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.
Simple and Sophisticated French Travertine Marble Metal and Brass Gueridon Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your space with the simple yet sophisticated charm of this French Travertine Marble, Metal, and Brass Gueridon Table. A perfect blend of timeless materials and elegant design...
Travertine, Brass, Steel
Fine Pair of French Brass and Marble Gueridons End Tables Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Pair of Exquisite French Directoire Style Brass and Marble Gueridon Tables, circa 1960s This sophisticated pair of French Directoire style gueridon or end tables from the 1960s perf...
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Brass and Steel Jansen Style Glass Top Gueridon End Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of French brass and steel Jansen-style gueridon end tables seamlessly blends luxury with modern craftsmanship, offering a striking and sophisticated addition to any interio...
Brass, Steel
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Walnut Gueridon Side Table Directoire Period A beautifully crafted walnut gueridon features a red, white and grey variegated marble set into a turned moulded frame. The frieze...
Marble
A Superb Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Guéridons
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A refined pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze guéridons with inset black fossil marble tops. Each table is raised on three elegantly tapered legs terminating in well-articula...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Directoire Style Pair of Side Tables with Rams' Heads and Hoof Feet
Located in Savannah, GA
An Italian Directoire style vintage steel pair of side tables or gueridons from the mid 20th century, with brass rams' heads and hoofed feet. Created in Italy during the midcentury p...
Brass, Steel
Maison Jansen-style Guéridon Marble and Gilt Bronze Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
The “ancestor” of this piece, a guéridon, was a small and typically round table that originated in mid-17th century France for holding a candelabrum to light the room or a vase. Even...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 1890-1900 Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons. Each with very fine ormolu mounts as well as hand-carved marble tops. Exceptional details on the ormolu i...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
1980s French Directoire Style Cherry Guéridon Side Table With Swan Design
Located in Charleston, SC
A classy French Directoire style guéridon side table with circular top made of high quality cherry. The table features three beautifully carved legs resting on a curved base and ador...
Cherry
Fine Quality French Sword and Scabbard Form Marble Top Gueridon Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Add a touch of regal French flair to your interior with this fine quality French sword and scabbard form marble top gueridon table, a masterfully crafted ...
Marble, Brass
French Directoire Style 1880s Guéridon Table of Ebonized Wood with Swan Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French ebonized wood Directoire style guéridon side table with grey marble top and swan motifs from the late 19th century. This French table features a round variegated grey marble...
Marble
Maison Jansen Style Brass Ram's Head Gueridon or Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Brass ram's head Maison Jansen style two-tier side table, smoked glass top.
Brass
Directoire Style Athenienne Stand in Gilt Bronze and Porcelain, 1900 Period
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style athenienne stand table in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a tripod fluted and tapered support on lion’s paw feet. They’re joined bottom by a concave stretcher f...
Bronze
Directoire Style Guéridon Table, Onyx & Bronze, Paw Feet, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning onyx and bronze Directoire style guéridon with paw feet. Lower onyx shelf and central finial.
Onyx, Bronze
Maison Baguès Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès style French gueridon table. Has a smoked glass top.
Brass
Fine Pair of French Bronze and Malachite Directoire Gueridons Mid 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of early to mid 20th century French gilt bronze and malachite topped gueridon cigarette tables.
Malachite, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Gilt Gueridon Table with Marble
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A refined Art Deco–style round side table featuring a gilt iron base and a sleek black marble top. The circular stone surface, with its subtle natural veining and polished finish, pr...
Marble, Iron
Pair Rare Dore' Bronze French Directoire Malachite Adorned Gueridon End Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely rare pair of Directoire bronze and malachite which has for centuries been a stone that is believed to protect against negative energies from the spiritual...
Malachite, Bronze
French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style (20th Century) gilt bronze end table with 3 scroll legs and inset round pink and black speckled marble top and shelf.
Marble
18th Century Directoire Gueridon
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th century Directoire gueridon with original paint.
Directoire Style Bronze And Burl Walnut Guéridon
Located in Essex, MA
Circular inset black granite top with metal banded edge and three faux bamboo cluster column supports joining a lower tripartite stretcher. Ending on bronze capped saber legs.
Granite, Bronze
Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine Karelian wood tri-pod table with brass mounts in the Directoire taste with polished verdigris stone top.
Round Marble Top Gueridon Table With Mahogany Shelves
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage round marble top gueridon table with a brass rail, brass legs and mahogany shelves. At the heart of this gueridon table is a round white carrara marble top, exuding a luxur...
Carrara Marble
1970s Ram's Head Iron & Leather Gueridon Side Table with Embossed Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Handsome ram's head tripod drinks table with grey leather embossed top.
Iron
Jansen Style Steel and Brass End Tables - a pair
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning pair of end tables in the manner of Maison Jansen. Unique square steel leg design with brass accents. Signature brass acorn finial tie it all together. Thick 1/2" glass. Cur...
