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 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
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
Continental Directoire Style Flamed Mahogany and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome Continental 19th century Directoire st. flamed mahogany and marble center table. The table is raised by three elegant patinat...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Quality Bronze Brass Metal Tole Painted Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Measures 26.5 tall x 13 in diameter. Good used condition. No major issues. Dates to the 1920-30s era and is French.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
French Vitrine Cabinet, Glass Door Walnut, Rosewood with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Toronto, CA
A French vitrine cabinet with glass door and sides, in walnut with rosewood and tulipwood, top
with a grey marble top.
The ormolu mounts give the cabinet the Louis XV styling tha...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Italian Desk with Drawer Directoire All Cherrywood Restored and Wax-Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th-early 20th century Italian writing desk with drawer all solid cherrywood, restored and wax-polished.
Wonderful writing table in solid cherrywood, original and restored. ...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
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
$25,000 / set
Jansen Inspired Custom Handcrafted Bookcase Made by Old Plank, in Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Jansen inspired custom bookcase, handmade in our Old Plank Workshop here in Chicago. Our craftsmen work to the highest standards to produce bespoke fur...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Vintage French Directoire Brass Scroll Arm Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Directoire Brass Scroll Arm Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with Adjustable Height Shade and Candle Arms. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5" H (to fini...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Steel and Brass Circular Maison Jansen Attributed End Tables Gueridons
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic and rare pair of steel and brass Directoire style end tables or gueridons attributed to Maison Jansen. The tables are in good used vintage condition and will show...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine French Directoire Styke 5 Light Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Vintage gilt metal chandelier with 5 chains suspended from the circular ceiling plate conjoined with 5 arms. The body of the chandelier with center foliate motif and panels decorated...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare late 17th century museum quality giltwood fireplace screen. Features exceptional interlaced fretwork between ornately fluted columns mounted by pinecone finials. Inc...
Category
Late 17th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$2,500 Sale Price
46% Off
Signed Maison Jansen Mahogany and Marble Top Commode Dresser
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
Early 20th C Carved and Painted French Directoire Style Chairs in Linen, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century carved French bergère chairs. The frames are sage green paint with almost deep russet painted details. The floral linen upholstery is recently do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood
Pair Of French Directoire Style Armchairs1930
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of French Directoire style painted armchairs, newly upholstered in stone coloured textured silk with gold scroll braid.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$3,365 / set
Directoire Style Desk Solid Cherry with Leather Pad and Covered Storage Space
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk belongs to the MELANIE collection that proposes handcraft modernized reinterpretated pieces of furniture from the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
T...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
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
18th Century Directoire Deux-Corps
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Cupboard or sideboard in two parts, dating from the Directoire period. The doors with losange motifs. The lower section has a small central drawer. Elegant cornice.
A beautiful and ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
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
Directoire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The oval base raised on toupie feet, centered with a panel of hunting dogs with hunting trophies on each side, the case supported by a landscaped scenery of water and rocks and surmo...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Directoire style handcrafted Desk in solid wood, with leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk with top storage compartments is a craft-handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century.
The design of...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
French Writing Table on Casters, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French writing table on casters, pull-out gilt-tooled leather top above a drawer, two storage shelves. Versatile in its design and size, beautiful golden colour with black leather wr...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Directoire Painted Bookcase, circa 1800
Located in Doylestown, PA
A wonderful and rare French Directoire Period bookcase cabinet in 2-parts, circa 1800, hand-scraped to its original grey painted finish, and retaining its original wavy glass panes. ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
French Directoire Style 4-drawer Chest - Commode in solid oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This chest of drawers is part of the DIRECTOIRE collection, based on the world-renowned DIRECTOIRE style of the late 18th century in France.
This range is characterized by straight, ...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Painted Antique Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
In a painted antique finish with a molded edge rectangular top, nine paneled drawers with lozenge detailing motifs, antiqued pewter handles, with a fluted base and raised on square t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$6,255 / item
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers, Cherry
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers,
1810, France
Cherrywood
Directoire chest of drawers rests on conical feet. Straight, simple body, slightly protruding cover plate. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Mid-century vintage large walnut obelisk table lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a large mid-century vintage walnut obelisk table lamp. This decorator lamp has a black linen shade and comes with his original solid brass finial. This classical obelisk stan...
Category
1960s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century French Directoire Mirror
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Directoire Mirror. Gorgeous striking piece for any wall.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Antique French Candlesticks
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
French Directoire Period brass Candlesticks.
The detachable socles set within urn shaped holders, baluster-shaped stems, terminating on circular bases.
Some rubbing and wear.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Metal French Benches or Foot Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Nice pair of metal faux bamboo Maison Bagues style rectangular benches. The benches have plastic white toe caps to protect the floor. We can see one is missing. They are in good vint...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,036 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of Four Vintage French Brass Lyre Sconces
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This set of four, vintage 20th century French sconces are full of historic details referencing Directoire and Neoclassical themes. Cast in heavy, high-quality brass they are a beauti...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
$5,995 / set
1950s Italy Empire Bar Buffet, Servant Sideboard, by Federico Munari.
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant bar sideboard in walnut with maple interiors. Designed and produced by Munari ; with internal glass shelf and two drawers, all in vitrified and inlaid maple wood finish. Two ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Maple, 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
$1,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Maison Jansen Polished Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen polished steel and brass coffee table.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
French Directoire Style Console Table in Cherry Wood, 3 Drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This console table is fully assembled in our workshop.
The finish is made with an "A" cherry stain and 2 extra layers of varnish for a strong protection of the wood.
3 drawers assemb...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Bronze Mounted Neoclassical Tripod Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine round end table with pierced balustraded brass gallery around gilt-tooled leather top. Striking turned shaft below featuring carved panels with gilt brass beaded trim, the scrol...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Grande Bureau Italiano in Noce Intarsiato Undici Cassetti e Abattant 1750 Circa
Located in Milano, MI
Ribalta Antica Italiana della metà del secolo XVIII di origine trentina, la regione a nord vicina all' Austria. Lastronata in legno di noce, decorato con filettature geometriche in ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
French Paint Decorated Directoire Petite Commode Jewelry Chest by Lewis Mittman
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Lewis Mittman 3-drawer petite commode with a distressed finish and ebonized accents.
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Directoire Period Fine Original Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original vintage Directoire period fireplace surround is from the Jura Region. The right jamb has been restored. The center detail on the front is a composition of elements of w...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
French Directoire style handcrafted secretary desk in cherry wood & leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
$15,500 / set
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror.
Stunning 19th century French Directoire style / Louis XVI style gilt wood fluted design mirror.
This versatile mirror can be use...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Fine French Louis XVI Style Vintage Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A fine Classic French Louis XVI style vintage fireplace in a honey color Burgundy hard stone/marble. The chimney piece marries well with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
French Directoire Style Period Fireplace Mantel In Stone.
Located in Beervelde, BE
Authentic fireplace surround from the Burgundy region with amazing cartouche in the center of the fronton: Details of music instruments. This mantel has also a very nice patina.
Me...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
18th Century Original French Country Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
Very unusual French Provençal rustic fireplace surround in bicolor hard stone.
The out of real live, chicken detail on the front refers to t...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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
Stone Fireplace Surround With Wild Boar And Red De Baviere Hound Head Detail
Located in Beervelde, BE
Directoire period French stone fireplace surround.
Details of a wild boar and hunting hounds head are carved on the fronton.
Exceptiona...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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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