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.
Louis XVI Period Mahogany Dining Table Of 4.6m
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb early 19th-century Directoire period mahogany dining table with eight legs measuring 4.60 meters This beautiful table features eight legs, which is important for its stabilit...
Mahogany
Signed Maison Jansen Brass and Bronze Adorned Mahogany Dining Table with 3 Leave
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
**Signed Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Extension Dining Table, Circa 1930s** This exceptional **signed Maison Jansen dining table** from the **1930s** exudes Parisian elegance and t...
Brass, Bronze
Signed Maison Jansen Directoire Mahogany Dining Table in Jansen Book
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Signed Directoire Maison Jansen Dining Table with Two 18-Inch Leaves – Documented in James Archer Abbott’s Book on Maison Jansen This remarkable circular signed Directoire-style Mai...
Brass
Maison Jansen Style Dining Table With Bronze Swan Finials Circa 1940s
Located in Peabody, MA
French art deco, Maison Jansen style table in red lacquered wrought iron with bronze corner embellishments of a stylized swan. See our separate listing for corresponding chairs.
Bronze, Wrought Iron
French Tilt Top Dining Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A vintage French Directoire style oval tilt-top table made of solid walnut. Unusual lyre shaped swivel provides sturdy support. Dining table height. Thick 1" plank top with high glos...
Walnut
19th-Century Extendable Walnut Dining Table - Italy
Located in Vo', Veneto
19th-Century Extendable Walnut Dining Table - Emilia, Italy Period: First half of the 19th century Origin: Emilia, Italy Materials: Walnut, Beech Height: 79 cm Width: 120 cm Length:...
Beech, Walnut
Superb French-Made Maison Jansen Attributed Brass Mounted Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This superb French dining table attributed to the renowned design house Maison Jansen exemplifies refined 20th-century craftsmanship with timeless neoclassical influence. Beautifully...
Brass
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table by Claude Messier, 18th Century
By Claude Messier
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table 18th Century By Claude Messier Maitre 1792 Active in Paris at the end of the 18th Cen...
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Dining Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Italian early 19th Century dining table. Featuring an unusual, decorative top that extends to make a stylish square table. With fantastic proportions and design, this table will ad...
Wood, Paint
Round Glass Top Silver and Gold Gilt Directoire Style Dining Table c 1970/80's
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Directiore style round glass top dining table with silver and gold gilt paint finish on a heavy wrought iron base. The table features its' original tempered beveled glass top...
Wrought Iron
$19,000 / set
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Brass, Iron
18th Century Drop Leaf Directoire Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant late-18th century French Directoire dining table crafted from richly figured walnut, embodying the restrained neoclassicism t...
Walnut
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Neoclassical Directoire Scrolled Iron Outdoor Plank Top Dining Table 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
A nice blend of Neoclassical, Directoire and Farmhouse styling in this beautiful outdoor table. Made of iron featuring scrolled accents and pine plank top. Dimensions: 72" x 34" x 29"h
Iron
Fine Late 18th- early 19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Richmond, VA
Fine late 18th-early 19th century French directoire mahogany dining table that captures that moment in time between the end of the directoire period and the Napoleonic blockades that...
Mahogany
French Directoire Style oval Table in Cherry with 2 extensions, from France
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our DIRECTOIRE collection, which takes up the Directoire style, very famous at the end of the 18th century in France. It is remarkable for its straight, classic...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
French Directoire style round Table in solid cherry wood, white-cream lacquered
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our DIRECTOIRE collection, which takes up the Directoire style, very famous at the end of the 18th century in France. It is remarkable for its straight, classic...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Mahogany Drop Leaf Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century French directoire period mahogany drop leaf table is a fine example of French craftsmanship melded with practicality! When closed, this piece makes a great sofa ta...
Mahogany
17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Fine 17th century table with two extensions coming from Switzerland This uncommun extension table has a very beautiful base with Fine carvings and t...
Wood
Sober, 18th Century French Provincial Country Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
An expandable French country dining table from the Directoire period (1795-1803) that combines warmth with sobriety with it's chic tapered legs and stretchers. Two pullout leaves and...
Oak
Brass and Marble-Top Dining Table in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Brass and marble-top dining table in the style of Maison Jansen. Two brass pedestals supported by a stretcher with ram's head feet.
Marble, Brass
$9,472Sale Price|50% Off
H 31.89 in W 57.09 in D 57.09 in
Unique Black Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this octagonal dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother...
Brass
$42,000
H 29 in W 56.75 in D 146 in
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table by Claude Messier, 18th Century
By Claude Messier
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table 18th Century By Claude Messier Maitre 1792 Active in Paris at the end of the 18th Cen...
Mahogany
French Louis XVI Mahogany Extension Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
An important and impressive Period Louis XVI Extension Table with 3 finished leaves.The table measures 52”x 57.5 which is a fat oval shape wh...
Mahogany
Louis XVI Ebonized Dining Table
Located in Austin, TX
Dining table from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany. It has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish of...
