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
Antique 18th C. French Directoire Cherry Lacca Contrafatta Side Chair Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Directoire Chair. Made from cherry with a contoured back over a tole peinte or lacca contrafatta panels showcasing an old landscape / ...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Rush, Cherry
Pair of French Brass and Steel Jansen Style Glass Top Gueridon End Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
While you are welcome to use 1stdibs shipping we also offer extremely inexpensive white-glove shipping as well to most areas of the country. Sometimes at no cost. Please send me your...
Category
1980s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
20th Century Round Top Armchair in Silk Upholstery
Located in Sofia, BG
ARMCHAIR in natural wood, resting on fluted baluster legs.
Work of the 30s
France
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A French Directoire Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode with Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Directoire Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Commode With Marble Top, 19th Century
Provenance: Private Australian Collection Acquired in 1...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
Wrought Iron French Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Gold gilt wrought iron glass top coffee table. Some scratches to the glass. Attributed to Maison Ramsay.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Directoire Style 2-door 3-drawer cabinet in solid wild cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This cabinet with 2 doors and 3 independent drawers belongs to our MELANIE collection that proposes handcrafted modernized reinterpretated pieces of furniture from the French Louis X...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
18th Century Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Angel Wall Shelves
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of superb and monumental 1700's Italian gilt wood angel wall shelves. These hand carved wood wall bracket shelves have incredible details and wonderful gold leaf gilding. Such...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Soft Blue and White Painted French Directoire Style Medium Size Armchairs
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 European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Sober, 18th Century French Provincial Country Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
An expandable French country dining table from the Directoire period (1795-1803) that combines warmth with sobriety with it's chic tapered legs and stretchers. Two pullout leaves and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
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!.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Portor marble pedestal, France, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Portor marble pedestal in Directoire style.
Portor marble is a rare and noble marble, used since Antiquity for its unique black color veined with a deep yellow. Exploited by King Lo...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Russian Baltic Mahogany Bronze Trimmed Directoire Style China Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unique Russian vitrine with fantastic bronze ormolu and directoire styling. Look at the gorgeous design and solid mahogany contrasting beautifully with the brass and b...
Category
1850s Russian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most decorative French early 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany and ormolu jardiniere planter circa 1805. The planter is raised by an elegant bottom tier with fi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
20th Century French Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Refined and beautifully composed, this 20th-century French chandelier is a striking example of Directoire Revival style—where neoclassical clarity meets understated elegance. Its gra...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Signed Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous iconic Maison Jansen mahogany and marble top, bronze ormolu mounted dresser. The piece is signed and in good original condition with minimal signs of age and wear....
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Directoire Style Chair, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style chair circa 1930
patina and coating to redo.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
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. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Metal Cabinet with Antique French Directoire Period Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
These Directoire period metal doors were once window shutters on an 18th century French chateau that now have been repurposed and made into doors for this cabinet which can lend itse...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional complete set of six Italian 19th century Directoire st. olive wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square legs below the straight apron. ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Olive
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
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
Flame Mahogany Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Style Flip Top Game Chess Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This an absolutely superbly crafted French Directoire style chess or checkers table. The top is absolutely gorgeous flame mahogany surrounded by brass trim and a gorgeous finish. The...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Pair of French Directoire Style Mahogany Servers with Marble Tops
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely pair of French Directoire style mahogany servers with beautiful grey marble tops. Very fine rich tone on the wood. And the piece has nice mirrored shelves on the sides and mor...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
Pair Of Fine Directoire Style Mahogany Marble Top Stands
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant designs, the marble tops with cookie corners in front and carved edges. The cabinets with reeded front column supports and reeded pilaster back supports. The double drawers w...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Fine Quality French Sword and Scabbard Form Marble Top Gueridon Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Sword brass base with marble top gueridon table. Brass gallery surround. Crossed sword form Bronze base.
Dimensions: 28 3/4" h x 26 1/2" diameter
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Petite Intentionally Distressed Henredon Style 2 Drawer Commode Nightstand
By Henredon
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous antique-looking intentionally distressed nightstand by one of America's most noteworthy and quality makers, Henredon. The dresser looks antique and was designed to...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Directoire Style Cabinet Hides Pair of Sub Zero Refrigerators Made Any Size
Located in Chicago, IL
Directoire Style Cabinet Hides Pair of Sub Zero Refrigerators Made to Order in any dimension.
Fabricated in house in our Old Plank cabinetry department, this is our absolute favorite way to completely integrate your Sub-Zero refrigerators, and make them virtually disappear from your kitchen. French Directoire style cabinet, can be produced in any species of wood, and with either, silver plated metal as shown, or a more traditional brass trim as seen in French Louis XVI furniture. The cabinet shown was finished in a honey maple custom stain, per the client’s specification. Our workshop went to great pains to make all the gaps as tight as humanly possible, in order to truly make the French Directoire style cabinet look authentic. The Sub-Zero refrigerator cabinet...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver, Brass
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...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier. This beautiful six arm chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom fin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
French Boiserie Library Paneled Wall Unit
Located in Sheffield, MA
Very handsome boiseries wall paneling from a French country chateau. The antique 19th century Directorie period oak paneled wall is made of 1 entry ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Pair of Carrara Marble Top & Ormolu Mounted End Tables, attrib. to Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of Maison Jansen attributed Directoire style end tables with Carrara marble on top and superb brass and bronze ormolu mounts. The tables have their original f...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Maison Jansen Style Brass Oval Pineapple Finial Tea Trolley Bar Liquor Cart
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful tea cart or liquor cart. It can also be used for desserts and serving virtually anything. The cart has oxidation from years of use but nothing that can't be polis...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an absolutely gorgeous and superb quality diminutive secretary desk from France. The desk features a bookcase top with adjustable shelf and a marble top and trimmed in bronze...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Karges Directoire Style Carved Round Coffee Table with Gilt
Located in Doylestown, PA
Magnificent Directoire cocktail table by Karges Furniture, early 2000s.
This exceptional table celebrates beautifully hand-carved details that include hand-painted gold leaf rosette...
Category
Early 2000s North American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Directoire Style Coffee Table in solid oak wood
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....
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Antique Brass Candlesticks 18th century - Baroque
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
Franco-Flemish, so Dutch or French Baroque period 18th century brass Candlesticks.
Each with an octagonal base supporting baluster stems and candle cups.
(Each candle cup has a hol...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
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
Table Tier English Mahogany Brass Marble 19th Century England
Located in New York, NY
Table tier English mahogany brass marble, 19th century England. A side table made during the end of 18th century / beginning of 19th century in England. Tiers from white marble trimmed with a brass edge. Tripod with the shapes of human legs...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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
Fine Rare French Walnut Directoire Cartonier Writing Desk Marquetry Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic and rare form of desk called a Cartonier and features a beautiful walnut case with a top in the form of a triangular etagere or bookshelf. The piece is designed i...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Console Table in Cherry with blue striped Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This console 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. The ...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Vintage Duck Doorstop Sculpture Solid Brass, England Ca 1970's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large cast iron sculpture of a duck in solid brass. This large door stop is both form and function, can be used as a door stop as well as a sculptural piece on a fireplace mantel as ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Set of 12 Brass Inlaid Rosewood French Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely rare set of 12 carved and brass inlaid Directoire style French rosewood dining chairs. They feature superb quality rosewood frames with diamond carved bac...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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