposed here is a classic cherrywood "D" stain, with a natural varnish on the diamond and fluted fronts. The finish of every GONTIER cabinet is customizable. You can choose the wood stains and colors you prefer (see last pictures) MÉLANIE Collection This cupboard part of the MÉLANIE collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. The straight, classic and timeless lines are embellished with rhombuses...
Wood, Cherry
Directoire Style Athenienne Stand in Gilt Bronze and Porcelain, 1900 Period
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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...
Bronze
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 ...
Brass
Maison Jansen Polished Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen polished steel and brass coffee table.
Brass, Steel
Set of Ten French Mahogany Directoire St. Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and complete set of ten French turn of the century Directoire st. mahogany dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square tapered legs below the ...
Mahogany
$2,880Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Wood
$19,000 / set
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Brass, Iron
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...
Marble, Bronze
Mid Century Wm A Berkey John Widdicomb Olive Wood Triangle Pedestal End Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century William A. Berkey / John Widdicomb Olive wood side / end / accent table. Rounded triangular top with pedestal base and onion shaped feet. Dimensions: 16.75" x 22" (Diam...
Olive
Round Glass Top Silver and Gold Gilt Directoire Style Dining Table c 1970/80's
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Directiore style round glass top dining table with silver and gold gilt paint finish on a heavy wrought iron base. The table features its' original tempered beveled glass top...
Wrought Iron
1940's Maison Jansen Louis XVI Directiore Style Painted Flip Top Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your interior with this elegant Maison Jansen paint-decorated console table, a refined example of French neoclassical design paired with the sophisticated craftsmanship for w...
Wood
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
Maison Jansen Style French Bronze Rope Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful solid bronze stylized rope base with a glass top. Manner of Maison Jansen.
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Limoges Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Limoges porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a fine square ormolu base with a lovely beaded wrap around band. ...
Ormolu
Maison Baguès Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès style French gueridon table. Has a smoked glass top.
Brass
Decorative Carrara Marble Top Coffee Table with Floral Legs
Located in New York, NY
Decorative Carrara marble top coffee table with floral legs. The legs are metal with a gold painted floral pattern. Style of Maison Cha...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Pair of French Directoire Style Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of Directoire-Style Armchairs, Circa 1880 – Timeless Elegance in Mahogany This stunning pair of Directoire-style armchairs, crafted around 1880, epitomizes the refined elegance...
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....
Wood
$1,895 / set
French Pair of Period Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A regal pair of French side chairs from the Directoire period (circa 1795-1800). The chairs have chalk-white painted frames now patinated to fine craquelure texture softening the sym...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Charles Pollack Custom Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
Custom ottoman by Charles Pollack with semi attached boxed seat cushion covered in Bergamo fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of 18th Century French Directoire Armchairs, Painted Wood
Located in Madrid, EX
A pair of French armchairs from the Consulate (Directoire) period, carved from wood and polychromed in cream tones with greenish-black trim. Each piece features an elegant gondola-sh...
Beech
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.
Walnut
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
20th C. Sophisticated French Credenza by M. Hirsch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated French Credenza, Signed Hirsch, Paris. This 4 door credenza/buffet is ebonized, and is made in Directoire style.
Wood
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 ...
Carrara Marble
French late 19th century Directoire st. patinated, Gilt Metal, and Glass lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and wonderfully decorative French late 19th century Directoire st. patinated, Gilt Metal, and Glass lantern. This wonderful hexagonal frosted glass lantern is centered at th...
Metal
Italian, Torino, Pair of Walnut Demilune Console Tables, 1st Quarter 19th Cent.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Directoire period demi-lune consoles in warm-toned walnut, generously scaled with broad, rounded tops and clean, tapering legs. The form is restrained and architect...
Walnut
French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Marble, and Ormolu center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most unique French late 18th century Directoire Period Flame Mahogany, Ebony, white Carrara marble and Ormolu center table. This wonderful circular table is raised on ...
Marble, Ormolu
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
19th Century French Oval Mahogany Dressing Mirror
Located in London, GB
A large mid 19th century French oval mahogany dressing table Mirror surmounted by urn, supported by carved & scrolled eagle heads with central paterae, ending on possibly replaced pl...
Mahogany
Dark lacquered fir wood side table
Located in Vo', Veneto
Dark lacquered fir wood side table Alpine fir wood side table dating to around 1850, featuring a front drawer and an anthracite gray lacquered finish. Technical information: Period:...
Fir
French Directoire Neoclassical Carrara Marble Top Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and architectural, this French Directoire neoclassical commode brings together the disciplined line of the period with materials of real substance and quality. The hardware, ...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Set Of Four French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant set of four French early 19th century Directoire st. Patinated wood armchairs. Each wonderful chair is raised by circular tapered front legs with two mottled bands and end...
Wood
French 18th Century Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Exquisite French Directoire period, chandelier dated to the end of 18th century. The lower Montgolfier is centered by a richly chased acorn finial amidst foliate. Main band, supporti...
Crystal, Ormolu
18th Century French-style Poudreuse, circa 1780, plum wood and walnut
Located in Münster, DE
Poudreuse, circa 1780, plum wood and walnut, rectangular body with flared legs and hinged panels, several small drawers and false drawers, original interior fittings, shellac finish...
Fruitwood, Nutwood
$1,196Sale Price|27% Off
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...
Glass, Wood
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...
Upholstery, Wood
19th century French Louis XVI Style Marble Top Commode by Maison Carlihian
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite 19th century French Louis XVI style commode by renowned maker Maison Carlihian embodies timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Featuring a finely grained mahoga...
Breccia Marble, Bronze