Brass
French Maison Jansen Style Steel and Bronze Table with Glass Top
Located in Houston, TX
French Maison Jansen style steel and bronze table, circa 1970. New glass top.
Bronze, Steel
Rustic Sun-Bleached Early Oval-Shape Tilt-Top Table
Located in Chireno, TX
Rustic early sun-bleached oval-shape tilt-top table (circa 1830-1850). Simple, elegant design with functional tilt-top. Oval bleached walnut top raised upon bleached oak swivel-harp base...
Oak, Walnut
$1,790Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 44.1 in D 43.51 in
French Walnut Dining Extending Table Louis XVI Style, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
This walnut dining table in the Louis XVI style was made in France. Without the extensions this table is 44.46 in. (112 cm) long with the extensions it measures 75.39 in. (191.5 cm) ...
Walnut
Maison Jansen Style Hollywood Regency Brass Oval Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive and rare Hollywood regency brass and glass dining table made in the manner and style of Maison Jansen. The l...
Brass
$6,399
H 29.25 in W 106 in D 46 in
Louis XVI Style Brass Mounted Dining Table In the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 29 1/4 in W (Closed): 66 in D: 46 in W (Open With Both Leaves in): 106 in W (Each Leaf): 20 in This magnificent dining table exemplifies the refined elegance of Fr...
Metal, Brass
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) mahogany "D" shaped flip top console table with bronze trim on legs and edge. Opens into a dining table 50" x 51".
Bronze
$24,864
H 32.29 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in
Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this large dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother of ...
Brass
19th Century English Inlaid Tilt-Top Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tilt-top table from England made from mahogany and rosewood. The top has a beveled edge around a band of rosewood with inlaid patterns of florals, vines and fruits. The ...
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
French Directoire-Style Walnut Dining Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a great flexible 19th Century French Walnut Directoire-style extending dining table that dates to the last quarter of the 19th century. The table consists of the basic sectio...
Walnut
Stately French Louis XVI Directoire Style Mahogany Oval Dining Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Magnificent vintage glossy mahogany oval Directoire style dining table from France having bronze medallion decoration and band around bottom apron edge. Turned carved elegant legs w...
Bronze
French Directoire Dining Table with Leaves
Located in Austin, TX
Dining table from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany. It has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish o...
Brass
Sold
H 27 in W 107 in D 57.5 in
19th Century French Directoire Walnut Six-Leg Oval Dining Table with 3 Leaves
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a dining room with this large antique table. Crafted in France circa 1820, the table is round in shape and stands on six elegant "Jacob" ...
Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Style Mahogany Round Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Round Dining Table reflects a sophisticated elegance that is truly timeless! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahogany from the Americas, it...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30.25 in W 72 in D 44.5 in
Rare Bronze Mounted Signed Maison Jansen Ribbon Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, signed Maison Jansen Dining table in Ribbon Mahogany and featuring gorgeous, crisp bronze ormolu and heavy brass banding surrounding the perimeter of the oval top a...
Bronze
Sold
H 30.25 in W 138.5 in D 57.75 in
Signed Maison Jansen Ebonized Black Lacquer Dining Table Brass Trim w 2 Leaves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This signed Maison Jansen dining table is an exquisite example of mid-20th century Parisian design, blending refined French neoclassical style with modern sophistication. Crafted in a sleek ebonized black lacquer finish, the table is highlighted with polished brass trim that adds a striking contrast and timeless elegance. The piece comes complete with two extension leaves, allowing it to expand into a generously sized dining surface, perfect for both intimate dinners and large gatherings. The table rests on elegant tapered legs with brass-capped feet, ensuring both stability and stylish detail. Its elongated oval form, clean lines, and luxurious materials exemplify Maison Jansen’s reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and sophisticated design. This piece reflects the firm’s ability to merge classical French Louis XVI influences with sleek modern elements, making it ideal for traditional, transitional, or contemporary interiors. Highly collectible and versatile, this Maison Jansen black lacquer dining table...
Brass
French Directoire Style Extending Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This vintage reproduction extending dining table is in the French Directoire style. Rectangular in form with curved ends, this table extends from 72” up to 10 feet long. There are tw...
Wood
Antique Directoire Style Fruitwood Dining Room Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style fruitwood dining room table, late 19th century. With a 6-board plank top, drawer at each end of the table resting on square tapered legs. Knee clearance 25".
Fruitwood
Oval Directoire Style Dining Room Extension Dining Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome Directoire Style Dining Table. Oval dining table with beautiful book matched top, carved edge and black string inlaid banding. The ebonized apron with gilt molded panels, ...
Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 76.5 in D 47.5 in
Fine Manner Jansen Burled Walnut Bronze and Brass Trimmed Oval Dining Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantasic burled walnut dining table with rich amber coloration and gorgeous brass and bronze trim everywhere on the table frame. The table has a wonderful original finish a...
Brass, Bronze
Directoire Dining Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a great uncommonly large folder-over demilune dining table. The table is crafted of solid beautifully grained pearwood. The shaped legs termina...
Brass