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.
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair are painted on wood panel and done circa 1760 by a country artist working from life. Each composition is very similar but subtly different and incorporating different leaves...
Wood
18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Scene Painted Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 18th century Italian painted panel featuring chinoiserie images. Vibrant colors of blue, pink, green and gold. Such an interesting piece ...
Wood
$1,959
H 16.93 in W 14.97 in D 1.58 in
Late 18th Century Dutch / Northern European Flower Still Life on Oak Panel
Located in Seaford, GB
A highly decorative late 18th-century Dutch or Northern European School flower still life, painted in oil on a chamfered oak panel. The composition follows the Dutch still-life trad...
Paint, Oak
18th Century French Pair of Oils on Gold Leaf Panels
Located in North Miami, FL
18th century French pair of oils on gold leaf panels. One is depicting an angel playing the violin, and the other one is holding the music book.
Gold Leaf
$53,628
H 73.82 in W 69.1 in D 2.96 in
18th Century, Italian Painted with Still Life by Francesco Lavagna
By Francesco Lavagna
Located in IT
18th Century, Italian painted with still Life by Francesco Lavagna. The fine and imposing painting, accompanied by a frame in carved and gilded wood, depicts a sumptuous composition...
Canvas
$171,376
H 51.97 in W 55.12 in D 3.15 in
Still-life, attributed to Desportes A-F, oil on canvas, 18th century
Located in NICE, FR
Alexandre-François Desportes (1661–1743) Attributed to “Déjeuner Gras” (Still Life with Lavish Meal) Oil on canvas, 18th century This exceptional 18th-century still life, traditiona...
Canvas
$51,296Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.64 in W 71.66 in D 2.76 in
18th Century, Italian Oil on Canvas Still Life by Pietro Navarra
Located in IT
18th century, Italian oil on canvas still life by Pietro Navarra Oil on canvas, canvas measures: cm H 103 x W 164, framed measures...
Canvas
18th Century Italian Still Life Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautifully executed large-scale still life painting with overflowing fruit, flowers and a parrot. Oil on canvas, in carved, painted and gilt period frame. Signed in lower right corn...
Canvas
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 40 in D 2 in
18th Century Dutch or Flemish Still Life of Fowl and Fruit on Panel
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine 18 possibly even 18 Century Dutch or Flemish still life pianted in oilonthree attached wooden boards i dicative that the artist did not havea single board large enough for the painting. Presented in a carved and gilded wood period frame, the painted wooden panel shows a large bowl of fruit sitting on a table with wild game...
Wood
18th Century Oil on panel of European Nobleman
Located in Montreal, QC
18th Century Oil on panel of European Nobleman
Paint
Italian 18th Century Antique Oil Painting on Canvas, Still Life
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We are pleased to present this 18th-century Italian oil on canvas painting. It is a charming still life with flowers and fruit. The painting depicts a rich composition: bunches of w...
Canvas
$7,770
H 21.66 in W 34.65 in D 1.97 in
Antique Dutch School Floral Still Life Oil Painting Framed Late 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent antique Dutch School floral still life oil on canvas painting with a stunning gilt gesso frame, late 18th century in date. This splendid painting is rectangular in shape and features brightly illuminated pastel-tinted roses and bi-coloured Carnations and Honeysuckle arranged against a ruined wall with trees in the background. Great attention has been paid to individual elements in the bouquet. Indeed each petal has been painted with diligent conscientious precision. It is housed in its magnificent original giltwood frame. Add this splendid antique Dutch painting to a very special wall in your home. Provenance: Property of Archibald Stirling of Keir Condition: In excellent condition the painting and frame having been beautifully cleaned in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 55 x width 88 x depth 5 - frame Height 39 x width 72 - canvas Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 10 inches x width 2 foot, 11 inches x depth 2 inches - frame Height 1 foot, 3 inches x width 2 foot, 4 inches - canvas Archibald Hugh Stirling, Laird of Keir (born 18 September 1941) is a Scottish theatrical producer, a former officer in the Scots Guards,and Laird of the Keir estate at Lecropt in the Stirling council area in Scotland. A still life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural food, flowers, dead animals...
Canvas, Giltwood
$13,989
H 25.6 in W 34.26 in D 1.97 in
Pair of 18th Century Spanish Anonymous "Bodegón" Still Life Oil Canvas
Located in Marbella, ES
Pair of 18th century Spanish anonymous "bodegón" still life oil on canvas with frame, from Mallorca.
Canvas
Sold
H 31.5 in W 40.36 in D 2.76 in
Antique Painting, Mythology Painting with Diana, Oil on Canvas, 18th Century
Located in Breganze, VI
This is an antique Mythology Painting with Diana, end of the 18th Century. This oil painting on canvas has a gold leaf frame. It is a beautiful ancie...
Gold Leaf
Watercolor Period Directoire
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Watercolor period Directoire, period frame, 19th century. Measures: H 45cm, W 50cm, W 5cm.
Paper
Three-Panel French 19th Century Wallpaper Painted Screen
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Three-panel painted French screen. Painted on both sides. Early 19th century. Some paint loss.
Sold
H 22.75 in W 18.5 in D 1 in
Pair of Period French Provincial Directoire Portraits, Late 18th Century
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of period late 18th century Directoire portraits. Married couple. The gentleman in period silk and wool coat. The lady in embroidered silks and stylish hat.