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 Directoire Style Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier W/ Arrows, Early 20th
Located in Charleston, SC
Regal Directoire style chandelier was made in France in the Early 20th Century. The Classical Bronze Chandelier has an open work cylinder cage made out of eight two-tone Arrows with Patinated Shafts mounted with Gilt Quills and Arrowheads mounted to two Gilt Reeded Bronze Rings. There are eight two-tone S-curved Candelabra Arms mounted in between each Arrow. The S-curved two-tone Foliated Candelabra Arms are mounted to the lower gilt reeded ring...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Classical Directoire Style Architectural Iron Panels, 1920-1930
Located in Rochester, NY
A group of seven classical directoire style exterior architectural iron panels in flaking
black paint over the original beautifully aged salmon ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Coffee Table with 1 Drawer in Solid Cherry and Natural Varnish
Located in Landivy, FR
This 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.
The finish is made with a layer of a natural varnish to keep the authentic look of the solid Cherry piece and 2 extra layers for protection of the wood.
This Coffee Table features one central drawer topped with a Louis XVI ring...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Wood, Cherry
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Essex, MA
Each with four arms with a classical bacchus like head backplate. Finely cast.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and
losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Hand Carved Walnut Chaise Longue
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Directoire period walnut chaise longue from the turn of the nineteenth century features hand carved rosettes within lozenges on the die joints of both the armchair and th...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble (Rosso Levanto) Mantel Clock. 19th Century.
movement stamped 1075.
Measures: height 16 1/2" x width 18" x depth 5 1/2"
C...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Pendule, Black Marble, Firegilded Bronze, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Antique portal clock
France
marble, bronze, enamel
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 28 x 14 cm
Description:
Antique portal c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Italian Directoire Green and Gilt Painted Parcel-Gilt Sofa
Located in Essex, MA
Directoire style green and gilt painted parcel-gilt sofa with elegantly curved back ending in flared corners. Sabre legs and exquisite carving and parcel-gilt throughout. Flared arms ending in scrolled ends with exquisite parcel-gilt foliate and flower decoration.
Newly professionally upholstered in a creme color performance velvet...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, and Vert Maurin marble consoles. Each freestanding console is raised by slender square tapered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Directoire Period Marble Top Rosewood French Console, Late 18th C.
Located in Charleston, SC
Directoire Period Marble Top Rosewood French Console with bronze mounts from the Late 18th Century. The Directoire Console has a hand chiseled marble top mounted with a bronze galler...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Console Desserte
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with 3/4 brass gallery and dark grey stone top over a drawer with two circular gilt bronze ring handles, raised on circular brass inset fluted legs joined by a l...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Walnut Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French side table with single front drawer. Beautiful patina.
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine set of four late 18thC period Directoire painted side chairs. Each chair has a different carved back splat painted black and in the full neo-Classic taste including a dolphin, flambeau, garland etc. The top of the chair rail...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Fine Pair Solid Walnut French Directoire Rush Seated 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
1960s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Directoire Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet / enfilade made of cherry wood that has been ebonized and partially veneered with black glass and mirror in a diamond pattern. There are four dovetailed drawers above four doo...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire style Desk, light-grey lacquered, with a drawer & 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 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
19th Century French Directoire Style Gilt Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire white painted open arm chair with gilt foliate decoration and shaped fluted arms, legs, and open fluted columns on back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Directoire Style Cherrywood Coffee Table Stained, 1 Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This 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, Oak
Late 18th Century Set of 6 Directoire "Etrusque" Side Chairs, Manner of G. Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of six sidechairs raised on circular front legs and square curved back legs, backrest with carved pierced latticework, the intersections of which are decorated with stylised rosettes, the top rail curved backwards. All side chairs are upholstered with elegant yellow / golden paisley pattern jacquard fabric by RUBELLI.
The set of 6 Directoire side chairs with its shape "à l'Étrusque" and its characteristic backrest design is closely related to chairs made by Georges Jacob (1739-1814):
Georges Jacob was one of the most prominent Parisian chair...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Custom Painted Bookcases Made in Our Old Plank Workshop in Any Dimension, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning pair of handmade solid wood bookcases, custom made for one of our designer clients. These bookcases are made to the highest standards here...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass, Paint
French Directoire style Bonnetière Cabinet in solid cherry with grey stripes
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our MELANIE collection, which is a handmade modernized interpretation of this French Directoire style. The Directoire periode started at the end of the 18th cen...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
18th Century Directoire Period Country French Buffet in Stripped Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Directoire Period Country French buffet in stripped oak is a splendid example of the tailored architecture made popular just before and after the turn of the 19th centur...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of Directoire Style Antico Verde Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
With good quality shades. With single socket and tapered urn with handles and lion masks. Square base with bronze toupie feet. These are very good quality. Great condition.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire style desk with a shelf and leather pad, light grey lacquered
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk is a craft-handed reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of this period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
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
French 19th Century Directoire St. Cherry Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely attractive and elegant French 19th century Directoire st. cherry and ebonized fruitwood inlaid buffet. The buffet is raised by eight square tapered legs with conforming ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details. On the top of this sconce, there is a trident sided by two swan's wings. The body ...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Directoire Bleached Oak Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
19th century French Directoire bleached oak bookcase with two drawers and brass hardware. Sliding glass doors on the upper shelving, sliding wood...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement
Located in Denton, TX
A great industrial accent for a tabletop or bookshelf the combination of brass and steel gears and a bronze bell. This movement is in non working condition and is used for decorative...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century Writing Desk in Walnut with Inlay by Meroni & Fossati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian elegant early 20th century Directoire writing desk in walnut massive and veneered with inlay on the top by Meroni & Fossati. Wax polished
Useful height under central drawer 60 cm.
