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.
Painted Directoire Style Bouillotte Candlestand Occasional Table with Marble Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Directoire style candlestand bouiotte table having a round top of marble with pierced brass border, on ivory-painted base, its apron holding a single frieze drawer with ring pull, ra...
Marble
Early 19th Century Green Painted Household Shrine
Located in Chireno, 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 ...
Wood, Paint
$2,450
H 27.25 in W 20 in D 19.5 in
Tilt-Top Tripod Pedestal Table/ Candlestand in Mahogany, North Shore, MA
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
In the style of Thomas Chippendale, a lovely American 18th century tilt-top table in mahogany that, historically, doubled as a candlestand. The square top is cut in curves at the cor...
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Candlestand
Located in Essex, MA
Piecrust top with unusual shaped support with three carved legs.
Mahogany
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Candle Stand
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of Victorian elegance to your home with this exquisite 19th Century Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Candle Stand. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and built to last, ...
Mahogany
$1,795 / set
H 18.5 in W 15.5 in D 12.5 in
Louis XVI Style Occasional Tables by Brandt with Marble Tops
By Brandt
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of Louis Xvi style occasional side tables with thick marble tops & pierced brass gallery surrounds. Unique smaller silhouettes offer versatility for placement & uses. Of heir...
Marble, Brass
$895
H 27 in W 10 in D 10 in
20th Century Italian Carved, Painted Solid Wood Figural Tripod Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
20th Century Italian Painted Solid, carced Wood Figural Tripod Candle Stand. Measures 10" in width, 10" in depth and 27" in height. Candle seat is 6" in diameter. Overall top diamet...
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century Mahogany Wood Pedestal Table
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century mahogany wood Regency style pedestal stand / table. The pedestal features hand carved design details resting on a squared based. The pedestal table is in good anti...
Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Adjustable Candle Stand Pedestal
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Regency mahogany candle stand that adjusts in height from 33 to 43 inches. The rich mahogany stand makes a great pedestal for holding a sculpture or piece of pottery. Or...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Tripod Candle Stand Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Tripod Candle Stand Side Table. Measures 20.5" in diameter and stands 29" tall.
Mahogany
$1,095
H 22 in W 16 in D 16 in
Early 20th Century Solid Cherry Pedestal Tripod Candle Stand with Snake Feet
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Refinished Solid Cherry Pedestal Tripod Candle Stand with Snake Feet. Measures 16" in diameter and stands 22" tall
Cherry
19th Century Carved Mahogany Pedestal in Classical Roman Style, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Tall 19th century carved mahogany pedestal The column has an intricate tulip and acanthus leaf carvings top and bottom with a faceted section between The Torchere is very sturdy...
Mahogany
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Candle Stand
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of Victorian elegance to your home with this exquisite 19th Century Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Candle Stand. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and built to last, ...
Mahogany
19th Century Flint & Horner Mahogany Galleried Floor Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Flint and Horner New York George III Mahogany candle stand. Great antique condition. Measures 13" in width, 13" in depth and 16" in height.
Mahogany
$1,884 / set
H 35.83 in W 48.43 in D 16.15 in
19th century Anglo-Indian Hand-Carved Wooden Console, Rajasthan
Located in Aartselaar, BE
This 19th-century Anglo-Indian console table originates from Rajasthan, India and is crafted from solid dark wood. It features a beautifully hand-carved front with intricate wave and...
Wood
George III Mahogany Tilt Top Tea Table
Located in Essex, MA
With circular shaped spindled gallery raised on a turned urn form support and three cabriole legs with pad feet. Provenance; Devenish Antiques, NYC.
Other
Pair Of George III Style Mahogany Candlestands
Located in Essex, MA
With circular dished tops and reeded supports ending on three cabriole legs and pad feet. Diameter of top 9.13
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Fruitwood Candlestand Table with Marble Top
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An early 19th C French candlestand table in fruitwood, featuring a circular white marble top with subtle veining and a pierced brass gallery surround. The tapering stem is supported ...
Marble, Brass
Rare Directoire Walnut Candle Stand with Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine and rare Directoire walnut tripod candle stand with Chinese famille verte porcelain top, 18th century. The porcelain plaque painted with figural-decorated vase and a tripod ...
Wood