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.
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...
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
19th Century French Louis Philippe Carrara Marble Top Mahogany Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Center Table with Original Carrara Marble Top was elegantly crafted from richly toned mahogany, reflecting the refined restraint th...
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Center Table brings refined 19th century French elegance to the room with a beautifully proportioned round top, rich mahogany venee...
Mahogany
Beautiful 19th Century French Game Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful 19th century French game table, Louis XV style.
Walnut
$1,608 / 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
$40,311
H 25.2 in W 48.04 in D 28.35 in
Italian 18th Century Carved Giltwood Center Table with Marble Serpentine Top
Located in Meer, VAN
Italian 18th Century Carved Giltwood Center Table with Marble Serpentine Top This is a very special and museum worthy 18th century Italian center table in carved and gilded wood wit...
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
19th Century French Tric Trac Game Table, Cherry wood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early XIX century Tric Trac French Game Table, 1810-1820 France, Cherry wood Early XIX century Tric Trac game Table made of solid cherry wood wit...
Cherry
Italian Modern Bronze Octopus Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Bronze Octopus Center Table. This stunning Italian sculptural bronze table in the shape of an octopus is expertly detailed and comes with a 59 inch glass top. This v...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Rustic French Side Table in Wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rustic French Side Table in Solid Wood. By unknown manufacturer from France, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent w...
Wood
$3,833
H 29.93 in W 34.26 in D 43.31 in
Chinese Style Leaf Table in Black Lacquered Wood, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chinese style leaf table in black lacquered wood with a gilt decor. Two leaves adorned with large cartouches framing Chinese-style landscape scenes with pagodas, junks, etc. They sta...
Wood, Lacquer
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
French Directoire Drop-Leaf Dining Table, 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French Directoire elmwood drop-leaf dining table, late 18th century. (fully extended with two leaves). Converts to a round table or round with drop leaves. Mechanism to support the...
Elm
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