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.
19th Century French Butcher's Table, Marble & Iron, Circa 1860
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...
Marble, Iron
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...
Porphyry
Dark lacquered fir wood side table
Located in Vo', Veneto
Dark lacquered fir wood side table Alpine fir wood side table dating to around 1850, featuring a front drawer and an anthracite gray lacquered finish. Technical information: Period:...
Fir
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 ...
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Porphyry
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
Maitland Smith French Louis XV Style Tessellated Marble Center Table
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 ...
Mahogany
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...
Brass
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...
Ormolu
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...
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Gueridon Table in Mahogany & Marble
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Restauration French Gueridon made in mahogany and marquetry. This marble named "Brecht" is recognized by its different forms and colors.
Marble
Gustavian Period 18th Century Swedish Painted Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An exceptional Swedish Gustavian period painted pine center table from circa 1790. There are many layers of paint washing the frame, blending ethereal aquamarine over red in that tac...
Pine, Paint
$3,610
H 31.11 in W 33.47 in D 35.44 in
Alpine table, also known as Old Swiss table. It is square, made of fir wood
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Alpine table, also known as Old Swiss table. It is square, made of fir wood, and its top is engraved with a large number of texts, figures and symbols such as hearts. Some dates are from the nineteenth century, some from 1917, and all these engravings on the top create a quite extraordinary decor. It is a Swiss alpine table...
Pine
19th Century French Gueridon Table, Circa 1850, Antique Center Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Superb 19th Century French Gueridon
Marble, Bronze
$1,582 / item
H 9.65 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Nube Italia Turn Side Table in Black Lacquered Wood by Carlo Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Curved multi-layered wood. Finishing available: mat or polished lacquered or veneered wood zebrano, wengé, beech wood. Carlo Colombo is considered one of the most important Italia...
Wood
19th Century American Butcher's Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century American maple butcher's table with a beautiful well-worn finish only 100+ years of use can bestow. The table is perfect as a console table under a painting, in your e...
Maple
$2,742
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Bauhaus Rectangular Tubular Steel Table, Chromed Metal, Lacquered Wood, C. 1935
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus rectangular table model Tn 132, manufactured by Mücke-Melder, circa. 1935. Chrome plated tubular steel, black lacquered wood.
Metal, Chrome
Italian Marble Pedestal Table, Porto Guaro Rosso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisite Marble Table that detaches in three pieces, the table top, the stand and the base. Italian marble artisan from the Porto Guaro Rosso di Levenza aria .
Marble
19th Century Butcher's Block
Located in Brecht, BE
Butcher's block from a manor house in the UK, stunning color and patina, you don't get them better than this.
Wood
Antique French Charles X Period Mahogany Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
An elegant antique French Charles X mahogany center table, featuring a round top with beautifully figured mahogany veneer and a refined pedestal form with a fluted design. The design reflects the graceful restraint of the Charles X period, with a fluted column support, shaped plinth base, and boldly carved paw feet that give the table both presence and architectural balance. The scale makes it especially versatile as a foyer table, center table, or accent piece between windows or in a seating area. Its warm mahogany patina, classical proportions, and sculptural base allow it to work beautifully in both traditional and more edited interiors. Circa 1830s Dimensions: 28H x 35.5 diameter This piece is available at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Marble Top Center Table or Gueridon
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century marble top mahogany center table. Baluster shaft with original marble top and paw lion legs.
Marble
Early 19th Century French Marble Topped Gueridon Table
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
An early 19th century French marble topped gueridion table, retaining the original marble top with its moulded edge. The table has a cuban mahogany base, with a reeded vase column an...
Marble, Brass
Iron and Bronze Center Table from Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren, Henredon
Located in North Canton, OH
Gorgeous Bronze and Iron Center table by Ralph Lauren.
Bronze, Iron
Sold
H 26.75 in Dm 25 in
Fine Quality French Directoire Gilt Bronze & Black Marble Gueridon Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fine Quality French Directoire Gilt Bronze & Black Marble Gueridon Center Table. French, early 20th century. 23.5" round top (extending arms ma...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Centre Table, Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Directoire Mahogany Centre Table ~ Dining Table is a sublimely elegant expression of the style that was born during the lifetime of Napoleon Bonaparte, emphasizin...
Mahogany
Large Charles X Style Centre Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large scale Charles X style centre table with contrasting mahogany and birds eye maple. This table features an exceptional segmented base and six upright supports in the shape of a ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 25.25 in D 21.25 in
Italian Directoire Period Veneered Oval 1-Drawer Table, circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant, lean, and tall this oval table has a large surface space along with a side drawer for storage. The variations of the tones of wood indicating rosewood may have been used for...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 29 in W 44 in D 44 in
Vintage Baker French Directoire European Walnut Round Dining Breakfast Table
Located in Dayton, OH
"A lovely dining or breakfast table by Baker Furniture, circa 1960s. Made from European walnut with a burled center. Features a beautiful matchbook veneered top with a banded edge. T...
Walnut
Sold
H 27 in W 30 in D 19 in
Sophisticated Steel and Mirror French Paw Footed Directoire X Form End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful and sophisticated steel and mirror top French Directoire end or center table in the style of Maison Jansen. The table is in good condition with minor signs of age...
Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 30 in D 30 in
Superb Solid Bronze and Black Marble French Directoire Gueridon or Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic single bronze and black marble gueridon. The table was cast in France and is in very good condition with some minor stains on the marble top. The table is very he...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Banded Inlaid Walnut and Bronze Mounted French Directoire Center Table
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.
Bronze
Sold
H 31.75 in W 31.25 in D 30.5 in
Italian, Lombardy, Directoire Cherrywood Folding Games Table, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
This unique games table when viewed as closed is square with a channeled folding top, when open it becomes a rectangular table with a much larger surface, two of the ends with dual p...
Cherry
Sold
H 31 in W 32 in D 32 in
Gilded Eglomise Silver Leafed Mirrored Gilded French Directoire Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic gilded and silver leafed eglomise center table in the French Directoire style. The table has some minor signs of age that are...
Steel
Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel and Marble-Top Center Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen style steel and brass marble-top center table. Would be nice for a breakfast table.
Marble, Brass, Steel