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Directoire Wall Decorations

DIRECTOIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Directoire
French Directoire Period Floral Painted Panel in Gilded Frame, circa 1790
French Directoire Period Floral Painted Panel in Gilded Frame, circa 1790

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...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Carved Walnut Panel Commemorating The French Revolution
French Carved Walnut Panel Commemorating The French Revolution

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.

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Walnut

Large Pair of French Directoire over Door Panels
Large Pair of French Directoire over Door Panels

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.  

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint, Plaster, Wood

Circle of François Boucher – "Venus and Cupid" – Oil on canvas – 18th century
Circle of François Boucher – "Venus and Cupid" – Oil on canvas – 18th century

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...

Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

18th Century Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Angel Wall Shelves
18th Century Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Angel Wall Shelves

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...

Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold Leaf

"19th Century French Directoire Panoramic Wallpaper Panels, Framed"
"19th Century French Directoire Panoramic Wallpaper Panels, Framed"

"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...

Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet
Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet

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...

Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Painted Still Lifes on Panels

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...

Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Terracotta Frieze
French Directoire Terracotta Frieze

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

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Terracotta

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18th Century Oil Painting of Cupid, Unsigned, Canvas, Good Condition
18th Century Oil Painting of Cupid, Unsigned, Canvas, Good Condition

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...

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18th Century Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Canvas, Wood, Paint

Wall Iroko Wood Shelves Beveled Mirror & Marquetry Art Nouveau Late 19th Century
Wall Iroko Wood Shelves Beveled Mirror & Marquetry Art Nouveau Late 19th Century

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...

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1890s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Brass

19th Century Red Painted Architectural Panel with Carved Golden Rinceaux Motifs
19th Century Red Painted Architectural Panel with Carved Golden Rinceaux Motifs

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...

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19th Century Indonesian Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Art Deco Bronze Floral Motif Architectural Panel
Art Deco Bronze Floral Motif Architectural Panel

Art Deco Bronze Floral Motif Architectural Panel

$476Sale Price|20% Off

H 22.75 in W 12 in D 0.25 in

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.

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20th Century Italian Directoire Wall Decorations

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Bronze

Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel
Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel

Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel

$14,000

H 43 in W 59 in D 2.5 in

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...

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19th Century Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Wall Panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975
Ceramic Wall Panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975

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.  

Category

20th Century French Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Large Gilt Scroll Wood Shelves
Pair of Large Gilt Scroll Wood Shelves

Pair of Large Gilt Scroll Wood Shelves

$1,012 / set

H 13.39 in W 12.41 in D 7.29 in

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 – ...

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Late 20th Century Indonesian Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood

Carved Georgian Architectural Frieze Panel
Carved Georgian Architectural Frieze Panel

Carved Georgian Architectural Frieze Panel

$2,396

H 7.88 in W 43.71 in D 1.38 in

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...

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Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Pine

A repoussage copper panel from the 1970s France.
A repoussage copper panel from the 1970s France.

A repoussage copper panel from the 1970s France.

$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...

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1970s French Vintage Directoire Wall Decorations

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Copper

19th Century Renaissance Marble Relief
19th Century Renaissance Marble Relief

19th Century Renaissance Marble Relief

$1,754

H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 2.76 in

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 ...

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19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Marble

Mid 19th century Scandinavian pine wall shelves
Mid 19th century Scandinavian pine wall shelves

Mid 19th century Scandinavian pine wall shelves

$1,478

H 27.25 in W 33.25 in D 8.3 in

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...

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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Pine

Previously Available Items
19th Century French Directoire Walnut Wall Vitrine with Glass Door and Drawer
19th Century French Directoire Walnut Wall Vitrine with Glass Door and Drawer

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...

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Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Walnut

19th Century Painted Screen
19th Century Painted Screen

19th Century Painted Screen

Sold

H 67 in W 54 in D 1 in

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...

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Canvas

French Directoire Style Bronze Wall Panels
French Directoire Style Bronze Wall Panels

French Directoire Style Bronze Wall Panels

Sold

H 63 in W 21.66 in D 0.4 in

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 ...

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Late 20th Century French Directoire Wall Decorations

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Bronze

Early 19th Century Directoire Italian Display Case Walnut Tabletop Showcase
Early 19th Century Directoire Italian Display Case Walnut Tabletop Showcase

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...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Painted Iron Architectural Elements
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Painted Iron Architectural Elements

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.

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Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Iron

Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques
Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques

Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques

Sold

H 15.5 in W 20.75 in D 0.75 in

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.

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Late 18th Century Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Paper

Large 19th Century French Hand-Colored Aquatints by Debucourt, a Pair
Large 19th Century French Hand-Colored Aquatints by Debucourt, a Pair

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, ...

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19th Century Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

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Wood, Paper

Red Napoleon III Tole Tray
Red Napoleon III Tole Tray

Red Napoleon III Tole Tray

Sold

H 1.25 in W 27 in D 21.25 in

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.

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Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Watercolor Period Directoire
Watercolor Period Directoire

Watercolor Period Directoire

Sold

H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 1.97 in

Watercolor Period Directoire

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Watercolor period Directoire, period frame, 19th century. Measures: H 45cm, W 50cm, W 5cm.

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Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Pair of 18th Century French Neoclassical Carved Wood Urns
Pair of 18th Century French Neoclassical Carved Wood Urns

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. ...

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1890s French Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Market Scene in Paris by Egron Sillif Lundgren
Market Scene in Paris by Egron Sillif Lundgren

Market Scene in Paris by Egron Sillif Lundgren

Sold

H 11.75 in W 14.75 in D 1.5 in

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...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Directoire wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, canvas and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Louis Leopold Boilly, and Egron Sillif Lundgren. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $575 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $1,879.