To better understand the Directoire style of this desk
Directoire style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, minimal carving, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire.
The Directoire style was primarily established by the architects and designers Charles Percier (1764–1838) and Pier François Léonard Fontaine (1762–1853). In its use of Neoclassical architectural form and decorative motifs the style anticipates the slightly later and more elaborate Empire style, which was introduced after Napoleon established the First French Empire.
The Directoire style reflected the Revolutionary belief in the values of republican Rome:
"The stoic virtues of Republican Rome were upheld as standards not merely for the arts but also for political behaviour and private morality. Conventionels saw themselves as antique...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French late 19th century Directoire st. mahogany dessert console. The console is raised on tapered legs with ormolu sabots joined by a mahogany tier. At the apron is a cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century, 6 Mahogany Chairs, Directoire Style
Located in Beaune, FR
Suite of 6 Directoire style mahogany chairs. The seats are covered with a fabric. They are in good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 18th Century Directoire Bed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 18th century Directoire bed.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Ceramic Amphoras with figurative Scenes, Blue and Gold, around 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of amphorae with handles in the shape of caryatids and Asian decor. Slightly damaged.
Category
1830s European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Signed, Three Maison Jansen Tufted Benches
Located in New York, NY
Signed, three Maison Jansen Tufted benches. The benches have tufted velvet cushions, black ebonized tapered legs with gold trim.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Wood
Directoire Style Marble Top Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Directoire style marble-top chest with four pull-out drawers.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Exceptional 18th Century French Mahogany Stools
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional 18th / early 19th century French mahogany stools. Ca 1800. Signed by Henry Jacob, master in Paris (1753 - 1824).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Jansen Style Black Buffet Handcrafted in Our Workshop in Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Jansen inspired handcrafted buffet in the French Directoire style. This Jansen inspired buffet is custom made in the Old Plank workshop and can be reproduced in any size and paint co...
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Centre Table Commemorating the Paris Treaty and the USA Independence, Dated 1886
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A very interesting centre table commemorating the Paris Treaty between the original thirteen states of the United States of America and Great Britain ending the American Revolution o...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bone, Wood
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
Italy 19th Century Walnut Directory "Gondola" Chair Restored new-Upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A nice 19th century walnut directory Gondola chair from Italy restored and re-upholstered
Measure cm: H 76\40 W 53 D 51.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th century Directoire Gentleman's Valet or Vide Poche
Located in Savannah, GA
Vide poche is a French term meaning empty pockets. Features include fine mahogany with classical decorative gold gilt accents. Constructed in an unusual shape. It would make a fine a...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Maison Jansen Bronze and Steel Tufted Bench
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen bronze and steel tufted upholstered bench.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Mahogany Buffet with Solid Bronze Accents Available in Any Dimension of Finish
Located in Chicago, IL
Newly constructed buffet was made here in our in-store Old Plank Workshop. The buffet was handcrafted and built from mahogany, with solid bronze trim. The color was achieved utilizing an old school ebonize process, where we use iron acetate to slowly darken the mahogany. When you see the buffet in person, you’ll noticed that it is not quite black and some may actually describe it as coffee bean. We often see this on 19th century Napoleon III antique furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS
Located in Madrid, ES
A Napoleon III Etagere 'japonism' in ormolu and grave glass
Modeled as rods of bamboo mounted with bamboo leaves on the legs, the top suspended with four handles and with three circular tiers each engraved with floral and ivy designs and surrounded by a three-quarter pierced gallery, the upper tier signed 'ALPH. GIROUX PARIS...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Folding Secrétaire in Walnut Veneer, Époque Directoire
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century folding secretary in walnut veneer and flamed mahogany opening to a drawer in the upper part and three drawers in the lower part, the fluted uprights resting on small sp...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Maison Jansen Style French Bronze Rope Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful solid bronze stylized rope base with a glass top. Manner of Maison Jansen.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vaso con Piatto in Cristallo Decoro Blu e Oro Austroungarico Inizio 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant decagonal shaped crystal lidded vase, dish plate dating back to Directoire period, finely decorated by elaborate floral and geometrical gilded, white and blue enameled patter...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Gueridon - Side Table
Located in New Haven, CT
A wonderful rare French neoclassical round chrome plated bronze gueridon with mirror top. Scroll arms ascent the sides ending in claw caster feet.
The table has a second shelf and a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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