Directoire Armchairs
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
Pair Of Antique French Directoire Period Painted Armchairs, Late 18th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
PAIR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS
A pair of extremely romantic chairs with carved frames, painted in a buttery cream paint with sap green and orange details. naturally worn ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Paint, Wood, Upholstery, Textile
French Directoire Style Swag Arm Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style swag arm chairs with sliver leaf accents upholstered in fine cut velvet on linen ground. Klismos styling to the front legs with heirloom quality coil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Silver Leaf
Louis XVI Cabriolet Armchair - Yellow and pinkish red toile de Jouy - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very charming Louis XVI / Directoire style cabriolet armchair from the Directoire period, 18th century.
This very pretty armchair is made of molded beech wood, with a curved back.
Th...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$766 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Arm Desk Chair Needlepoint Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
An early 20th Century French Directoire style dining chair. Made from solid mahogany with a contoured crest rail over vase shaped splat. Features scrolled arms, a pink needlepoint ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Tapestry, Mahogany
$750 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair of Directoire Style Caned Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of Directoire style caned armchairs with swan heads. Cushion done in a whimsical fabric with different breeds of dogs in canopy beds, etc.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
$2,950 / set
Pair of French Directoire Style Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of Directoire-Style Armchairs, Circa 1880 – Timeless Elegance in Mahogany
This stunning pair of Directoire-style armchairs, crafted around 1880, epitomizes the refined elegance...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair 18th Century Directoire Gold Parcel Gilt Painted Bergéres
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisite pair of late 18th Century Directoire bergères featuring parcel gilt detailing, faded sea green paint and upholstered in Velluto Sforza Venetian velvet fabric with outside b...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Directoire Armchair 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This nice chair of directoire style is characterized by straight and simple forms. The uprights are made of turned wood with floral motifs on the connecting dice (seat and armrests)....
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$746 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Paint Decorated French Louis XVI Style Directoire Armchairs Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Pair of Paint Decorated French Louis XVI Style Directoire Armchairs, Circa 1940, beautifully embodies the refinement and timeless appeal of French neoclassical design. Crafted w...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,596 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Antique Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Antique Directoire style painted armchairs, circa 1900. With triangular shaped crest rails flanked by acorn finials, down swept arms, elongated vase shaped arm supports, turn...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair is a superb example of late 18th-century French design, capturing the refined neoclassical elegance that defines the L...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800. The chairs have a subtle two-tone paint and have been upholstered in a raw silk-like material. The fabric on the seats and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina c1900
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Matched pair of French Directoire Armchairs. Incredible finish, or should I say lack of finish, whatever you preference the patination is wo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery
French Directoire Unique Fireplace Split Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully designed French Directoire canape highlighted with paint and water gilding.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$8,900 / set
Maison Jansen Style White Painted Upholstered French Directoire Desk Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style French Directoire desk armchair exudes timeless sophistication with its elegant white painted frame and refined proport...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th C. French Directoire Carved Walnut Armchair with Gold Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century French Directoire carved walnut armchair with white paint and gold velvet upholstery.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut, Paint
Pair Of Directoire Armchairs In White Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Directore armchairs in lacquered wood bench, trapezoidal backrest and jacob style legs, Seats covered with a beautiful bottle gr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Lacquer
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Set of 8 Directoire 1790-1810 France. A set of 8 armchairs made during the Directoire period 1790-1810 in France. Frame made in dark staine...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Birch
$32,000 / set
Late 19th Century Directoire Style Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 19th century Directoire style armchair with pegged construction. Newly upholstered in textured purple/white fabric with plum linen back. Shell details carved to back with s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Fine Pair Quality Paint Decorated French 1920s Era Directoire Louis XVI Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless Parisian sophistication into your home with this exquisite pair of French Louis XVI paint-decorated armchairs, a beautiful example of neoclassical elegance and fin...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Directoire Period Painted Armchairs after a Model by Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Directoire period: gray painted armchairs after a model by Jacob Desmalter . France: circa 1800 Seat height: 17 in.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Jansen Directoire
Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$3,950 / set
Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut Upholstered seat
Cane Back Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut with Upholstered seat with Cane Back Armchair in great vintage condition.
Measures 23" in width, 24" in depth and stands 36.5z" tall. Sea...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$1,121 Sale Price
25% Off
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut and Vienna Sraw Armchairs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of armchairs from the Directoire period, late 18th century.
The armchairs are made of solid walnut wood with a characteristic seat in Vienna straw wov...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Straw
$2,872 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Directoire Style Acorn Finials Solid Cherry Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
By Columbus Hickory Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Directoire Style Acorn Finials Solid Cherry Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Soft Blue and White Painted French Directoire Style Medium Size Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Directoire style armchairs offers a perfect balance of timeless design and modern comfort, making them an ideal addition to both traditional and contempor...
