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.
Early 20th Century Walnut Directoire Drop Leaf Table with Brass Sabot's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully hand crafted Directoire Drop leaf table with Brass Sabot's / wheels. Easily moved from one room to another. The practical size is perfect for a small space as it can ...
Brass
$1,197Sale Price|33% Off
Mid Century Italian Flip Top Walnut & Marquetry Inlay Square Coffee Side Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century flip top marquetry coffee table. Made in Italy featuring square or rectangular form with floral and geometric matchbook inlays, central medallion and serpentine X ba...
Mahogany, Walnut
Square Mid Century Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A square mid-century marble top coffee table on a gilded iron base. This square-shaped coffee table has an elegant Italian marble top with grey and white veining. It sits on an iron ...
Marble, Iron
$3,900
H 30 in W 37.5 in D 37.5 in
19th Century French Provencal Drop-Leaf Walnut Table - Antique Farmhouse Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique French Provencal drop-leaf table made of hand crafted Walnut, in good condition. The farmhouse table has a rustic wax finish, standing on four long wooden leg...
Walnut
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Travertine Top Square Coffee Table
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane rhythm mid century travertine top square coffee table This table measures: 28.5 wide x 28.5 deep x 20.5 inches high ?All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Travertine
A 19th Century French Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
A French early 19th century walnut drop leaf dining table with mahogany parquetry banding and round fluted legs. This versatile table was once an extension dining table that was lon...
Mahogany, Walnut
$2,800
H 30 in W 72 in D 36 in
Mid-Century Modern Flip Top Square Melamine Kitchen Dining Game Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair New Linen upholstery heavy solid maple frames American lounge chairs MINT!.
Birch
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Drop Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Country drop leaf table from northern Sweden. The table is a typical country home furniture from Sweden and is made around 1820 to 1840. It's i...
Pine
Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Table
Located in Southampton, NY
Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Table Double leaf and features one gate for each table top. Leg closes in and out on each side. Masterfully crafted. 41.5” wide x ...
Wood, Maple
$3,500
H 16 in W 36.5 in D 36.5 in
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Walnut Square Fin Base Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Square Fin Base Glass Top Coffee Table This coffee table showcases a unique sculptural design that captures the essenc...
Glass, Walnut
Early 19th Century Drop Leaf Table
Located in New York, NY
Lovely early 19th century drop leaf table . This dining/ breakfast table has turned legs and a drawer .Folds down on both sides. Nice construction, good patina . The table measures 4...
Wood
Dutch Walnut Drop-leaf / Gate-leg Side Table, 18th Century
Located in Carmine, TX
Drop-leaf table hand-made in the Netherlands in the mid 1700s using walnut and pegged construction. The gate-leg opens to an almost round shape measuring 111cm x 113cm (43.7 x 44.5 i...
Oak
$3,800
H 22 in W 30 in D 30 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Square Solid Teak Drop Leaf Coffee Side Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern solid teak square coffee table. Opened: W54" x D30" x H22"
Teak
$1,886
H 29.53 in W 41.34 in D 14.18 in
Spanish Drop-Leaf Dining Table with Barley Twist Legs, Mid-20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Spanish drop-leaf table dating from the mid-20th century. Crafted in wood, it features two folding leaves that transform it from a compact-sized table into a generous round dining ta...
Hardwood
Directoire Mahogany Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Lovely directoire mahogany drop-leaf extending dining table. Oval table top rests on four ring turned tapering legs that terminate in brass caps an...
Brass
19th Century French Pembroke Dining Table, Wood and Wheels
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing Dining table made with mahogany wood. This pembroke table is made up of a rectangular top, two semicircular wings that extend through sliding wooden slats, and six legs with ...
Brass
Antique Directoire Style Pine Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style pine drop-leaf table, 19th century. Nice color and finish. This is a very versatile table that could be used as a small dining table, games table, occasional...
Pine
French Directoire Ashwood Oval Drop-Leaf Table, circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A turn of the 19th century French Directoire ashwood oval drop-leaf table with tapered legs ending on brass capped feet.
Brass
French Antique Directoire Period Folding Demilune Table
Located in Austin, TX
French antique Directoire period demilune table on casters. Back leg extends with a dovetailed drawer to hold the hinged top, which opens to a depth of 56 7/8" to make a full size di...
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
An enterprising person a long time ago decided not to hide the fact he was creating an extension table by incorporating shutter style leaves and telescoping support frame. The result...
Fruitwood
19th Century Burlwood Drop Leaf Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th c. Burlwood Drop Leaf Table with tapered legs
Burl