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Directoire Center Tables

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 Iron & Marble Butchers Table
French 19th Century Iron & Marble Butchers Table

French 19th Century Iron & Marble Butchers Table

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A whimsical French marble and iron work table from circa 1860, that would have been a display fixture in a butcher shop or bakery to present the current offerings. The thick, white m...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Center Tables

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Marble, Iron

French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Marble, and Ormolu center table
French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Marble, and Ormolu center table

French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Marble, and Ormolu center table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome and most unique French late 18th century Directoire Period Flame Mahogany, Ebony, white Carrara marble and Ormolu center table. This wonderful circular table is raised on ...

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18th Century French Antique Directoire Center Tables

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Marble, Ormolu

Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop
Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop

Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop

Located in Rome, IT

Very fine and important center table with square shaped Egyptian porphyry veneered tabletop. Base in walnut and ebonized wood of the Directoire period of the late 18th century, made with special care and 'original choice of the Radica and marquetry. Provenance from an aristocratic family descendant of Parma. Measurements: cm 120 x 120 This particular Imperial grade of porphyry came from a quarry in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The term "porphyry" is from Latin and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry...

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1790s Italian Antique Directoire Center Tables

Materials

Porphyry

Maitland Smith French Louis XV Style Tessellated Marble Center Table
Maitland Smith French Louis XV Style Tessellated Marble Center Table

Maitland Smith French Louis XV Style Tessellated Marble Center Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Long Branch, NJ

Maitland Smith French Louis XV Style Tessellated Marble Center Table Dimensions : 40" Wide X 40" Deep X 30" Tall This gorgeous table was made by Maitland Smith in the French style ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Directoire Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Bronze Mounted Satinwood and Kingwood Center Table in The manner Weisweiler
Fine Bronze Mounted Satinwood and Kingwood Center Table in The manner Weisweiler

Fine Bronze Mounted Satinwood and Kingwood Center Table in The manner Weisweiler

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This fine bronze-mounted satinwood and kingwood center table in the manner of Adam Weisweiler is a superb example of late 19th to early 20th-century craftsmanship inspired by one of ...

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1950s French Vintage Directoire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

Table Game French Directoire 19th Century Mahogany Leather Black France
Table Game French Directoire 19th Century Mahogany Leather Black France

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...

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Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Center Tables

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Brass

Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop
Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop

Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop

Located in Rome, IT

Very fine and important center table with square shaped Egyptian porphyry veneered tabletop. Base in walnut and ebonized wood of the Directoir period of the Late 18’ century, made with special care and 'original choice of the Radica and marquetry. Provenance from an Aristocratic family descendant of Parma. Measurements: cm 120 x 120 This particular Imperial grade of porphyry came from a quarry in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The term "porphyry" is from Latin and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry...

Category

1790s Italian Antique Directoire Center Tables

Materials

Porphyry

French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table
French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table

French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exceptional and most decorative French 19th century Directoire style flamed mahogany, rosewood, maplewood and ormolu side/center table. The table is raised by its original casters...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Center Tables

Materials

Ormolu

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Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
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Located in Dayton, OH

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Previously Available Items
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Sold

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Italian Directoire Period Veneered Oval 1-Drawer Table, circa 1830
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Sophisticated Steel and Mirror French Paw Footed Directoire X Form End Table
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1950s French Vintage Directoire Center Tables

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Superb Solid Bronze and Black Marble French Directoire Gueridon or Center Table
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Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Banded. Inlaid. Brass accents and foot caps. 31" h x 42 1/4" diameter. Condition Surface scratches. Oxidation. Chips in wood.

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1920s French Vintage Directoire Center Tables

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Italian, Lombardy, Directoire Cherrywood Folding Games Table, circa 1810
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Directoire center tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire center tables 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 center tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire center tables 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 center tables, popular names associated with this style include 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 center tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,950 and tops out at $91,647 while the average work can sell for $7,850.