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
$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
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
$6,694 / 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
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
Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet
By Jean François Janinet
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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
$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
Large French 19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ovoid...
Copper
18th century French Carved Wood & Paint Decorated Directoire Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 18th c. French carved wood and paint decorated Directoire wall bracket shelf. Provenance - home of famed Parish-Hadley decorator Albert Hadley, Southport Connecticut. Small s...
Wood
$1,007Sale Price|20% Off
Pointillé Engraving, Entitled Marche Incroyable, Boilly Et Bonnefoy, 18th C
By Louis Leopold Boilly
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Very nice engraving entitled "Marche Incroyable" which represents an amusing parade, gathering different characters in Directoire period costumes. Period: 18th century Edition : ...
Paper
$5,084
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
$70Sale Price|19% Off
H 19.69 in W 39.38 in D 1.19 in
1970s Carved Walnut Decorative Panel - A Timeless Piece of Craftsmanship
Located in Manzano, IT
1970s Carved Walnut Decorative Panel - A Timeless Piece of Craftsmanship This stunning carved walnut decorative panel from the 1970s embodies the elegance and timelessness of fine c...
Walnut
Burl Wood Thick Glass Shelves 3 Bay Wall Unit
By Pace Collection, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mirror chrome polished stainless steel frame, burl wood cabinets, thick glass shelves Mid-Century Modern wall unit. Secretary drop desk compartment....
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$24,000 / set
H 79 in W 27 in D 3 in
Pair of Magnificent Antique French Carved Wood Panels Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Extraordinary Pair of early 20th century carved wood Panels depicting the Four Seasons. Tall narrow unpainted panels with high relief carved decoration with motifs of the Four Sea...
Wood
$2,733
H 14.18 in W 17.92 in D 0.79 in
18th Century Spanish School Still Life Flower Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Marbella, ES
18th century Spanish school still life flowers oil on canvas painting. Dimensions with frame: 44.5 x 54 x .2.5.
Canvas
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
Pair Regency Style Gilt Eagle Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 20th Century Italian Regency Style hand-carved giltwood eagle wall shelves.
Giltwood
$451Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in W 12.01 in D 1.19 in
Decorative Carved Wood Panel, Renaissance Style, France, 19th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Decorative Carved Panel France, 19th Century 15,5 x L 30,5 x 3 cm Carved in richly grained wood, this 19th-century decorative panel draws direct inspiration from Renaissance ornamen...
Wood
Framed Antique Hand Carved Panel
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand carved panel from Toraja. Framed in a Minimalist black teak wood shadow box. This carving symbolizes the protection of the home....
Wood, Teak
French 18th Century Giltwood Framed Still Life Painting
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This lovely 18th-century framed French still life painting dripping with Rococo style was once above a large mirror making a trumeau. It most likely was taken from a room surrounded ...
Gold Leaf
French Terracotta Sculpture of a Classical Male
Located in Houston, TX
French terracotta sculpture of a classical male. This stunning French terra cotta sculpture of a classical Roman male is expertly executed ...
Terracotta, Wood
$3,780 / item
H 9 in W 36 in D 10 in
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Copper Corner Shelves, USA, in Stock
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural single copper metal minimal corner shelf is perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom. In stock: These Minimalist copper shelves,...
Copper
French Regency Style Relief Carved Wood Panel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
French Regency Style Relief Carved Wood Panel This wood panel measures: 39.25 wide x 2.5 deep x 31.5 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much ...
Wood
$1,355
H 20.48 in W 16.54 in D 1.19 in
Oil painting on canvas depicting a still life—18th century. Italy
Located in Parma, Emilia-Romagna
An 18th-century oil painting on canvas depicting a still life. Italy. This painting, set against a dark background, features a cascade of white grapes at the top and, below them, var...
Canvas, Paint
Pair of Reclaimed French Oak Hand Carved Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of reclaimed French oak hand carved panels. This pair of ornate panels carved in high relief were hand crafted in the late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1900. Centred wi...
Oak
19th Century French Directoire Wallpaper Panels with Vibrant Scenes
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
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
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
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
Four-Panel French Screen
Located in Houston, TX
Neoclassical four-panel screen, circa 1800. Painted canvas stretched on wooden frames. Presently separated and hung as art panels, the back is also painted and decorated so that it can be hinged and restored to it’s original use as a freestanding screen
Canvas, Paint
Pair of Directoire Silvered Bronze Portrait Medallions of Roman Emperors
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each of round form with profile portraits of Roman Emperors Auguste and Vespasian. In a giltwood frame.
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.
Pair Of Italian Gilt & Ebonized Wood Wall Brackets/Shelves
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Nice pair of Italian Gilt and ebonized wall brackets/shelves. Signed Made in Italy on the back.
Giltwood, Wood