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 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
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on baluste...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
Directoire Armchair in Cherrywood with light blue coating, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Prato, IT
Tuscany, Early 19th Century
In solid cherry. New padding and light blue coating.
Dimensions: cm H 100 x D 60 Seat height approx. 49 cm
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Pair French Directoire Style Lion Mask X Form Vintage Planters Jardinieres
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 French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century, French Directoire Mahogany Marble Top End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Marble Top End Table combines the tailored elegance of the Directoire style with the finest mate...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
Magnificent Gilt Bronze Ring Holder, Period: Art Deco, Marie-Antoinette Effigy
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent ring sizer, old jewelry holder in gilded bronze, effigy of Marie Antoinette.
Face-to-face, hairbrush, ring sizer, perfume sprayer are among the essential accessories resting on dressing tables of all eras.
Period: 20th century
circa: 1930
Measures: ø: 18cm
The ring has become a piece of jewelry that we wear every day. We change it, we adapt it according to our activities.
Do you know the history of this precious jewel?
The first rings date back to prehistoric times and were discovered around 21,000 BC. They are fine mammoth ivory rings...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Maison Jansen Attributed Mahogany French Directoire Footstools, Circa 1960s
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
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 2 Light Tole Candelabra Parlor Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a fluted column with round dish ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Directoire Period Writing Desk of Walnut and Mahogany with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French Directoire period writing table or desk of walnut and mahogany from the late 18th century, featuring an embossed leather top with brass accents, with two brushing slide...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Maison Jansen Style Ebonized Mahogany Coffee Table Built to Order
Located in Chicago, IL
French Maison Jansen or Directoire style coffee table that in our home, might more accurately be described as a cocktail table. This particular Maison Jansen or Directoire style coff...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pointillé Engraving, Entitled Marche Incroyable, Boilly Et Bonnefoy, 18th C
By Louis Leopold Boilly
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Very nice engraving entitled "Marche Incroyable" which represents an amusing parade, gathering different characters in Directoire period costumes.
Period: 18th century
Edition : ...
Category
18th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Directoire Style Ebonized Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers, French, made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. This piece has three dovetailed drawers and gilt brass handles. The clea...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 18th Century Lacquered Directoire Bergère
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique 18th Century French Directoire armchair bergere.
It’s made in beech wood and oak lacquered in off-white and upholstered in black ve...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Beech
French Tilt Top Dining Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A vintage French Directoire style oval tilt-top table made of solid walnut. Unusual lyre shaped swivel provides sturdy support. Dining table height. Thick 1" plank top with high glos...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Directoire Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century French buffet from the Director period. The piece is made from walnut and cherry and was lovely figuring to the wood. the top is banded and follows down to paneled ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
18th Century French Directoire Buffet a Deux Corps or Bibliotheque
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th Century French Directoire Period buffet à deux corps or bibliotheque made of solid walnut and cherry wood with pine inlay outlining the glass panes. Pine as a secondary w...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Bronze Mounted Satinwood and Kingwood Center Table in The manner Weisweiler
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 French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Maison Jansen Style Directoire Chromed Steel Console Table with Smoked Glass
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
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
19th Century, French, Directoire Parcel Gilt Mirror
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French directoire period parcel gilt mirror. Architectural green painted frame with three dimensional fluted columns and a gilt frieze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Paint, Giltwood
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
Antique Italian Silver Gilt Metal Chandelier, 1920s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Italian silver gilt metal chandelier. It includes 4 lights with Austrian crystal bobeches and prisms.
