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.
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Late 18th Century Mahogany Directoire Server
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Original condition with a beautiful natural patina.
Mahogany
18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Wine Table with Gray Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire wine tasting table in mahogany with a gray marble top and brass inserts to hold wine bottles. This table dates from the late 18th century and is still very funct...
Marble, Brass
$2,195
H 31.5 in W 19 in D 12.5 in
Late 18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Side Table or Nightstand
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late eighteenth century French Directoire period walnut side table or nightstand features a Saint Anne marble top surrounded by a pierced bronze gallery. Three drawers of doveta...
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th C English Mahogany Three Tier Server with Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this circa 1900 mahogany server table has a top with two drawers that have a functional lock and two lower tier shelves. Decorative turned legs in the front,nicely ...
Mahogany
$68,910
H 31.11 in W 44.89 in D 29.53 in
Rare German Rococo 18th Century Period Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very unusual and superb Rococo console table from the mid-18th century. On four carved legs with an X-shaped stretcher, overall with scrolls and dolphin-like sea creatures. This ex...
Marble
$15,066
H 33.08 in W 45.28 in D 22.84 in
Gustavian Late 18th Century Neoclassical Swedish, White-Painted Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Carved wood with original white paint, carved giltwood rosettes, original grey white-veined marble top. The rectangular top above a Greek key frieze with applied rosettes on square t...
Marble
$942Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.38 in Dm 29.93 in
18th Century Georgian Mahogany Tilt-Top Birdcage Supper Table for Side Wine
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian mahogany tilt-top birdcage supper table from the 18th century. A rare early piece, it is structurally sound with secure joints and a functional catch. The table feat...
Wood
19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Boulliotte Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
The product is a set of two 19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Boulliotte Tables, exuding a classic elegance. Made from high-quality mahogany, with brass details and marble to...
Marble, Brass
$1,051
H 27.56 in W 28.75 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Art Deco Mahogany Trolley Table, Brass, Excellent Condition, 1950s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco serving table (Trolley). Perfect restored condition. Period: 1950-1959 Source: Czechia (Bohemia) Material: Mahogany, brass.
Brass
19th Century French Gray Marble-Top Mahogany Center Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century French Restoration period marble-top center table. Mahogany with carved paw foot legs and bold turning. Original dark grey marble top with molded edge.
Marble
$3,895Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 73 in D 28.5 in
18th Century Three-Drawer Antique Cherrywood Server
Located in Billingshurst, GB
18th century three-drawer antique cherrywood server, standing on Silhouette cabriole legs with three deep storage drawers. The piece has a three plank c...
Cherry
French 19th Century Directoire Red Marble Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This fruitwood occasional table is topped with an inset piece of stunning red Rosso Francia marble and surrounded by a 3/4th gallery over an apron with a single drawer. The drawer co...
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
French Pastry Table with Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Steel and Brass French Pastry Table with Marble Top by J. Mareschal, Paris. This charming table was designed for use in patisseries where marble tops were favored f...
Marble, Brass, Steel
$8,520
H 28.75 in W 115.5 in D 54 in
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
Sold
H 28 in W 20 in D 9 in
French Directoire Three-Tier Oak Dessert Stand Side Table by Theodore Alexander
Located in Plainview, NY
Three-Tier Oak Dessert Stand Side Table by Theodore Alexander: A finely crafted small three-tier étagère dessert stand or side table in the French Directoire style by Theodore Alex...
Bronze
Sold
H 32 in W 33.25 in D 17.5 in
Fine Quality Forged Brass and Black and White Marble Directoire Beverage Cart
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb hand-forged brass and black and white marble two tier bar or liquor cart. of course you can use it for pastries or wine. The piece is in very good condition and has ...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Sold
H 34.5 in W 36.25 in D 16 in
French Louis XVI Period Mahogany, Marble-Top, and Brass Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A classic Louis XVI period marble top console/ etagere has a pierced brass gallery over one slender brass inlaid drawer, and a shelf connected by four reeded and brass decorated legs...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 34.5 in W 39.5 in D 15 in
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Console Tables
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of early 19th century French Directoire period console tables are constructed of solid mahogany and feature their original black marble tops with visible imbedded fossils. ...
Marble
Sold
H 34.26 in W 39.38 in D 12.01 in
Antique French Directoire Buffet Sideboard Serving Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique French Directoire ormolu mounted flame mahogany marble topped buffet, dating from Circa 1840. It features a striking serpentine galleried inset white Carrara marble top above a decorative panelled frieze. This is above two open undertiers supported by ormolu mounted fluted columns. The cabinet is raised on reeded toupie feet that terminate in ormolu sabots. Add a touch of elegance to a special room in your home with this superb antique serving table...
Marble, Ormolu
Sold
H 27.25 in Dm 14 in
Petite Directoire Gueridon Marble Top Serving Table. Preserved. Circa 1790-1805
Located in San Francisco, CA
Petite Directoire Guéridon Serving Table Circa 1790-1805 Faded walnut with the original gray marble top. A small candle slide / pull out beneath the top. Very beautiful form with goo...
Marble
Sold
H 31 in W 32 in D 18 in
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer and Brass Gallery Dessert Liquor Tea Trolley Cart
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous oval signed Maison Jansen dessert or tea cart. It could be also used for serving liquor or drinks. The cart is in very good vintage condition. The cart measures 31...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 27 in D 16.5 in
19th Century French Directoire Style "Rafraichir" with Carrara Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century French Directoire style "Rafracichir" ( wine table ) a pretty carrara marble top. An decorative and interesting piece!!
Carrara Marble, Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 23.63 in D 13.39 in
Italian 1940s Bar Cart, Directoire Massive & Veneer Walnut Restored, Waxpolished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian 1940s bar cart, service little table, directory style, with legs in carved massive walnut and tops in veneer walnut, restored and wax-polished. ...
Walnut
18th Century French Directoire Walnut Wine Table
Located in Dallas, TX
An 18th century French Directoire walnut rafraichissoire wine serving table.
Nahon of New York City French Directoire Style Server Buffet Sideboard
By Sahon Tradition Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Directoire style server by Nahon with two drawers, ebonized top, brass hardware and on casters.
Brass
French Directoire Black Lacquered Server with Carrara Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Nice sized French Directoire server in rich black lacquerer with white Carrara marble with deep grey veins. Brass trim. Today's designers are mad to ...
Carrara Marble, Brass