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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Maison Baguès Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès style French gueridon table. Has a smoked glass top.
Brass
Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Gilt Gueridon Table with Marble Ramsay Style
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
18th Century Directoire Gueridon
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th century Directoire gueridon with original paint.
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
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
Maison Jansen Occasional Table
Located in East Hampton, NY
Elegant marble-top table with a steel and brass base in the French Regency style.
Marble, Brass, Steel
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
$1,870
H 24.5 in Dm 22 in
Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Gilt Gueridon Table with Marble Ramsay Style
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
$4,850
H 30.5 in Dm 20.5 in
Fine French Louis XVI Style Gilt Wood Carved Guéridon Side Table with Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Louis XVI Style Gilt Wood Carved Guéridon Side Table with Marble Top. The circular gilt wood carved apron with an acanthus tied leaf wreath, raised on four fluted carved leg...
Marble
$1,675
H 22 in Dm 12 in
Neoclassical Gueridon Drink Table in Brushed Steel & Brass Maison Jansen Style
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
High Quality Italian Rams Head & Hoof Foot Brushed Steel and Brass Neoclassical Style Gueridon Drink Table with thick 3/4" glass top. Features classic cast solid brass rams head and ...
Brass, Steel
A French Bronze Gueridon, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Bronze Gueridon, 19th Century The bronze cross frame base to black stone inset top. A fine traditional Campaign form having Bronze Strap frames with the legs terminating in...
Stone, Bronze
19th century French Empire Mahogany and black marble Gueridon table
Located in Malton, GB
This is a very smart 19th century French empire Gueridon table. The columned base with ormolu decoration is in extremely good condition as is the black marble with only a few light s...
Mahogany
Sold|$4,730 / set
H 26 in Dm 28 in
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
$2,000
H 28 in Dm 27.25 in
Maison Jansen Style Round Brass Gueridon with Scroll Arms and Lion Claw Feet
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A rare and highly decorative round side table or gueridon in the manner of Maison Jansen. This piece features a refined Neoclassical silhouette combined with the bold, luxurious elem...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Marble Topped Gueridon
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French Charles X marble-topped gueridon with its original marble top. This lovely gueridon is in its totally original condition and has very few signs of wear. Featur...
Marble
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 Late Nineteenth Century Brass and Marble Gueridon
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, England
A refined gueridon, after a design by Jacob-Desmalter with brass tripod base, the uprights with scrolls to the top and terminating in paw feet, the top and second tier with original ...
Marble, Brass
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
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 19 in
Wonderful Pair Directoire French Bronze Gueridon Side Tables Black Marble Tops
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Bronze Gueridon Directoire Side Tables With Black Marble / Granite Inset Tops Leading To Paw Feet.
Granite, 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