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.
Antique French Directoire Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble Top expresses a tailored elegance that cannot be denied! Crafted from solid mahogany, it features a shallow design wit...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Pair of Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Tables, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Directoire console tables; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports...
Carrara Marble
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Grand French Marble Top Carved Louis XVI Directoire Silver Leaf Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This grand French Louis XVI Directoire style console table is an exquisite example of refined neoclassical elegance and craftsmanship. Featuring a stunning marble top with natural ve...
Marble
19th Century Italian Directoire Demilune Console
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Italian walnut or marble demilune console.
French Directoire Style Stainless Steel And Bronze Console Table
By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Stainless Steel And Bronze Console Table. Offered is an unusual French Maison Jansen Directoire style, Louis XVI style or Neoclassical style stainless steel c...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Stainless Steel
$4,240Sale Price|20% Off
Directoire Console Table, France, circa 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire console table, France, circa 1800. This Classic Directoire French console table has a beautiful mahogany veneer. The brass fittings are original. The marble top is framed ...
Mahogany
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Unique Greek Key John Vesey Style Marble Top Steel Demilune Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This unique demilune console table in the style of John Vesey exemplifies timeless elegance with a blend of neoclassical motifs and modern sophistication. The table features a striki...
Marble, Metal
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Maison Charles Style Brass Horse and Steel Verdi Marble Console Table circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Charles Style Brass Horse and Steel Verdi Marble Console Table, circa 1970, is a striking example of mid-20th century French design that perfectly blends luxury with mode...
Marble, Brass, Steel
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Finest Quality French Directoire Steel and Glass Shallow Depth Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Directoire style console table exemplifies refined simplicity and timeless elegance, making it a perfect addition to both classic and contemporary interiors. Crafted from...
Steel
French Neoclassical Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine French early 19th century walnut neoclassical console or pier table, the top with wooden gallery edge with ebonized molded edge over two drawer...
Walnut
Pair of 18th Century Italian Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Handsome pair of 18th Century Italian demi-lune consoles. Of blond walnut construction with hand-carved legs, hand-carved stretchers and a beautiful patina to the tops.
Walnut
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble is ideal for the efficient floorplan, or for adding a nice finishing touch to any room, including hallways...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Carved Painted Demilune Console Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entryway with this elegant pair of antique painted consoles. Crafted in northern France, circa 1880 and shaped as half moon, each style table stands on four tapered and r...
Oak, Paint
Rare Pair of Maison Jansen Attributed Carrara Marble Top Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare and exceptional pair of mahogany and marble console tables, attributed to Maison Jansen, is the kind of furniture that doesn’t raise its voice—because it doesn’t have to. T...
Carrara Marble, Brass
French 18th century Mahogany, Ormolu and marble console, circa 1795
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Gris St. Anne marble console, circa 1795. This stunning console is raised on toupie shaped feet...
Marble, Ormolu
French Directoire Style Console Table in Cherry Wood, 3 Drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This console table is fully assembled in our workshop. The finish is made with an "A" cherry stain and 2 extra layers of varnish for a strong protection of the wood. 3 drawers assemb...
Cherry
Signed Maison Jansen Marble Top Directoire Console Table with Certification
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This extraordinary Maison Jansen console table exemplifies the refined elegance and neoclassical precision of the Directoire style. Beautifully crafted and signed by Maison Jansen, t...
Marble
French Directoire Style 3-drawer lacquered console table in solid wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Console 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. This Console is made of solid French cherry wood. Its finish consists of black lacquered legs and white-cream lacquered drawers, shelf and top. This Console features 3 drawers with Louis XVI rings...
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French Demi Lune Console Table, Directoire Period (1790–1800) in Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
French Demi Lune Console Table, Directoire Period (1790–1800) in Mahogany with Marble Top This elegant French demi lune console table dates from the Directoire period, circa 1790–180...
Mahogany
$3,996Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Server Patinated Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
ChatGPT said: This Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Server with Patinated Mirror exudes timeless sophistication and French neoclassical elegance. Featuring a luxurious marble top ...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Table, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Italian Directoire console table; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports the origi...
Carrara Marble
$5,560Sale Price|20% Off
French Directoire Style 19th Century Walnut Table with Folding Top, Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut console table from the 19th century with folding top, two leaves, single drawer, tapered legs and brown patina. Created in France during the 19th cen...
Brass
French Directoire Style Console Table in Cherry with blue striped Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This console 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 ...
Wood, Cherry
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble is ideal for the efficient floorplan, or for adding a nice finishing touch to any room, including hallways...
Carrara Marble, Brass
French Directoire Style 3-Drawer Handcrafted Wooden Console Table
Located in Landivy, FR
This console table is a handmade reproduction of a console table from the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless lines ornamented with grooves, diamonds or rings. This console table is made of solid cherry wood sourced in sustainably managed French forests. The 3 drawers' fronts are assembled with dovetails for a better durability and feature 3 Louis XVI rings...
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French Directoire Style Console Table in Solid Cherry Wood, Secret Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This rectangular console table is a craft handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The Directoire period style is remarkable with its ...
Brass
French Directoire console in cherry with red grey striped drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This console 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 ...
Wood, Cherry
Chrome and Brass Console after Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Jansen chrome and glass console table with brass feet.
Brass, Chrome
$2,850Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century French Directoire Mirror and Console with Ebony Columns
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning two piece French Directoire mirror over matching console, perfect for an entryway or important hallway. Mirror has original stunning ...
Mirror, Walnut
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...
Marble