Brass, Steel
$15,386
H 37.01 in W 18.51 in D 14.97 in
Italy 18th Century Louis XV Walnut Side Table Gueridon with Drawings
Located in Brescia, IT
18th Century Louis XV Italian (Tuscany) walnut side table with drawings. It was a work table to contain embroidery accessories, a very charming piece. It shows a beautiful proportio...
Walnut
$4,500 / set
H 21.5 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in
Pair of Maison Jansen French Side Tables with Brass Rams Head and Hoof Detail
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Pair of French Neoclassical style end tables by Maison Jansen. They are made from curved brushed steel and the tops are supported by finely chiseled brass rams heads and hooves.
Brass, Steel
$2,297Sale Price|54% Off
H 28 in W 28.5 in D 28.5 in
Gueridon Table Patinated and Gilt-Bronze with Marble Top
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Italian 1930s Painted Wood Guéridon Table with Gilt Accents and Hoofed Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian painted wood guéridon side table from the mid-20th century, with gilded accents and hoof legs. Born in Italy during the first half of the 20th century, this unusual guérid...
Wood
$2,745Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.43 in Dm 12.01 in
Spanish Carved Alabaster Gueridon Table / Side Table, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Carved Alabaster Art Deco Gueridon Table Spain, 1940s Outstanding Gueridon Side Table / Drinks Table in Turned Alabaster. Manufactured at the Late Art Deco Period. Elegant al...
Alabaster
$24,599 / set
H 29.14 in Dm 20.08 in
Pair Louis XVI Style French Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Ormolu Gueridons Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair Louis XVI Style French Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Ormolu Gueridons Tables French, 20th Century Height 74cm, diameter 51cm This refined pair of French occasional tables offers a ...
Marble, Ormolu
Maison Jansen Style Chrome Gueridon
Located in Astoria, NY
Maison Jansen style chromed metal gueridon side table with round glass top. Measures: 26.5" height x 27" diameter.
Metal, Chrome
$1,875 / set
H 24 in Dm 15 in
Pair French Mid-Century-Style Iron and Steel Gueridons or Drinks Tables-24 Inch
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a striking French minimalist neoclassical-inspired pair of wrought iron and steel gueridons or drinks tables. These petits gueridons were inspired by a pair of mid-century French iron drinks...
Cut Steel, Wrought Iron
Pair of Brass Marble Top Gueridons
Located in North Bergen, NJ
A pair of brass marble top gueridons having scrolling down swept legs raised on tri-corner plinths with stylized feet.
Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th/19th Century Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table
Marble, Bronze
Fine Quality French Directoire Solid Bronze and Marble Gueridon End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Brass. Marble. 29 1/4" h x 29 1/4" diameter. Condition Scratches. Oxidation. Dimensions 30 x 30 x 30 in
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
20th Century two tier brass and glass gueridon
By La Barge
Located in Winnetka, IL
An Italian "Hollywood Regency" 2 -tier polished brass and glass guéridon having graceful figural swan supports ending in hoof feet.All . In the Directoire -style from the 1980s. Po...
Brass
A Pair Of Gilt Bronze And White Marble Guèridon Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Gilt Bronze With White Marble Guèridon Tables. The set features small round tables with the marble top raised on three in-curved supports joined by a marble inset undershelf ...
Marble, Bronze
Superb Gold Dore' Bronze and Malachite French Directoire Gueridon End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superbly crafted French malachite gueridon with the mysterious and magical qualities some attribute to the stone on top that is believed to protect people from negative ene...
Malachite, Bronze
Sold
H 23.25 in W 22.75 in D 22.75 in
Pair Rams Head Maison Jansen Brass and Steel Marble Top Gueridon Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Maison Jansen gueridon tables exudes timeless French elegance with their sophisticated blend of brass, steel, and marble craftsmanship. Each table features a sleek circu...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Steel
Sold
H 26.25 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Pair of Solid Brass or Bronze Patinated Gueridons by Century Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of solid brass or bronze patinated gueridons by the renowned Century Furniture Company reflects superior craftsmanship and timeless mid-century elegance. Featuring round to...
Brass
19th Century Fruitwood & Marble Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large French fruitwood and marble gueridon made during the 1800’s. This table has its original St. Anne marble top inset into a fruitwood frame. The apron houses two felt top slide...
Marble
Sold
H 27 in Dm 29.5 in
Pair Directoire Highly Naturalistic Rams Head Dore' Bronze Marble Top Gueridons
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb pair of dore' gilt bronze gueridons with incredible workmanship and bright 23kt gold dore' finishing. The rams heads are superbly cast and highly naturalistic and we...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century French Directoire Marble Top, Bronze and Brass Guéridon Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room with this elegant neoclassical antique two-tier gueridon table. Created in France circa 1970, and round in shape, the table is supported by three slender cabri...
Marble, Bronze, Brass
Pair Of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Gueridon
Located in Essex, MA
Circular black marble top set in a conforming bronze frame with three incurved legs headed by birds heads and rings, lower conforming shelf. Splayed legs with stretcher with central ...
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Gueridons, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted mahogany Gueridons with lower shelver & marble tops, France.
Marble, Bronze