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.
Directoire Fruit Wood Demi Lune Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Directoire fruit wood demi lune games table, early 19th century. Having a demi lune top which when opened becomes a round top, a fruit wood...
Brass
Directoire Half Moon Table In wood From The Directoire Period
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing mahogany crescent-shaped table from the Directoire period, late 18th century. It rests on pilastered legs topped with wooden pads. Elegant and timeless half-moon gaming table...
Fabric, Wood
Flame Mahogany Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Style Flip Top Game Chess Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This flame mahogany Louis XVI-style flip-top game table is a stunning example of neoclassical craftsmanship, offering both beauty and functionality. The elegant design features bronz...
Brass
French Directoire Inlaid Marquetry Side Table or Desk with Meticulous Inlay
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Antique Directoire table is adorned with intricate diamond marquetry details on the top and skillfully sculpted ring patterns on the sides. T...
Satinwood, Walnut
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
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
$3,900
H 29.75 in W 36 in D 16 in
Philadelphia Hepplewhite Hollow Front Flip Top Game Table, c. 1790-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hepplewhite hollow front flip top game table with gated leg. The solid figured mahogany top is mounted to a conforming brick laid apron veneered in figured mahogany, and the borders ...
Mahogany, Holly
Regency Mahogany Games Table with Satinwood Inlay
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Regency-period games table from England, circa 1810-1815. Crafted from mahogany, the apron is decorated with fine line inlay in satinwood and maple, while the tapered legs a...
Felt, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
$4,450
H 29.25 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
Italian 19th Century Walnut, Mahogany and Ash Game Side Table with Marquetry Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut, mahogany and ash game side table from the 19th century with marquetry top, turned pedestal and carved tripod base. This exquisite Italian game side table from the ...
Ash, Mahogany, Walnut
French 20th Century Mahogany Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A versatile (and reversible) French mahogany game table from the early 1900s in the style of Louis XVI for a timeless look to suit a range of entertaining needs. There is an inset pa...
Mahogany, Ash, Felt, Leather
French 19th Century Mahogany Game Table Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A versatile French mahogany console-game table from the late 1800’s. The rectangular tabletop flips open to become a square, revealing a green felt-lined interior surface that would ...
Wool, Felt, Mahogany
$1,298
H 28.35 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Neoclassical Italian Biedermeier Walnut Inlay Tripod Chess Games or Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian walnut side table with great details and frames shaped in Victorian, Napoleon III, Louis XV style with chessboard on the top and the tripod feet legs. A very eleg...
Wood
English Mahogany Marquetry Drop Leaf Side Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, English Regency, drop-leaf, mahogany side table with symmetrical marquetry, boxwood inlay work and beautifully curved saber legs. The table extends from 7.5 - 26 inches deep ...
Boxwood, Mahogany
$1,856
H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 18.71 in
Victorian 1880 Walnut & Hardwood Marquetry Inlaid Chess Games Table Ornate Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely small Victorian 1880 walnut & mahogany marquetry inlaid Chess games table A very good looking well ...
Hardwood, Walnut
$1,803
H 31.89 in W 29.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique Italian Walnut Console Desk Side Table with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table console desk with four beautiful walnut carved legs connected to one another with central decorated stretchers and detailed by the b...
Wood
$23,105
H 28.94 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Jacques Grange Game Table from the Estate of Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Soho, London, GB
Game table in Cerused oak by Jacques Grange designed for Yves Saint Laurent's studio in Avenue de Breteuil. The table top has one side in felt and one side in Cerused oak. Original...
Felt, Oak
Neoclassical Italian Walnut Inlay Tripod Chess Games or Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian round walnut side table with great details and frames shaped in Victorian, Napoleon III, Louis XV style with chessboard on the top and the tripod feet legs. A ver...
Wood
Directoire game table, late 18th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Directoire mahogany game table, late 18th century high range Parisian production circa 1795 - 1800. Fine model with ebony and brass inlays, channeled legs. A circular green felt baiz...
Brass
Sold
H 30.5 in W 35.75 in D 35.75 in
Maison Jansen Attributed Bronze Mahogany and Leather Top Game Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular Maison Jansen Attributed games table with bronze mounts and brass details and a superb gold tooled embossed leather top. The table is strongly attributed to Mai...
Bronze
Antique Directoire Style Walnut Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style walnut games table, 19th century. With a rectangular top with banding and parquetry inlay, when the top is opened there is a brown felt playing surface below...
Walnut
Directoire Mahogany And Brass Mounted Tric Trac Table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular removable top with brass stringing and corners, on the reverse a green felt game surface. Enclosing a backgammon playing surface. The frieze with opposing small draw...
Brass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 44.89 in D 25.2 in
Antique Game Table, Table à Tric Trac, Mahogany, France, Directoire, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Tric Trac game table France Mahogany Directoire around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 77 x 114 x 64 cm Description: Piece of furniture standing on round legs with brass surro...
Wood
19th Century Directoire Period French Game Table
Located in Austin, TX
This 19th Century Directoire Period French Game Table is a captivating piece that beautifully represents the elegance and functionality of the Directoire style. Crafted during the ea...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Silver Leaf French Directoire Louis XVI Style Games Table and Matching Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a unique set that can be used as games table or a breakfast table. The enture set is parcel gilded in silver leaf and just luminous and bright. The set is in good vintage condition. The set has 4 matching chairs...
Walnut
Antique Directoire style Demi Lune Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style walnut demi lune games / dining table, late 19th century. With a demi lune top and frieze, square tapered legs ending in brass sabots. Dimensions when top is...
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 42.92 in D 21.66 in
Antique French Directoire Brass Mounted Card Table Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very attractive antique French Directoire flame mahogany and brass mounted demi-lune ganes table, circa 1820 in date. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS CARD TABLE IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION. The folding top opening to reveal a baize lined playing surface, the central rear leg extending with a concealed drawer to support the open top, and raised on turned tapering legs terminating in brass spool feet. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is certain to make it a talking point in your home. As such, this card table is sure to take pride of place in your lounge or reception. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 75 x Width 109 x Depth 55 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 3 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches Directoire style describes a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design concurrent with the post-Revolution French Directory...
Brass
French 19th Century Directoire Console Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Made in 1830s France, this wonderful antique can play double duty. This demilune console table sits wonderfully against a wall or the top flips open to a round felt-top game table. B...
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 41.5 in D 23.75 in
19th Century French Directoire Style Walnut Game Table, Chess, Backgammon, Cards
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Directoire style walnut game table features a double sided removable top with an inlaid chessboard of lemonwood and walnut on one side and a felt ...
Bronze
Directoire Provincial Cherrywood Tric Trac Table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top that lifts off and can reverse as a felt lined games table, with lid removed it exposes a backgammon playing surface with different inlaid woods. a small drawer ...
Cherry