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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880.
Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h.
Internal reference: JG11
Reference: 8063
Dimensions
28 inches (71 cms) Wide
30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Directoire-Style Sofa with Carved and Painted Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome Directoire-style sofa with carved and white painted frame, comfortable single seat cushion, upholstered back and sides, beautiful blue and white floral design fabric, the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Table Game Directoire 19th French Mahogany Brass Leather Top France
Located in New York, NY
Table game Directoire 19th century French mahogany brass leather top, France. A game table made during the 19th century in France. Demi lune opens up to a round table. Channeled and ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Directoire Card Table, 1800-10, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
This French Directoire card table dates back to around 1800-10, It has a pretty mahogany veneer. The table stands on four pointed legs. The top can be folded out and rests on the pul...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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 19th Century Green Painted Metal And Brass Table Lamp For Candlestick
Located in Copenhagen, K
French 19th Century Green Painted Metal And Brass Table Lamp With Candle Holder
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
$1,290 Sale Price
24% Off
Directoire Armchair 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This nice chair of directoire style is characterized by straight and simple forms. The uprights are made of turned wood with floral motifs on the connecting dice (seat and armrests)....
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and finely detailed pair of French 19th century Directoire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks. Each candlestick is raised by a triangular base with concave sides...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Signed Maison Jansen Carrara Shallow Marble Top Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very SHALLOW depth sideboard that can be placed almost anywhere in any home by the famous Maison Jansen in this case of Argentina. Maison Jansen had factories in France, Eg...
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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
$3,160 Sale Price / set
45% Off
Chrome and Brass Console after Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Jansen chrome and glass console table with brass feet.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period.
A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Shallow Depth Baker Furniture Directoire Figured Walnut Directoire Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your home with this timeless Baker Furniture Company French Directoire Style Sideboard, expertly crafted in rich fiddle-back walnut. A distinguished example of Baker’s commit...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
$1,800 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Mahogany Mercier Freres of Paris Fine French Louis XVI Directoire Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Enhance your interior with this distinguished 1940s French Bronze Mounted Marble Top Sideboard, a striking blend of function and refined elegance. This vintage sideboard showcases a ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique French Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
1920s French bronze and marble pedestal. Pedestal has hoof feet, a nice burgundy marble top with a decorative and ornate bronze frame.
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
LATE 18th CENTURY ROUND DIRECTORY WALNUT COFFEE TABLE
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant coffee table embellished with solid walnut legs and a poplar top veneered with walnut. The legs feature curved saber shapes, typical of the period, while the smooth top is en...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
$4,539 / set
Late 18th Century French Trumeau Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
Absolutely beautiful example of an original French trumeau mirror with painting of what appears to depict a scene from the famous o...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Canvas, Mirror
French Directoire Re-Interpreted Style TV Cabinet in Solid Oak with 2 Lift Doors
Located in Landivy, FR
This TV cabinet coffee table with 2 independent drawers belongs to our MELANIE collection that proposes handcrafted modernized reinterpretated pieces of furniture from the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
This period was remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless lines ornamented with grooves, diamonds or rings on fronts.
The finish we propose here is a canelle / cinnamon oak stain and a natural varnish on the 2 diamonds and lower grooves. You can also customize your furniture with an other finish of your choice.
The 2 doors open from the top in a "garage door" style, and give the impression of false drawers.
A vertical interior partition divides the cabinet into 2 compartments. The left compartment is equipped with a CD rack...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
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
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
Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-19th century French bouliotte lamp. Painted tole shade. Excellent scale and design, circa 1840-1860 in the Directoire style
The open work basket form base was used to retain the...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Vintage Directoire Style Painted Dresser
Located in Sheffield, MA
Refinished large paint decorated black cherry 10-drawer Directoire style dresser. A handsome grey paint with a hint of gold gilt accent gives this dresser added style and functional...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut and Vienna Sraw Armchairs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of armchairs from the Directoire period, late 18th century.
