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.
French Directoire Period Floral Painted Panel in Gilded Frame, circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire period framed painted panel from the late 18th century, with floral motifs. Born in France during the later years of the 18th century, this exquisite decorative p...
Wood, Paint
French Carved Walnut Panel Commemorating The French Revolution
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly made to be used as a model or mold to cast an iron fireback. Depicting the Bastille and a woman with the sword and the scales. Also cannons, flags, cannon balls.
Walnut
$13,850Sale Price|60% Off
French 18th-19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 18th-19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ...
Copper
$16,000 / set
Large Pair of French Directoire over Door Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French Directoire over door panels depicting two cherubs and a swan.
Paint, Plaster, Wood
Circle of François Boucher – "Venus and Cupid" – Oil on canvas – 18th century
Located in Madrid, ES
An elegant 18th-century oil on canvas, attributable to the circle of François Boucher, depicting Venus, goddess of love and beauty, accompanied by Cupid (Amore). Seated on clouds, cr...
Canvas
$2,720Sale Price|39% Off
18th Century Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Angel Wall Shelves
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of superb and monumental 1700's Italian gilt wood angel wall shelves. These hand carved wood wall bracket shelves have incredible details and wonderful gold leaf gilding. Such...
Gold Leaf
"19th Century French Directoire Panoramic Wallpaper Panels, Framed"
Located in Wichita, KS
19th c. wood-block printed French panoramic wallpaper scenes in the Directoire style very likely by the premier French manufacturer, Zuber & Cie. Presenting a panorama of park an...
Wood, Paint, Paper
Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet
By Jean François Janinet
Located in Paris, FR
Suite of 5 Directoire-period etchings and aquatint engravings depicting scenes from antiquity, after drawings by Jean-Guillaume MOITTE (1746-1810), author, and by the engraver Jean F...
Paper
Schumacher Four Yards of Vintage Chintz, Original Chandler Price Tag
By Schumacher
Located in Sharon, CT
Rare Schumacher vintage Chintz. Gorgeous flowers in vases patterned chintz. Retains the original Chandler, Boston price tag. Four yards. Signed on the s...
Fabric
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
$6,683 / set
French Directoire Terracotta Frieze
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A carved frieze of three terracotta panels of dancing maidens: French Directoire From the frieze of a rotunda. Repaired breaks
Terracotta
18th Century Oil Painting of Cupid, Unsigned, Canvas, Good Condition
Located in Kent, CT
An 18th Century oil-on-canvas painting of cupid in a parcel gilt frame. Seemingly unsigned. Not examined outside of frame. In good antique condition for its age, but could benefit fr...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$1,590
H 28.15 in W 29.93 in D 7.09 in
Wall Iroko Wood Shelves Beveled Mirror & Marquetry Art Nouveau Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Iroko and wood mural shelves of the Art Nouveau period with a balustrade, columns drawers and niche. Very fine details: you can observe the elaborate balustrade and the marquetry in...
Brass
$1,438
H 24 in W 76 in D 3 in
19th Century Red Painted Architectural Panel with Carved Golden Rinceaux Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique carved and painted architectural panel from the 19th century, with rinceaux motifs. This exquisite 19th-century carved and painted architectural panel captures the eye wit...
Wood
Art Deco Bronze Floral Motif Architectural Panel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco bronze floral motif architectural panel, each one of rectangular form with pierced floral still life.
Bronze
Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased from Hollyhock in West Hollywood, California. A large panel in ecru paint with carved painted and gilt high relief decoration- a gilt bow and swags at the top over a basket of fruits with a garden rake...
Wood
$5,261
H 39.77 in W 25.6 in D 1.58 in
Ceramic Wall Panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975
By Pierre Digan
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic wall panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975. The base is in wood. Very good original conditions.
Ceramic
$4,900
H 30.5 in W 51.5 in D 2.25 in
Antique Spanish Wall Pediment 'or Headboard' w/Original Floral-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish carved-wood wall hanging pediment with it's original painted finish from the 19th century. This antique wooden architectural pl...
