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.
Period French Directior Leather Topped Writing Table.
Located in Hudson, NY
This beautiful period writing table was constructed in France circa 1790 to 1800 of rich imported mahogany and the woods have been carefully selected to create an overall pattern of ...
Leather, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Mahogany Drop Leaf Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century French directoire period mahogany drop leaf table is a fine example of French craftsmanship melded with practicality! When closed, this piece makes a great sofa ta...
Mahogany
17th Century Extension Table from Switzerland
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Fine 17th century table with two extensions coming from Switzerland This uncommun extension table has a very beautiful base with Fine carvings and t...
Wood
17th Century Spanish Walnut Wood Table
Located in Casteren, NL
Antique Spanish table with 17th century wrought iron and walnut wood base with 19th century restored top. Originates Spain, dating circa 175...
Chestnut
$10,721Sale Price|57% Off
H 31 in W 101 in D 32 in
17th Century Oak Refectory Table, Charles II Period
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare English 17th-century oak refectory table. Charles II-period, ca 1675. The three-plank cleated detachable top is of superb color, figuring and patination. Raised on six baluster supports united by stretchers. The frieze is guilloche-carved on all four sides: this demonstrates that this table can be free-standing. Many of these were only carved on three sides. This versatile refectory table can be used as a hall table, dining table, serving table, or a wonderful kitchen table. A number of early oak pieces which we have sold have harmonized very well with modern interiors. A similar-sized refectory table (in generally poor condition) sold for £17,000.00 plus buyer's premium, in Duke's auctioneers ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE sale, Puddletown, Dorset, UK, 9th Oct, 2019. Nb. The turning of the supports on this antique table indicates a development away from an earlier, heavy, carved bulbous leg, to a simpler baluster leg of the late-seventeenth century. However the guilloche-carved frieze is a hint of an earlier period. Some historic restoration commensurate with 350 years of use. Overall in superb condition. Dimensions: 8’5’' L. (256.5 cm) 2’8’' W. (81 cm) 2'7'’ H. (79 cm). Literature: R. W. Symonds 'The Present State of Old English Furniture...
Oak
Regency Period Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine period English writing table or desk of mahogany from the Regency Era, circa 1825, featuring an inset rectangular embossed leather top with a reeded edge around the circumfere...
Metal, Brass
French Coffee table early 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
Large-sized country coffee table. Original from France, early 19th century. In good condition. Beautiful colour and patina. With drawer at front. Dimensions: 122L x 102W x 49H
Wood
$2,195
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 19 in
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Period Walnut Writing Table with Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale late eighteenth century French Louis XVI period walnut lady's writing desk features a gold tooled black leather top. A single drawer pulls out from the side using a ...
Bronze
$4,800
H 31 in W 21.63 in D 12.75 in
French Marble Top Writing Table, Tooled-Leather Writing Surface, on Casters
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Marble-Top Writing Table on Casters, Pull-Out Drawer, Gilt Tooled-Leather Writing Surface above the drawer, lower storage shelf. Versatile in its design and size, beautiful w...
Marble
Early 19th Century Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb mahogany extension table from the early 19th century Very beautiful Restoration period table with fluted legs ending with small bronzes table has three extensions with bands...
Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany Tripod Round Small Side Table
Located in Sofia, BG
Fine mahogany side table with round top resting on tripod hand carved leg. Very good condition with no restorations. France, circa 1860.
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A charming antique Victorian leather top writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period. It is very well made and is a lovely, compact siz...
Leather, Wood
17th Century Jacobean Oak Refectory Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period Early 17th Century English Jacobean Oak Refectory Table. Incredible patina with carved elements throughout. Original stretchers. St...
Oak
18th Century Drop Leaf Directoire Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant late-18th century French Directoire dining table crafted from richly figured walnut, embodying the restrained neoclassicism t...
Walnut
French 17th Century Solid Oak Extending Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A robust, solid oak extending dining table hand-crafted in 17th century France circa 1680. Gnarled knots, beautiful grain, and an incredible range of textures give the thick tabletop...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 31 in W 38 in D 12 in
French Louis XVI Style Walnut Marble Top Bronze Mounted Sofa Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic small and extremely narrow table with a finished back that can be used as a sofa table. The table is brass and bronze mounted and has a gorgeous slab of carrara m...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 30.75 in W 62 in D 20 in
French Directoire Style Ebonized Console or Sofa Table Oblong Marble Top Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Directoire style console table, overall ebonized, the richly detailed beige oblong marble with bronze banding supported on a narrow frieze, raised...
Marble
Directoire Style French Marble-Top Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Marble galleried top Directoire style console with two drawers and bottom shelf.
Marble
Sold
H 30.75 in W 62 in D 20 in
French Directoire Style Ebonized Console or Sofa Table Oblong Marble Top Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Directoire style console table, overall ebonized, the richly detailed beige oblong marble with bronze banding supported on a narrow frieze, raised...
Marble
Grand 19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Marble Top Console
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand 19th century French Directoire mahogany marble top console was designed for a spacious wall or passageway, and in an obviously affluent home due to the choice of the finest imp...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 48 in D 22 in
Black and Gold Louis XVI French Jansen Style Faux Marble-Top Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful late 20th century carved wood Louis XVI French style console table. This contemporary decorator table features a faux marble painted top, carved wood base finished in black...
Wood
Sold
H 27 in W 54 in D 17 in
Vintage Italian Brushed Steel & Brass Directoire Neoclassical Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant vintage Italian brushed steel and brass console table in the manner of Maison Jansen. Item features a rectangular form with solid brass gallery, inset glass top, brushed stee...
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century Walnut Directoire Server
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Directoire server with a single drawer on four column legs and perimeter stretchers. Beautiful patina. Wood is walnut.
Walnut
French Directoire Style Console Table
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire style console table in painted cherry with gold leaf details and brass trim. We love the angled legs and the great storage with two dovetailed drawers and b...
French Directoire Style Console Table
Located in Austin, TX
Vintage French Directoire style console table with single dovetailed drawer and bottom shelf.
French Vintage Directoire Style Painted Console Table
Located in Austin, TX
French Directoire style console table with patinated white finish, two dovetailed drawers with bronze hardware and bottom shelf. Lines are pure, craftsmanship flawless.
Cherry
Directoire Style Sideboard
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
French Directoire style fruitwood sideboard or sofa table made up of 18th century and later elements. Most of the elements this sideboard are made from are antique. This sideboard ha...
Brass