The armchairs are made of solid walnut wood with a characteristic seat in Vienna straw wov...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Straw
English Stool
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/832 - Antique English adjustable piano or vanity stool in mahogany, just covered in real red leather.
Height adjustable. Simple and elegant.
Category
Early 20th Century English Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,134 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Crackle Lacquer Gueridon Swan Pedestal Table Sculpture Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Stately French Directoire and Empire inspired Pedestal or Sculpture Stand. Made from hardwood with a crackle lacquer finish. Features three intricate downswept swan supports leading to an acanthus scrolled foot over a tripod base. Finish is a reddish brown with black crackle lines. The tables large stature allows for use as a pub bar table...
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
$1,880 Sale 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 ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
French 19th Century Mahogany Petite Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century leather-topped mahogany writing desk, designed in the Directoire taste for refined proportions & materials. The vermilion leather surface is worn to a mottled h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks. Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Gilt and Dark-Patinated Bronze Candlesticks – French Directoire, Late 18th Century
An exquisite pair of French gilt and dark-patinated bronze candlesticks, crafted during ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian 19th Century Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Italian early 19th Century dining table.
Featuring an unusual, decorative top that extends to make a stylish square table.
With fantastic proportions and design, this table will ad...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Large Candelabra-Candlesticks in Gilded Wood, France Directoire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Two large candelabra-candlesticksdecorated with lion claw and cherub heads on the on the visible side .
They are turned wood and are decorated, engraved and gilded only on one side ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Maison Charles Style Brass Horse and Steel Verdi Marble Console Table circa 1970
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
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
$1,996 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Directiore Style Painted Pine Sideboard Buffet Enfilade
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century antique French Directoire Style 3-door sideboard is crafted in pine wood with a beautiful rustic painted finish.
Meaures 40 1/2"h x 82 1/4"l x 27 3/4"d
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
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
Baker Furniture Company Tambor Door Gentleman's Dresser Tall Chest Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a sophisticated and simple Baker Directoire or Louis XVI style tall dresser. The dresser is in good original condition with few signs of age or use and is in ready to go cond...
Category
1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Directoire Fruit Wood Demi Lune Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Directoire fruit wood demi lune games table, early 19th century. Having a demi lune top which when opened becomes a round top, a fruit wood...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Directoire Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Directoire Cast Iron Fireback.
Handsome 18th century French Directoire cast iron fireback or fireplace back or fireplace screen with two columns.
Can be used in the back...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Baker Directoire Empire Style Ring Pulls 6 Drawers High Chest Dresser MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Directoire Empire Style Ring Pulls 6 Drawers High Chest Dresser MINT!
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet
Located in valatie, NY
Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet, c1800. The octangular inset marble topped shelf has a conforming wooden surround and gallery surround...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French Directoire Transformable Games Table, Late 18th – Early 19th Century
This French Directoire-style table embodies the elegance and ingenuity of late 18th-century craftsmanship...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Antique English Brass Tapesty Fireplace Screen Ball & Claw Hearthware Guard
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Victorian Directoire fireplace screen. Made of brass featuring exceptional reticulated fretwork with fluting and ornate ball & claw feet. Great for use with stained gl...
Category
19th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$800 Sale Price
20% Off
Pinwheel Portico Clock
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire pinwheel portico clock with figured amboyna wood. Signed Rieussec, Horlogier du Roi.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Amboyna
$14,800
Set of 8 French Louis XVI Painted Balloon Back Maison Jansen Attri Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a bright, chic and gorgeous set of 8 chairs in the style of Maison Jansen. They are painted in an off-white and feature a gold velvet of some kind. The chairs are in good con...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Beautiful Walnut and Brass Mounted French Directoire Baker Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Baker Furniture Directoire style coffee table with brass mounts. The table is in its original condition and features Baker quality and superb brass and wood qualit...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Baker French Directoire Style Walnut and Marble Top Canted Corners Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Baker Furniture Company 1970s era Directoire style sideboard and looks like an authentic antique. This is a particularly rare model and we just don't see it. The p...
Category
1970s American Vintage 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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