Wood
Pair of Large Gilt Scroll Wood Shelves
Located in London, GB
This lovely pair of shelf units are gilt wood and shaped in a decorative curled scroll design. Each shelf measures 12 3/8 in – 31.5 cm wide, 13 3/8 in – ...
Giltwood
Carved Georgian Architectural Frieze Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An original Georgian architectural pine frieze panel c.1800, handcarved with scallop shell to the centre and scrolling foliage. Fitted with strin...
Wood, Pine
$627Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.01 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
A repoussage copper panel from the 1970s France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A repoussage copper panel from the 1970s, depicting a stylized owl, is a beautiful piece of French craftsmanship. Repoussage, a technique where the metal is worked and hammered to cr...
Copper
19th Century Renaissance Marble Relief
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century Renaissance marble relief. The relief is carved to the Renaissance taste and is in very good condition. It is framed in a later frame ...
Marble
Mid 19th century Scandinavian pine wall shelves
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Scandinavian pine wall shelves circa 1860. We are pleased to offer these original and rare wall mounted shelf unit. Very practical everyday antique, which is fixed...
Pine
Sold
H 39 in W 26.5 in D 10 in
19th Century French Directoire Walnut Wall Vitrine with Glass Door and Drawer
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique vitrine was crafted in southern France, circa 1830. The wall cabinet with roof shape bonnet top, is decorated with baluster columns on the sides. The curio cabinet features a single door with the original wavy glass panel and dressed with the original hand shape brass pull. The cabinet is further decorated with a small drawer under the door. The inside is dressed with a center shelf, and upholstered with a salmon velvet fabric. The narrow wall cabinet...
Glass, Walnut
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
19th Century Painted Screen
Located in New Orleans, LA
Certainly a wonderful addition to any room with a pailette of many colors and an interesting scene of many characters! Screens can be easily mounted on a wall and can set the tone of...
Canvas
French Directoire Style Bronze Wall Panels
Located in Sherborne, GB
French Directoire style bronze wall mounted panels, the classic X-frame panels with central diamond made from molten enamel. So stylish, these panels can be wall mounted to give ...
Bronze
Sold
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 10.24 in
Early 19th Century Directoire Italian Display Case Walnut Tabletop Showcase
Located in Milano, MI
Early 19th century Italian glazed walnut tabletop, a display cabinet, theca from Arezzo, Italy, Tuscany region. Sliding opening of the back walnut pane...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 56.5 in W 19 in D 2 in
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Painted Iron Architectural Elements
Located in Atlanta, GA
Directoire iron architectural elements in distressed white/cream painted finish, 19th century, France Dimensions: A) 19" W X 56.5" H; B) 19" W X 54" H.
Iron
Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of late 18th century hand-colored French Vue d’Optiques, “Vue du Chateau de St. Germain en Laye,” and “Le Jardin et le Palais du Luxembourg a Paris,” framed.
Paper
Large 19th Century French Hand-Colored Aquatints by Debucourt, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A pair of large 19th century French hand-colored aquatints by Philibert Louis Debucourt (1755-1832) after Carl Vernet (1758-1836). One aquatint is is depicting Prussian cuirassier, ...
Wood, Paper
Red Napoleon III Tole Tray
Located in Doylestown, PA
French red and gilt hand painted Directoire/Emire tole tray, classical chariot and horses scene, late 18th-early 19th Century.
Metal
Watercolor Period Directoire
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Watercolor period Directoire, period frame, 19th century. Measures: H 45cm, W 50cm, W 5cm.
Paper
Pair of 18th Century French Neoclassical Carved Wood Urns
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of late 18th century French carved and painted oak wall appliques in the form of urns. Each urn carved with swags and florets, with asymmetrical flames spouting from the tops. ...
Market Scene in Paris by Egron Sillif Lundgren
By Egron Sillif Lundgren
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A market scene in Paris by Egron Sillif Lundgren, (Swedish, 1815-1875), Pencil, touches of red and heightened with white on buff paper. Size: 7" inche...
Paper