Additional information:
Materials: crystal, lights, silver
Color: s...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair French Directoire Louis XVI White Painted Mirrored Gueridons End Tables
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
1960s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Italian Walnut Tables, circa 1790
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular top with with molded edge and canted angles raised on channel moulded cabriolet legs.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 3 Light Pierced Tole Candelabra Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a pierced / reticulated base wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Manner of Maison Jansen White Lacquer Bronze Mounted Dining Table 3 Leaves
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
1980s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Directoire Style Verre Églomisé Glass Barometer
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style verre églomisé glass barometer, 19th century. Barometer is not functional it is purely decorative.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
Early 19th Century Green Painted Household Shrine
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th century green-painted household shrine, or niche, in Directoire neoclassical style (circa 1795-1815). Used for lighting candles or placing statue of saint. Original green ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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 ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Directoire-Style Mahogany Side Tables, Leather Top, French, ca. 1920
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Pair of Mahogany Directoire-stye side tables with bronze ormolu mounts and gallery, with tooled leather top, and shaped shelf below, on tapered legs terminating in bronze sabots, F...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Directoire Fruitwood Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With original bowed St Anne marble top over two conforming drawers with round brass handles, lower conforming shelf and ending on turned feet. From the estate of William Hodgins...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
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
19th c. Venetian Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic Italian Venetian Painted secretary/cabinet. This piece has a wonderful color palette but I believe that was done in the early 20th...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Neo Classical Style Bedside Table in Solid Oak, 1 Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This night stand is a handmade and modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
This period is remarkable with its straight, classical a...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Oak
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
18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Draper's Table with Marquetry Band
Located in Birmingham, AL
A grand 18th century French Directoire period table de drapier from a draper's atelier in Narbonne, a wealthy port city in Southern France in the Occitanie region, circa 1780s. Handc...
Category
1780s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks, circa 1790
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of rare and beautiful French Directoire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the late 18th century.
In very good antique condition.
Marked in the lower part of the foot with "13...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Karges Directoire Cocktail Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Magnificent Directoire cocktail table by Karges Furniture, early 2000's.
This exceptional table celebrates beautifully hand-carved details that include hand-painted gold leaf rosett...
Category
Early 2000s North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Round Faux Iron Accent Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair of vintage French gueridon-style iron pedestal base tables, shown here, are distinguished by their faux tortoise ringed surface finish. Sized for use as end tables or occas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Italian Steel & Brass Round Directoire Neoclassical Coffee Table after Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant vintage Italian brushed steel and brass round cocktail table in the manner of Maison Jansen. Item features a round form with solid brass gallery, inset glass top, brushed ste...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
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
Antique Painted Petite Side Table
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...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Signed Maison Jansen Marble Top Brass Trimmed Bookcases Book Shelves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Maison Jansen made some of the world's most chic furniture and designed to replicate the earlier styles of the past and blend them with a more practical design for today. These bookc...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Directoire Cherry Wood Antique Single Bed
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Delicious Italian directoire antique single bed in cherry wood, 1800. Internal dimensions inch W 30,70 D 74,01 cm W 78, D 188. Attention this bed wi...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Directoire Style Night Stand in Solid Cherry with 1 Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This night stand is a handmade and modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
This period is remarkable with its straight, classical a...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Oak
Antique French Directoire Brass Mounted Card Table Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very attractive antique French Directoire flame mahogany and brass mounted demi-lune ganes table, circa 1820 in date.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS CARD T...
Category
1820s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Directoire Style Dining Table in Bookmatched and Inlaid Macassar w/Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco dining table was realized in France circa 1940. Sitting on four conical ebonized legs with brass capped sabots and brass circular embellishments at the apex of...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set or Pair of Italian Neoclassical Directoire Fruitwood Klismos Side Chairs
Located in Nashville, TN
In leopard or cheetah velvet. Both in hand carved and peg constructed. Directoire frames and of slight Klismos form. Pretty well untouched (other than new leo...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
French Empire Biedermeier Mahogany Center Table by Century Furniture
Located in Doylestown, PA
Exquisite French Empire Biedermeier style mahogany center or side table by Century Furniture.
Reminiscent of early 19th century design, th...
Category
2010s North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century French Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful pair of French original Directoire - Louis XVI chairs, France, 18th century. Original painted French Greenish gray with blue accents. All pegged construction, these came ou...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 1890-1900 Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons. Each with very fine ormolu mounts as well as hand-carved marble tops. Exceptional details on the ormolu i...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Directoire Style Stripped Chiffoniere
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Chiffoniere was crafted from solid sycamore, and features a lovely soft visual effect thanks to our proprietary stripping process. With six full ...
Category
1870s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Antique French Directoire Style Chairs in Maple
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of four antique French Directoire style chairs in Maple is a perfect example of the refined, graceful neoclassical style that was founded during the days of Napoleon. This set wa...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Maple
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
Early 20th Century Mahogany Directoire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
French commode in the Directoire style. Circa 1st half of the 20th century.
Three-bay mahogany veneered corpus with slightly overhanging top plate, sloping pilasters and brass profiled skirting board...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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