Category
1950s European Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Measures 23" in width , 24" in width, 37.5" in height. Seat height is 19" and low arm height is 21".
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Silk
$2,246 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful late 18th century of the period Directoire Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. The armchair is very elegant. The backrest decorated with a carved in wood is beau...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,046 Sale Price
23% Off
French Directoire Child
s Armchair
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century French Directoire Child's Armchair. Chair is finely carved and painted in soft tones with a timeworn patina that beautifully reflects its age. The armchair features eleg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 4 French Directoire Curled Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 French Directoire (19th Century) mahogany armchairs with scroll form arms and gold upholstered seat and back (PRICED AS SET)
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Gold
$6,500 / set
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Directoire Armchairs, Cherry, France circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of antique cherry armchairs
France
Cherry
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 87 x 58 x 49 cm, seat height: 43 cm
Description:
Pair of elegant and interestingly sha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Fantastic Shabby Distressted Multicolored Maison Jansen Style Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your interior décor with this fantastic shabby distressed multicolored Maison Jansen style armchair, a true statement piece blending classic elegance with rustic charm. Featu...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Four Directoire Armchairs, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four French armchairs made of solid mahogany with elegantly curved legs and a slightly rounded upholstered seat. The armrests slope down in a gentle curve and end on the extended leg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
$15,500 / set
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French mid-20th century Directoire style armchairs.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold
White Upholstery France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty beech armchair with a pretty tapestry in shades of gold and white in the Directoire style - 19th century
The very luminous white and gold upholstery makes it an elegant ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$957 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Of French Directoire Style Armchairs1930
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of French Directoire style painted armchairs, newly upholstered in stone coloured textured silk with gold scroll braid.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fruitwood
$3,409 / set
Art Deco Mid Century Modern Hollywood Regency French Directoire Lounge Armchairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Pair of curved bent open arm chairs from the forties. Created from beech, chairs have a clean, simple and elegant pleasing look. Large seats that are very comfortable, recen...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
20th Century Round Top Armchair in Silk Upholstery
Located in Sofia, BG
ARMCHAIR in natural wood, resting on fluted baluster legs.
Work of the 30s
France
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$1,424 Sale Price
50% Off
Set of 4 French Directoire Curled Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 French Directoire (19th Century) mahogany armchairs with scroll form arms and gold upholstered seat and back (PRICED AS SET)
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Gold
$6,500 / set
19th Century French Directoire Style Gilt Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire white painted open arm chair with gilt foliate decoration and shaped fluted arms, legs, and open fluted columns on back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Painted French Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These French Directoire style open arm chairs from around 1910 are a charming and elegant pair. With gently curved arms and delicate carved details, these chairs exude a timeless app...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$2,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century, French Louis XVI Style Six Wood Chairs and Two Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XVI style six wood chairs and two wood armchairs
France, late 19th century
Size: chairs, cm H back 90, seat height 46 x...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Painted Directoire Style Armchairs, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of French history known as Directoire was a difficult time, as it arrived at the end of the Revolutionary War. Furnishings in this style, such as our pair of painted armch...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on balust...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
French Directoire Ebonized Dolphins Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
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Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
French regency Italian style with Ebonized arms & carved dolphins desk...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$580 Sale Price
27% Off
Set of Four Directoire Mahogany Armchairs by Jacob Freres
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each upholstered backrest with backscrolled top rail above an upholstered seat flanked by arm rests, raised on ring-turned legs; each stamped JACOB FRERES / RUE MESLEE on back rail, three with old inked inscription M Julien...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Memphis Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Memphis style armchairs. Chairs are newly upholstered in linen. Has mahogany arms, a painted steel frame with circular bronze trim and bronze base.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze, Steel
$6,300 / set
Directoire Armchair, France 1800-1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover the elegance and historical charm of this Directoire armchair, originating from France around 1790. This piece showcases a meticulously carved walnut frame, reflecting the r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Directoire Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
These delicately proportioned 18th-century fauteuil armchairs exemplify the French Directoire style, each with a barreled back, and rosette finials a...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
$25,000 / set
Pair of French Directoire Period Fauteuils
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of French painted fauteuils, period Directoire, newly-upholstered in museum reproduction cotton toile fabric. Paint appears original.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$11,750 / set
Set Of Four French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant set of four French early 19th century Directoire st. Patinated wood armchairs. Each wonderful chair is raised by circular tapered front legs with two mottled bands and end...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880.
Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h.
Internal reference: JG11
Reference: 8063
Dimensions
28 inches (71 cms) Wide
30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover the elegance and historical charm of this Directoire armchair, originating from France around 1800. This piece showcases a meticulously carved walnut frame, reflecting the r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Directoire armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Henri Jacobs, and Jacob Freres Rue Meslée. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $636 and tops out at $37,900 while the average work can sell for $3,500.
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